Langdyke Countryside Trust and Wildlife Travel
25th Anniversary celebration trip to the Vercors with Sarah Lambert
May 26 – June 2, 2025
This is an exciting opportunity to visit one of the most nature-rich areas of France with a group of friends from the Langdyke Countryside Trust.
The holiday has been arranged by Wildlife Travel who are a company set up with the express aim of supporting nature conservation. Profits are donated to the Wildlife Trusts to support their work here in the UK.
They work with conservationists and conservation organisations at their destinations wherever and whenever possible, in order to support local wildlife conservation.
This trip will be led by Sarah Lambert, a Langdyke Trust board member who is an expert botanist and keen photographer with a good knowledge of other wildlife.
We will be based around the French regional natural park of Vercors which lies in the south-eastern part of the country, near the border with Italy. It incorporates the largest nature reserve in mainland France: around 17,000 ha. The area is part of the Pre-Alps limestone hills, which form a peripheral ring around the Alps, and our daily excursions will take us to explore the warm southern slopes. It is a superb area for sub-alpine flowers, which are easily accessible. The insects are impressive, with a fine array of butterflies and many of the specialities of southern Europe.
Wildlife Travel has had many enjoyable holidays in this area in the past, and we are delighted to be able to return once again. The holiday will appeal to anyone who wishes to enjoy wild flowers on pleasant walks through stunning scenery – plus there is the bonus of travelling by train rather than having to fly.
Our visit is timed to make the most of the natural history: late-May to June is the period when the best of the flowers bloom, butterflies are flying and many birds are still breeding. Along the way, we will keep our eyes peeled for the typical mammals of the high mountains: Alpine Ibex, Alpine Marmot and Chamois, while high altitude birdlife may include Golden Eagle, Citril Finch and Alpine Chough.
Further details of the holiday including price and booking arrangements can be found in this leaflet.
Main picture above features Lady’s Slipper Orchids