クールの峠・トップ7

Wonderful stage stop on my Camino https://huettemann.eu/de/2023/10/von-cluny-an-die-loire-berndscamino/

Col de Favardy alt 856m Departure from many trails

The pass of the pavilion culminates at 755 meters above sea level. The view of the western slope is quite unobstructed. I recommend a stop at the Le Pavillon hostel-hotel, which offers good food and allows you to take a break after climbing the pass.

The statue of Napoleon I is the work of a local man, Jean Molette (1819-1889).

Located on the watershed between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, the Écharmeaux pass offers an open panorama over the upper Azergues valley.

“Each of these crosses can tell its own story and what prompted people to erect “their” cross at this point. (...) These wayside crosses were erected as visible signs and attract the attention of many people. The cross is a symbol of life. It stands as a sign of our Christian hope and wants to direct our gaze to Jesus Christ, who has overcome death (...). The cross is part of our life as it was in the life of Jesus. So I wish that many people … visit the crosses, whether as places of stillness and breathing space before God, whether as places for community gatherings, prayer and praise to God.” (Text source: Dean Rainald M. Ollig in: “Crossroads. Small sacred monuments as a sign of popular piety")

Nice pass to do from the Azergues valley via St Nizier and the Col de la Croix Nicelle: until the Croix Nicelle the percentages are around 7/8% then the final flattens out. From Ranchal or from St Vincent de Reins via St Bonnet le Troncy, the climbs are less complicated but long because the pass is quite high at 862 m. The view at the top is non-existent but the forest atmosphere can be appreciable in foggy weather which gives it a mysterious atmosphere. Many gravel or mountain bike trails converge here and the GR7 passes by.

Here a statue of Napoleon looks out into the beautiful landscape. In front of it there is a flag and a drum. A nice photo opportunity.