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UCPA VERDON FACTS

Crags: 20 mins
Town: In village centre
Comfort:
Rooms: 4 - 10 persons
Sleeps: 49
Nearest Airport: Marseille Provence
Extras: Volleyball


Trip Reports

Check out some of the Trip Reports on our Blog for first hand accounts of what to expect from the UCPA

All Inclusive

All prices include:-

- Accommodation in Multi Share rooms
- All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
- Equipment Rental
- Instruction
- Any extra costs (i.e lift passes, course fees)

In fact, the only extra costs are transport, travel insurance and a few social beers!


Verdon (le)

Action Outdoors unfortunately only have time to offer 2 dates in 2011 (too many other locations) at this fantasic centre. However, we have made sure that we have picked a good time for both weather and temperatures - 12 Jun and 4 Sept. These set dates are simply to bring the English speaking nationalities together to help the UCPA instructors and staff. The dates are Sunday - Saturday.

Dates and Prices

Resort

In the heart of the Haute-Province Alps, the Verdon Gorge offers exceptional natural landscapes to explore. The Gorge has cliffs 300m high towering above the 30km canyon, it is an impressive sight whether you're a climber, kayaker, walker or rider. Whether this is your first time climbing or you can climb European grade 6a with ease, the week will introduce you to routes you didn’t think were possible. For those not accustomed to heights the alternative options are pretty good too – western riding, canyoning, mountain biking or a mixture of all!

The village of La Palud sur Verdon is very picturesque, chilled and naturally promotes a realxing week away. No lively bars or clubs but a very French ambience to be enjoyed by all nationalities!

Town Centre

Accommodation


UCPA Verdon


This is one of our smaller centres made up of two separate rustic “villas”. The accommodation is basic but has infinite charm with a fabulous courtyard for eating and socialising. Directly next to the villas are open fields with the hills beyond. Located in the amazing Verdon area you are in the heart of the best rock climbing in Europe. Non-climbers certainly don’t miss out as the gorge is the centre piece of a beautiful are of the countryside. Adrenalin sports are in abundance with canyoning, huge abseils and climbing at 8+ level available. Equally you can just relax and enjoy the hiking or horse riding trails instead. La Palun has several small bars and restaurants as well as a couple of small shops. The architecture is old and rustic in style.

The center only sleeps 49 people with 4 to 10 people in each room. Bathroomsa are shared.

Food description

The food is served buffet style each day.  Breakfast is yogurts, cereals, fruit juice, coffee and bread - don't be surprised to see that the coffee, tea or hot chocolate is taken French style - a soup bowl ! 

Typically lunch is a DIY picnic made up at breakfast time (great choice of breads, meats, cheeses, pasta, salad, fruit, sweets etc).  The picnic lunch means maximum time in the Gorge. 

Dinner is a 4 course buffet - typically a salad bar style starter, choice of 3 or 4 main courses - most often including fish, cheese selection, fruit, dessert and ice-cream  freezer.

Any special dietry requirements should be made known to reception staff at check-in.  Generally vegetarians will find a wide enough choice within the buffet.

Entertainment

The UCPA staff lay on an entertainment program each week.  It's certainly not Butlins and there is no pressure to take part - all quite low key. 

History

UCPA is more than 40 years old, and was originally set-up by the French government to encourage young people to enjoy the outdoors.  It is now a "not for profit" organisation with all profits being put back into refurbishing the centres.
The ethos of sport is still first on the agenda, but the instructors and centre staff don't forget that it is still your holiday.

Equipment Hire / Liftpasses

On an Action Outdoors - UCPA all-Inclusive holiday all the necessary equipment and any passes for your chosen course is included. The UCPA replace 50% of the equipment every year thus ensuring that the gear you recieve to work with is in very good condition.

Due to the vast array of summer sports on offer, please contact the centre directly if you would like to find out more information about the equipment - verdon@ucpa.asso.fr

 

Top Tips

Bring along a book to relax in the garden with a beer or two in the evenings!

How to get there

Arriving by plane
Closesr airport is Marseille Provence . Easyjet fly here from London Gatwick. Action Outdoors will contact people once booked to offer assistence with transfers. We recommend that people book the 07.40 LGW - MRS flight inbound and the 11.25 outbound flight to aid transfer arrangements. 

Otherwise, take the airport shuttle to Aix in Provence TGV .  No other means of transport other than car rentals are available at the train station TGV  though.

Arriving by car
From Aix in Provence , take the motorway towards Sisteron , exit Manosque and follow Valensole , Laugh, Moustier , the Palud . Carte Michelin N ° 84, 6 and 7 folds. Of Manosque in La Palud : 70 km = 1:30 .

From Sisteron , exit the motorway at Aubignoc and follow Chateau Arnoux (warning radar fixed 1 km after the exit) and Digne. Cross Malijai , Malemoisson and leaving the village turn right, The Chaffeau , Mézel (attention follow the well 50 km / h Radar binoculars to take you right before the exit sign Mézel ) Estoublon the Bégude , then head to Laugh at the entrance to Puimoisson turn left Moustier , Gorges Verdon and 3 km after Moustier left the Palud on Verdon .


Arriving by train via Aix in Provence TGV
Shuttle UCPA go: Aix in Provence - La Palud . The only shuttle ride to the Palud center UCPA the shuttle is organized by the center at 3:30 p.m. . No other means of transport other than car rentals at the train station TGV . Reservation required by email ( verdon@ucpa.asso.fr ) 3 days in advance at the center, to confirm your place in the bus.


Center access

The center is in the village (fully integrated). You have an entry in front of the school (small downward deadlock with a large wooden door at the bottom) and another entrance in front of the bar Lou cafe (small path staircase and terrace).

Maps

verdon