Le Bombé Bleu | 9b Sport route at Buoux

France / Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur / Vaucluse
UKClimbing.com | thecrag.com
Bolted by Marc Le Menestrel in 1991.

Le Bombé Bleu was a legendary project bolted by Marc Le Menestrel in 1991. In an era when chipping was prolific Marc wanted to keep the route unchipped, as a challenge for future generatons, and in return opened the project up for all to try. In 2026 Erwan Legrand, son of François Legrand, made the first ascent in a relatively quick 15 sessions.

The route consists of an easy intro section to a big ledge where you can rest completely. There is then a very hard boulder problem, originally tried as a morpho span from the right, but finally solved with a dyno from the left. This leads into a hard upper section of around 8c+/9a depending on whether you climb it with or without shoes!

Many big names dabbled on the route over the years, including Ben Moon, Fred Rouhling, Stefan Glowacz, Iker Pou, Chris Sharma, Nico Januel, Charles Albert, Nico Pelorson and Lucien Martinez. All made relatively modest progress, the hard dyno at the start of the route proving the major obstacle.

References

[1] https://www.planetmountain.com/en/news/interviews/interview-erwan-legrand-on-first-ascent-of-le-bombe-bleu-at-buoux.html

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91 contributions since 5th March 2025.

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French

9b No vote
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Ascents

1 successful ascent and 5 unsuccessful attempts recorded.

Climber Style Ascent Date Suggested Grade

Juraj made a highly improbable claim to having made the first ascent.

References

[1] https://www.grimper.com/news-defouraillage-bombe-bleu-equipe-grimper-decouverte-graal-escalade-video
First ascent. 15 sessions.

I instantly fell in love with the route. I'd heard so much about it, for so many years, and as soon as I finally touched the holds, I was completely obsessed. I also knew right from the beginning that I would be able to climb it one day, perhaps even the next winter if I trained properly.

...

Marc's vision was incredibile. He saw the line and wanted to bolt it because it's so beautiful, and when he tried the moves he imagined they would be possible one day. Not by him, but by someone much stronger, far in the future. At that time, chipping was more frequent, so it would have been easy to chip some holds and make it easier, but Marc didn't want this. And it became something like a "protected" project. His vision, his ethics made him leave the route exactly as mother nature created it, and I need to thank him for this. He was right. And so was everyone else who tried and left it as it is. It's the most perfect climb on the most beautiful holds with amazing moves in an incredible position. At my home crag Buoux, which even today still has many other hard projects for the future. I'm in paradise. [7]

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/DSTP2Z8ANtI/

[2] https://www.8a.nu/news/erwan-legrand-17-fas-beginning-of-the-strongness-9a-8tpfn

[3] https://www.instagram.com/reels/DVgp9iQjJWi/

[4] https://fanatic-climbing.com/erwan-legrand-libere-le-bombe-bleu-erwan-legrand-frees-le-bombe-bleu/

[5] https://www.grimper.com/news-erwan-legrand-fait-tomber-bombe-bleu-buoux-ecrit-page-histoire-escalade

[6] https://www.instagram.com/p/DV6eZeAjBBh/

[7] https://www.planetmountain.com/en/news/interviews/interview-erwan-legrand-on-first-ascent-of-le-bombe-bleu-at-buoux.html

Nico has done all the moves.

References

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dH9SI8IdRpI

Deep down inside I probably thought it wasn’t possible really, for me at least, although I did take some moulds of the pockets and made a replica back in the UK. I never succeeded on the replica. I did read about a few people trying it and doing all the moves which I was quite surprised to hear. It would be good to see someone finally do that route! It’s been there for a long time. [1]

References

[1] https://www.planetmountain.com/en/news/interviews/ben-moon-british-rock-climbing-legend-interview.html

References

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAJbCPUIShc