BOTANICAL HIKE

Learn about the medicinal and culinary plants of the Clarée Valley.

Nature provides us with precious riches in the form of wild plants that are both beautiful to look at and beneficial to our health and well-being. On our walks we learn a wide range of observation skills and how to recognise plants, from handsome edelweiss and orchids, to wild salad plants erroneously labelled weeds.

Wild plants used in cooking and for medicinal purposes were once known in France as ‘simples’. We are now starting to rediscover them to help with our well-being and these plants ‘de bonne fame’ (or ‘of good reputation’, which was subsequently corrupted to ‘de bonne femme’ or ‘old wives’ remedies’) are coming back into favour.

Yet nature is both generous and fragile, and we must respect the places we visit and the species we encounter and only take what we need at the time, to preserve these fabulous treasures and enjoy their breathtaking beauty again and again on our flower-themed hikes.

At various intervals during these fours days of hiking we will see different aspects of mountain flora, which we will be sampling together! The Clarée valley is a special place. Rich in a range of different species, it is surrounded by mountains that are home to many species of Alpine wildlife and we might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of some of them.

Trip includes:

- 5 nights full board accommodation, from Sunday evening to Friday morning

- 4 hikes in the company of Nathalie Sialve, state-accredited walking guide and phytologist-herbalist (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday morning)

- 1/2 day spent preparing plant-based products (Thursday afternoon)

- a map/guide to plants and their uses

- use of the sauna and spa

Dates: 17/06 to 22/06/12, 2/09 to 7/09/12     

Price : 760 €