Notre Dame de Constance

Notre Dame de Constance is the name of the chapel, high up on the hill behind Bormes les Mimosa.  A very steep and rocky climb from the ruins of the chateau above the village.   This is not a walk to undertake in the heat of the day.

Kylie and I set off early one morning in order to complete the circular walk.  We drove from the campsite to Bormes les Mimosas, and easily found a park, when only the street cleaners were about in the village.

As we climbed up the steep and rocky pathy we wondered how many pilgrims and such like had climbed up here during the last few centuries.  And who built the path? There were many shrines along the way.  I think there was a chapel here during Roman times so maybe the path dates back to that era.

The views were spectacular in the early morning light.  A very clear day.

We had many rest stops of course.  And plenty of rocks to sit on too.

A view out over the coast.

Rocks and cork oaks everywhere.  A very Australian scene really, except there would be Melaleuca trees rather than cork oak trees in Australia.

This photo is out of sequence!   Kylie standing in the deserted street and looking relaxed.  All ready to tackle the steep climb.

Feeling happy.  Finally at the top and time to have a rest on the wall of the lookout, with the circular map of the area in the middle.  I think the lookout started as a gun emplacement during WW2.

Wonderful views abound from this vantage point.  No wonder I am smiling.

Then off we went down, along a wide dirt track which meandered around the edge of the hill, with splendid views to the right.  Finally we come to a road which lead back to the picutresque village of Bormes les Mimosa.

This walk took about one and a half hours and was very pleasant in the coolness of the early morning.

Later on Aaron and Kylie walked up to the chapel of Notre Dame de Constance from another direction, which took considerably longer and was far more arduous.  They crossed the St Tropez road, opposite the campsite, and scrambled up the hill on an unofficial track, then walked along the ridge until they came to the little used Three Peaks walk, which took them along another ridge, and from there made the ascent to the chapel.  They then returned along the same track, and returned weary and hot, but very satisfied with their achievement.  A four hour walk all told.