engraved rocks continuation of the countless (4,500 listed) engravings of the nearby VALLEY OF WONDERS

 VERSION ANGLAISE des TEXTES sur les GRAVURES de la VALLEE des MERVEILLES

engraved rocks continuation of the countless (4,500 listed) engravings of the nearby VALLEY OF WONDERS

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REFUGE of VALMASQUE,

The magic of reflections in the early morning (Mercantour - Roya)

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AFTER an overnight stay at the REFUGE (Private) of FONTANALBE and contemplating the engraved rocks continuation of the countless (4,500 listed) engravings of the nearby VALLEY OF WONDERS, past the ridges of SAINTE MARIE, it is the descent of the valley leading to the REFUGE of VALMASQUE. .

The LAKES take place, punctuating this steep-sided valley leading to VALMASQUE. 

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-V-M-  1  - VALMASQUE - The REFLECTIONS, the mirror of the lakes 

-V-M-  2  -  Engraved rocks - VALLEY OF WONDERS

-V-M-  3  - PANTHÉON DOGON and GRAVURES of Wonders

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Engraved rocks continuation of the countless (4,500 listed) engravings of the nearby

VALLEY OF WONDERS

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Our visits to the VALLÉE des MERVEILLES site
(Parc du Mercantour ) commune of Saint Dalmas de Tende
Valley of the ROYA – Department of the Maritime Alps – Southern Region (Paca) - France. .
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In 65 years of 'mountain life', I visited this fascinating site 7 times, combining a landscape of altitude peaks with the mown grasslands of dozens of lakes and, best of all, home to more than 40,000 engravings probably made at 'the copper age' (Chalcolithic). . The CHAMOIS is frequent there, the GENEPI present, the MARMOT and the FOX are also present, browsing bouquets of AROLES (CEMBRO Pines) and exuberant flora!. . .

The first time, it was in 1967, or still as a teenager, I accompanied my father there, we had spent a full day photographing dozens of reddish boulders on which were spread punched engravings. . No restriction and in complete freedom, freedom unfortunately lost nowadays.

I returned there with my own children in 1986, still without restriction; then in 1987 with a group of Montpellier hikers crossing, in the snow from the REFUGE of NICE.
then in 1997 supervising a group of hikers staying abroad and undergoing the current access restrictions; I came there again in 1999 with my partner .. . 
then twice in 2014 and then 2016 there supervising groups of Dignois hikers from the Asptt Club . . .

During 4 of his visits, I added the ascent of MOUNT BEGO, the lair of the God of Thunder and Waters .. .  
And each time I succumbed to the charm of this beautiful Alpine valley!

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The REFLECTIONS, the mirror of the lakes 

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The heat exchanges between CRESTS and VALLEY BOTTOM

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In the mountains, air constantly circulates between peaks and valleys, creating a very characteristic system of regular winds.

The valley breeze (Ascendant)

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During the day, the slopes are quickly warmed by the sun. The air at their contact heats up in turn, becomes lighter and rises. This upward movement attracts the air from the bottom of the valley to the top: 

- one then speaks of a valley breeze, a wind rising towards the ridges which can become quite strong in the afternoon.

The RIDGE BREEZE

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At night, the phenomenon reverses. 

The slopes cool down quickly, much faster than the bottom of the valley. The air in contact with these slopes cools down, becomes heavier and slides downwards. 

- This downward flow forms the mountain breeze, a cold wind that sweeps down the slopes and accumulates at the bottom of the valley.

The wind tide, vat and comes incessant . . .

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These daily exchanges create a true breathing of the mountain atmosphere. They influence the local weather, the formation of clouds, the dispersion of pollutants and even the thermal comfort of the inhabitants.

In certain steep-sided valleys, these breezes can be amplified by the configuration of the reliefs, becoming regular, often predictable winds. 

This cycle, apparently simple, plays an essential role in the climate of alpine regions and in daily life at altitude in all mountain ranges.

For the photographer desiring to capture fleeting reflections on the face of often agitated lakes, it is necessary to take advantage of the few minutes where atmospheric exchanges balance out, the lakes becoming fleetingly perfect mirrors.

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The RAVAGES of the STORM 'ALEX - (October 2, 2020)

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The Valley of the ROYA was terribly affected by a real hurricane called "  ALEX "the significant ravages, the victims by the hundreds, many deaths, we are appalled and the most beautiful act of solidarity towards its inhabitants is to visit it to help with its reconstruction, DO IT!

Following the passage of storm Alex on October 2, 2020, road infrastructure is being restored in several places.  For any information about road access:

CONTACT --->  https://www.inforoutes06.fr

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Engraved rocks continuation of the countless (4,500 listed) engravings of the nearby

VALLEY OF WONDERS

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VALLEY OF WONDERS
The MYTHS 'DOGONS' a possible explanation of the myths of our ancestors from the Bronze Age, authors of the engravings.
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A surprising parallel between

PANTHÉON DOGON and GRAVURES of Wonders
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The rock carvings of MONT BEGO dating back to the Bronze Age seem to evoke the 'water god' of the Dogon cosmogony, as revealed to us " Marcel Griaule ", descending from heaven to earth in an ark where he brought everything that lives, as well as the various techniques necessary for the survival of men, which he was going to teach them by word, notably:

- agriculture. He manifests himself here as a god-bull who is at the same time a god-dagger, this example without equal, and

- "ophiolatry " (cult of snakes) allowing itself to be brought back to a primitive cult of stone and the mountain.

- The souls of the deceased came to ask him, as at the mountain dominating the Dogon country in the north, for the supply of water required for their long journey into the afterlife.

- Saint Michel, traditional patron of the county of Nice, indicates that his pagan predecessor anthropomorphized himself in the ‘God Mercury Gaulish”:
- God " psychopomp "(guide of souls), assuming as well the warrior aspect of Mars or Hercules ("Ogmios"), he remained a deity of water and rock, bearer of the "word", inventor of the Celtic writing ( "ogam").

Notes on the DOGONS 

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The DOGONS are a people from the current MALI ( Sahelian Africa ) and are known for their habitat and customs related to the cliffs of Bandiagara; The cliffs of Bandiagara offered a natural refuge from invaders and allowed the Dogon to practice their religious and social traditions in relative isolation. This difficult-to-access environment has contributed to the conservation of their lifestyle and ancestral beliefs. The cliffs themselves, with their caves and altitudes, have shaped many aspects of Dogon life, ranging from agriculture to religious rituals.

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Vous constatez une anomalie, un dysfonctionnement, une erreur,

soyez sympa de nous l'indiquer ! 

 CONTACT ---> ICI ( merci )

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BIENVENUE et bonnes visites

Bienvenue dans cet espace entièrement dédié au tourisme pédestre , et un grand merci à nos nombreuses et nombreux lecteurs , vos commentaires et visites nous aident à progresser . Cet espace est entièrement dédié à la découverte des terroirs, des villes et villages et des montagnes et forêts de nos régions et de celles de nos voisins Européens ; des liens vous guident fréquemment vers des dossiers plus détaillés . Alors mettez vos pieds dans nos traces pour savourer nos paysages - BONNES VISITES – MARS 2026 .

issu(e)s de 26 Pays vous êtes au jour de cette mise à jour 358 739 à lire nos articles ( 3 blogs ) et vous avez parcouru 707 847 articles - Merci de votre fidélité et de votre intérêt .

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Welcome to this space entirely dedicated to foot tourism , and a big thank you to our many and many readers , your comments and visits help us to progress . This space is entirely dedicated to discovering the terroirs, towns and villages and the mountains and forests of our regions and those of our European neighbours; links frequently guide you to more detailed dossiers . So put your feet in our footsteps to enjoy our landscapes - GOOD VISITS - MARCH 2026 .

from 26 Countries you are at the day of this update 358 739 to read our articles ( 3 blogs ) and you have gone through 707 847 articles - Thank you for your loyalty and your interest .

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