Heading south from Lyon in south-eastern France, an awe-inspiringmassif of jagged limestone loomsinto view. Framed perfectly by theresplendent snow-capped Alps in thedistance, and the deep Isère Valley in theforeground, the Vercors Regional NaturePark is an area of exceptional beauty.Incorporating France's largest naturereserve - the splendid Hauts Plateaux -this is one of the oldest 'Nature Parks' inFrance and a most interesting region forthe visiting naturalist. We will explore itsthousands of hectares of unspoiledcountryside on this holiday, focusing onthe rich and varied fauna and flora of themassif's deep limestone gorges, highsummits (dominated by the GrandVeymont at 2,341 metres) and vastexpanses of forest. From our base in LaChapelle, a delightful village in the heart ofthe massif, we are within easy strikingdistance of the many rich habitats which,after centuries of glacial and then fluvialerosion, form a harmonious limestonelandscape of damp, flower-filled meadowsalternating with majestic vertical cliffs andhigh wooded plateaux.One of the highlights of our week will be aday spent in the Hauts Plateaux naturereserve in the company of a local guide. This wild area, in many respects unique inEurope, consists of a patchwork ofmeadows, moorlands, forests and highmountain ridges, shaped by savagewinters and centuries of forestry andgrazing. A small, pioneering population ofWolves, presumed to have recently re-colonised this part of France from theItalian Alps, hides in the vast Silver Fir(Abies alba) and Mountain Pine (Pinusuncinata) forest, their presence betrayedonly by tracks left in the extensive wintersnows. Griffon Vulture, Golden Eagle,Peregrine, Black Grouse, Ring Ouzel,Firecrest, Crossbill, Citril Finch andperhaps even a Tengmalm's Owl or BlackWoodpecker are amongst the avianpossibilities here, whilst the alpine flora isat its dazzling best at this time of year. The pretty winter ski station of Font d'Urleprovides an unusual backdrop to beautifulalpine meadows carpeted with wildpansies, gentians, wild tulips andsnowbells. The path to Pont d'Urle leadsus through an unspoiled alpine habitatwith stunning views south across the Forêtde Quint. We must keep our eyes openhere for Chough, Alpine Chough, GoldenEagle, Rock Thrush, Water Pipit and AlpineMarmot. The numerous limestone cliffs inthe Vercors attract resident Wallcreepers,and one or two of our picnic spots makeideal points from which to scan for thissought-after species. On the drier, sunnier southern slopes, Rock Sparrowsbreed, while Short-toed Eagles glide andhover overhead hunting for snakes.Orphean and Subalpine Warblers and the attractive Ortolan Bunting, too, will also be amongst our targets during thispart of our holiday.The Vercors is one of the very few regionsin western Europe harbouring six speciesof wild ungulates - Ibex, Chamois, RedDeer, Roe Deer, Mouflon and Wild Boar all occuring here. Whilst these animalsinvariably remain elusive in the woodedareas, they may sometimes be seen onthe higher, rocky slopes. Smallercarnivores such as Fox, Badger and Pine Marten are well represented, whileMountain Hare, a relict from the Ice Age, is confined to the high mountainridges. We will look for some of thesesmaller mammals in the freshly cut haymeadows at dusk.It is perhaps the stunning flora, however,with several rare orchids present in anoverall list of 64 species, for which theVercors massif is best known. Thespectacular Lady's Slipper Orchid isrelatively common in the fir and beechforests, and we will look for the endemicOphrys bertoloniissp. drumanain the drier Mediterranean climate of theGervannes. Orchis spitzelii, ToothedOrchid (Orchis tridentata) and, on ourlater tour, Ghost Orchid (Epipogiumaphyllum) will all provide excitement during our walks and picnic lunches,throughout what promises to be a varied and enjoyable week in this, one of the most beautiful regions of France.France - The VercorsAn 8-day holiday in search of birds, plants, mammals and butterflies in the Vercors massif,a spectacular area in the heart of France's Dauphiné region on the doorstep of the Alps.Sunday 13th May - Sunday 20th May Cost: £1,195 (by train)Sunday 20th May - Sunday 27th May Cost: £1,195 (by air)Wednesday 18th July - Wednesday 25th July Cost: £1,295 (by air)Book direct on 01962 733051or see page 280 for Booking InformationSPAINITALYSWITZERLANDGERMANYBELGIUMLA BRENNECALAISLYONGRENOBLEVERCORSPARISTOURSPOITIERSTOULOUSEBORDEAUXFRENCHALPSSTRASBOURGENGLISH CHANNELATLANTIC OCEANMEDITERRANEANSEAFRANCEOutline itineraryDay 1Train, or fly, Lyon.Day 2/7Natural historyexcursions in theVercors.Day 8Train, or fly, London.Accommodation A pleasant and traditional villagehotel, with pool and privatefacilities, serving good local food.Food All included in the price.Grading Grade A. Easy walks only.Focus Birds, plants, mammals andbutterflies.LeadersAlan Miller (ornithologist) and PaulHarmes (botanist).Single room supplement£140 (£160 in July).ExtensionsAvailable on request.Web quick search: FRA16 and FRA2359Cirque d'ArchianeTengmalm's OwlLady's Slipper Orchid

The Dordogne, one of themajor rivers of France, risesfrom just below Puy Sancy, inthe mountains of the Auvergne,and enters the Bay of Biscay bymeans of the Garonne estuarynear Bordeaux. However, it is atthe middle of its course, amongst theheartlands of rural southern France, that itis at its most beautiful, meandering sopeacefully through wide limestone gorgesand rolling hills bedecked with dense oakwoodlands. Here, stunning ochre-colouredstone hamlets nestle in the valleysamongst walnut trees and fields of maizeand sunflowers, whilst large villages clingprecariously to the riverside cliffs or perch fortress-like atop hills and ridges,often huddling around an 18th centurychateau or the ruins of a castle datingback to the Hundred Years War withEngland.During our week-long holiday we will bebased near Rocamadour, a spectacularmedieval village, abbey and castle builtinto the side of a cliff. Choosing a verypleasant village hotel, we will enjoy goodlocal food and wines, and explore - asmuch as possible on foot - the variedhabitats of the surrounding countryside. Inlate May this unspoilt and lovely part ofFrance is a veritable paradise for the keennaturalist. Birds are everywhere, butterfliesand other insects abound, whilst abewildering array of flowering plantsprovide a sea of colour in meadows,hedgerows and woodland glades. This issouthern England in the days beforeintensive farming and suburban sprawl .only with twice the number of species! One of the reasons for this great diversityis the varying density of the underlyinglimestone, a characteristic of thislandscape being the spectacular cliffs,formed where the river's course has beenimpeded by harder rock. Such brokencountry suits many birds of prey, includingboth Red and Black Kite, Honey Buzzard,Hobby, Peregrine, harriers, and even theoccasional Booted Eagle, as well as CragMartin and Alpine Swift. These limestonegorges also support a very rich flora, withorchids being particularly well represented.Most noticeable perhaps, with abundantlarge spikes, are the strange but beautiful Lizard Orchids, but Man, Military, Lady,Monkey, Burnt-tip, Bee and Fly Orchids areplentiful, together with Red, Sword-leavedand White Helleborines. Many other rareand beautiful plants can also be found,which helps explain the abundance of themany butterflies on the wing at this time ofthe year. Comma, Southern White Admiral,Cleopatra, Swallowtail, Scarce Swallowtail,Large Tortoiseshell, and numerousdifferent fritillaries and blues are just a fewof the species we should see. Away from the river, the alkaline rocks haveeroded to form a stony, mineral-rich redsoil that encourages woodland, sparsegrazing and just a few small cultivatedfields. This is a rolling landscape of smallvillages and subsistence farming,absolutely brimming with wildlife. Flowerybanks are everywhere, with more orchidsand other plants, including Field Eryngo(Eryngium campestre), Meadow Clary(Salvia pratensis), Hoary Mullein(Verbascum pulverulentum) and White Flax(Linum suffruticosum), present. The rarecornfield weeds, Cornflower (Centaureacyanus), Corn Buttercup (Ranunculusarvensis) and Corn Cockle (Agrostemmagithago), can also sometimes be found inthe small fields. This pastoral landcape isthe ideal country for Hoopoe, GoldenOriole, Wryneck, Melodious Warbler andmore birds of prey, while the beautifulsong of the Nightingale seems to emanate from practically every piece ofscrub. Butterflies and other insects areagain very abundant, whilst Sand, Green,Viviparous and Wall Lizards scamper awayfrom our footsteps. A little to the north-east of our base we willalso explore the area where the riveremerges from the hard volcanic rocks ofthe Massif Central plateau, to flow throughthe charming small market towns ofArgentat and Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne. Thepredominant schist and sandstone rockshere give rise to acid soils, with a mixtureof oak and Sweet Chestnut woodland,sandy heathland and damp boggy areasso markedly different in character from thehabitats of our previous forays. Goshawkand Cirl Bunting are particularly frequenthere, and we have a chance of an elusiveHawfinch or Firecrest. The flora is not sorich, but specialities like Summer Lady'sTresses (Spiranthes aestivalis) and SpikedRampion (Phyteuma spicatum) are likely tobe seen. There is also a rare outcrop ofSerpentine rock which has its owninteresting flora. This holiday offers the chance to enjoy agreat diversity of species amongst idyllicrural scenery of a character which is fastdisappearing from the rest of Europe. Italso provides the opportunity to view andappreciate the superb architecture of thisregion, while also, of course, sampling thegastronomic delights of the food and drinkfor which it is justifiably famous. Dordogne River ValleySouthern White AdmiralBooted Eagle60Call now or visit www.naturetrek.co.uk for your free Trip ItineraryOutline itineraryDay 1Fly Toulouse and driveto the Dordogne.Day 2/7Daily programme ofnatural history walksand excursions in theDordogne region.Day 8Fly London.Accommodation A charming rural hotel with privatefacilities, serving excellent localfood.Food All included in the price.Grading Grade B. Day walks only.Focus Plants, birds and butterflies.LeaderMark Galliott.Single room supplement£150.ExtensionsAvailable on request.Web quick search: FRA13France - The DordogneAn 8-day holiday in search of the plants, birds and butterflies of an unspoilt and idyllic region of rural France.Sunday 20th May - Sunday 27th May Cost: £1,195SPAIN ITALY SWITZERLAND GERMANY BELGIUM CALAIS PARIS ROCAMADOUR DORDOGNEVALLEYTOULOUSE BORDEAUX FRENCH ALPS MASSIF CENTRAL STRASBOURG ENGLISH CHANNEL ATLANTIC OCEAN MEDITERRANEAN SEA FRANCE PYRENEES LOT VALLEY