“Géobalade” training courses
Understand my land
Learn to read a plot of land: its bedrock, how it has changed, how fertile soil forms and whether groundwater is present.
I’ll teach you a naturalist’s method of observation, in the tradition of the field geologists of the past—you’ll come away with a skill, not a diagnosis or expert opinion. No binding conclusions are provided about whether land is buildable, its stability or its value. €450/day, excluding travel expenses (1-day minimum).
An introduction to local geology
Field days to develop your powers of observation: read landscapes, interpret geological clues and understand the major processes that shape the Earth.
For guides, local authorities, associations, nature enthusiasts, teachers and students (life and earth sciences curriculum). Available year-round. From €180/day/person in the Drôme Valley (minimum 1 day).
Leading geology walks
You bring your passion for the natural world and your own experience.
Hands-on mentoring in the field, most often in real-world settings: nature, ecology, geology and landscape reading.
We observe together, try things out, brief and debrief, and introduce theory when it makes sense—until your walk takes shape. From €180/day/person in the Drôme Valley (1-day minimum).
The number of training days required will be agreed together at the end of the first day.
Payment methods accepted on site: cash, cheque, credit/debit card (card terminal), Tap to Pay.
Cancellation policy Cancellation by the client: free up to 24 hours before the outing. After that, the full fee is due. Cancellation by Géobalade (weather, safety): full refund.
“Actually, wait... When scientific language reaches its limits, you can’t go any further with that language. I’m not speaking badly of it; scientific language has its merits, but it also has its limits. If you can go further with poetic language, it would be crazy not to. Paul Valéry did that in ‘Dialogue with the Tree’. I can’t think of many examples of something so powerful scientifically and so poetic at the same time.” — Francis Hallé, naturalist and botanist (France Culture, Francis Hallé series)