The original plan was a bit more challenging hike (9K with D+/D- ~700m): a loop from Val Pelouse (1689m) to Refuge de la Perrière (1853m) , Col de la Perrière (1984m) and Source du Gargoton (1634m), and back to Val Pelouse. Because of the road closure some five kilometers before the  parking of Val Pelouse, we had to park farther away, and take a short (3K) and very steep (D+ 466m) path to the trail head. This meant altogether six additional kilometers first to reach the trail head and then to return to the car. When at the refuge we decided that, instead of doing the whole loop, we were going to return the same way. However,  in the end when going down we took  a bit more humane trail than we took when coming up. We walked 11.3K in 4h 30 mins, with 755 meters of ascent and descent. If we had done the whole loop, it would have taken us at least four more hours.

The goal of this hike was not only to enjoy the scenery while getting some exercise, but also to escape the extreme heat in the town that has been bugging us for weeks. It was +24°C in the town when we left, but only +18°C when we started hiking. It was probably from eight to ten degrees warmer when we returned to the car,  but by no means as hot as it was in the town in the afternoon (+35°C). Since we are again under the alert for extreme heat, and the temperatures are forecast to rise towards the end of the week, we will likely escape to the mountains also next weekend. If we return to this same area, we likely will bring with us containers to pick blueberries and raspberries; there were plenty of them although they were somewhat small. But anyway, tens of people had come there to pick them.