Whether you come via le col de l'Homme Mort, les monts de l'Amaron or more likely from Villes-sur-Auzon via le col des Abeilles, you will be struck by the vastness of the plateau and the force of these highlands !

Situated between the mountains of Lure, Luberon and the magic Mont Ventoux - whose silhouette is ever-present- the Albion plateau is characterised by lavender fields and bories of Ferrassières, vasts forests of pine trees, beech trees and notably the age-old oak trees nearby Saint Trinit, flocks of sheep and goats, big cereal farmings and deep potholes around Saint Christol d'Albion.

Hotspot for potholing

The Albion plateau, with more than 400 sinkholes is one of the most important karstic massifs in France. Among these abysses, the “Autran” goes over 600 metres of depth. At the bottom of the “Trou Souffleur” 980 metres of depth runs the Albion river among other underground rivers supplying the remarkable exsurgence of Fontaine de Vaucluse.

The military past of Albion plateau

During 25 years, from 1971 to 1996, Saint Christol was the basis for the French missile defence system with its nuclear warheads pointed towards the sky to ensure the security of the French territory during the Cold War. This strike force has been distmantled since and today the basis shelters the French Foreign Legion.

See also