Calern Plateau (Plateau de Calern)

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Sites > Plains > Calern Plateau      

Nearby:  | CERGA Observatory | Le Bar-sur-Loup 24 km | Caussols Plateau 3 km | Cipières 24 km | Gorges-du-Loup 27 km | Gourdon 12 km | Grasse 26 km | Pont-du-Loup 27 km | Saint Vallier-de-Thiey 14 km |

You can reach the Calern Plateau by driving up from Grasse, either via St Vallier-de-Thiey or the perched village of Gourdon. From either, a road climbs up to the Plateau de Caussols, and then a narrow 3-km road continues on up to Calern. At the top is a parking area at the end of the road, amidst the telescopes and lasers of the CERGA observatory. The southern side of the Calern Plateau is bordered by a long cliff overlooking the Calern plateau and the rest of the countryside, all the way to the Mediterranean.

The only buildings here, located near the parking area, belong to the CERGA Observatory. The area near the observatory looks a bit like a moonscape, with white, domed buildings scattered around the white, rocky terrain.

The plain stretches out to the north. In the summer time, the fields of yellow grass and long rows of white rock are offset by dark green bushes with dark, purple-blue flowers. To the nortwest, the land rises to the 1456-m hill, Sommet de Calern. If you turn and look south, from the edge of the plain, you have a tremendous view of the valleys below, and beyond them the hills that stretch away to the coast. You'll often see in the distance the bright-colored hang-gliders soaring out above Gourdon.

In the area near the observatory, low, discreet panels show pictures and give information about the local flora and fauna. The are panels for different plants and birds, "carabe" beetles, frogs, vipers (small and timid) and bories.

Archaeology.
The rocks in the surrounding area also have many fossils. Spiral snail fossils are so plentiful, you'll only keep the nicer ones. My son once found a complete fish skeleton about 10 cm long, and we're not even amateur fossilers.

Quiet Model Planes.
At the edge of the cliffs to the east of the road is a site for flying radio-controlled model planes. They are wonderful to watch, and so quiet they do not disturb the peaceful surroundings. They are long-winged sailplanes; no motor-driven planes are allowed.