Ubaye Valley and Barcelonnette: what not to miss
Ubaye Serre – Ponçon
Discover the charming village of Saint Vincent les forts and Bréole in Ubaye Serre-Ponçon, nestled in an enchanting setting that will immerse you in a blue universe. With its striking panoramic views of the azure sky and the turquoise waters of the lake, you will be amazed as soon as you arrive in the Ubaye Valley. From Saint-Vincent-les-Forts, enjoy a unique view of the lake and the valley. This picturesque village, perched at an altitude of 1,300 meters and fortified by Vauban, is a true paradise for paragliding enthusiasts.
The shores of Lake Serre-Ponçon offer a peaceful and serene atmosphere, ideal for starting your boat trips or relaxing. The small coves and beaches of the lake await you for unforgettable moments.
Essential:
- Lake Serre-Ponçon, a sea in the mountains
- The Vauban tower in the village of Saint-Vincent-les-Forts, built in 1696, was once a military observation and surveillance point.
- Bird's-eye view of Lake Serre Ponçon and the magnificent sunsets
Activities not to be missed:
- Enjoy the turquoise waters of Lake Serre-Ponçon for a refreshing swim.
- Go hiking on the trails of the GR de pays “Tour du lac de Serre-Ponçon”.
- Take off for a paragliding experience and discover the region from the sky.
- Explore the Saint-Vincent-les-Forts nature and heritage trail, a fun walk to discover the village and its Vauban tower.
Heart stroke :
Spend a memorable day by the water at Lake Serre-Ponçon, the perfect place for a family vacation. Swimming, boat rides and water activities will delight young and old, for a day of relaxation and fun with your feet in the water!
Le Lauzet Ubaye
Located at the foot of the majestic mountains, the village of Lauzet-Ubaye is located at the entrance to the Ubaye valley. Its charming little natural lake with emerald waters, which reflect the mountain peaks: the Séolanes, is a true wonder of nature. The village is full of cultural and natural riches which promise captivating visits and discoveries. Considered as the capital of whitewater sports like rafting you can brave the tumultuous rapids of the Ubaye. Hikes or bike rides await you to fully enjoy the surrounding beauty.
To discover :
- The Roman bridge, an architectural treasure built in the Middle Ages, classified as a Historic Monument.
- The impressive Costeplane waterfalls.
Activities not to be missed:
- Enjoy a day at the lake by swimming, walking or renting a pedal boat.
- Go hiking: from the Costeplane waterfalls to the Col Bas lakes, the routes are numerous and varied.
- Try white water sports such as rafting, kayaking, hydrospeed for a dose of adrenaline and a good time with crazy water rafting.
Favorites :
- Explore the tunnels of the old railway line which lead to the banks of the lake, travel there on foot or by bike for a unique experience.
- Rafting and live sport with Crazy Water Rafting
Barcelonnette
Discover Barcelonnette and let yourself be enchanted by its special atmosphere. You will be pleasantly surprised by its Mexican villass, witnesses to a significant era in the city's history, the lively square full of charm and the historic center with warm colors. The pedestrian center offers you many restaurant options and a variety of shops. Barcelonnette invites you into its streets to explore its captivating past.
Must-sees:
- The “Mexican” villas: as you walk through the city center and on the heights, you will be fascinated by the sumptuous so-called “Mexican” villas. To learn more about their remarkable history, don't miss a guided tour.
- The Valley Museum: in the Sapinière park, discover the extraordinary stories of Ubaye and Barcelonnette. This museum offers a true cultural journey not to be missed.
Activities to do:
- The Promenade du Verger: this walk, departing from the city center, will take you to the heights of Barcelonnette. You can enjoy superb views of the Ubayan capital and its “Mexican” villas. It’s an easy walk with educational stops.
- The Barcelonnette golf course: near the city center, the Bois Chenu golf course invites you to recharge your batteries. Come and perfect your swing while admiring the emblematic peaks of the Ubaye Valley.
Heart stroke :
- Take the time to stroll through the streets of the city center and enjoy the sunny terraces of Place Manuel for a special moment of relaxation
Meolans Revel
Discover the charm and privileged location of Méolans-Revel. This destination offers a variety of sporting activities for all tastes, such as hiking, water sports, fishing, climbing and cycling. Whether you are an amateur or experienced sportsman, you will find what you are looking for there! You will also be surprised by the atypical Saint-Dule bell tower, perched on a monumental rock.
In addition, Méolans-Revel is full of other treasures to discover:
- The Laverq valley, with its ancient 12th century abbey, a true paradise between history and nature.
- The Saint Julien bell tower dating from the 14th century, which dominates the Ubaye from its rock and gives the village its original character.
You will not run out of activities to do:
- Hiking in the Laverq valley with trails for all levels, from short family walks to longer hikes like Eaux Tortes (5h45).
- Take advantage of the Rioclar lake to relax and have fun, whether by mountain bike on the pump track or by walking along the Ubaye.
Our favorite
Is the Maison du Bois, an eco-museum which promotes the entire woodworking sector and trades. You will be able to participate in a demonstration workshop. In summer, don't miss a visit to the old hydraulic sawmill!
Les Thuilles
Discover Les Thuiles, a charming village located at the foot of a hill which descends towards the Ubaye river, offering a breathtaking view of the majestic Grande Séolane, symbol of the valley. Its name comes from the old pottery factories that once populated the region. Today, it is made up of several hamlets scattered in terraces along the mountains, providing an ideal starting point for magnificent nature hikes. You can also immerse yourself in its cultural heritage by strolling through its sloping streets, where you will discover chapels, a mill and sundials.
Points of interest to visit:
- The Saint Martin de Tours church: dominating the village since 1525, this church has a square bell tower and a lauze roof.
- The Saint Jean Baptiste chapel: located in the hamlet of Prats, it houses a precious silver ciborium dating from the 18th century, classified as a Historic Monument.
Activities to do:
- Hike on the hamlet circuit: a pleasant 2-hour walk through the woods, taking you from the relaxation area to the hamlet of Clot Meyran.
- Mountain bike route on a section of the Transubayenne: this exceptional 100 km route crosses the Ubaye Valley. You can cycle through the Gimette larch forest to reach the town of Méolans-Revel.
Heart stroke :
Don't miss out on relaxing at the leisure area located near the heart of the village. You will find facilities for the whole family: equipped water point, play cabins, barbecues, interpretation terminals, balance course, pétanque court and picnic tables. Enjoy a pleasant day in the shade of the trees!
Saint Pons
Saint-Pons stands out as one of the first villages in the Valley, highlighting its architecture and its rich preserved cultural heritage. Its remarkable church, one of the oldest in the Ubaye region, as well as its wash house and its old buildings, give it an authentic character. The peaceful atmosphere and pure mountain air permeate Saint-Pons. In the middle of its green meadows, its fir forests and with the high peaks of Ubaye in the background, the village offers multiple opportunities to disconnect and constitutes a starting point for numerous walks and hikes for nature lovers. nature.
The essentials of Saint-Pons:
- The Church of Saint-Pons: this church, built in the 12th century, partially destroyed and rebuilt in the 15th and 16th centuries, is among the oldest Romanesque churches in the valley. It has been classified as a Historic Monument since 1912.
Activities not to be missed:
- First flight in a glider, plane or ULM from the aerodrome.
- Hiking: trails such as La Pare, Crête des Cognetons, Le Puy Bas, offer options for all walkers, from young to old!
- A family day out in the Terres Neuves leisure area with activities such as mini golf, adventure course, rafting, and bouncy castles.
Our favorite :
- The Sentier du Riou Bourdoux: an educational walk which allows you to discover the developments of the torrent. An enriching experience for those curious about nature and the environment.
Jausiers
Located at the gateway to Haute-Ubaye and the Mercantour National Park, Jausiers offers a sumptuous setting, with the Col de la Bonnette in the background. As you stroll through its streets and squares, the village will make you discover its rich historical past. The distinctive architecture of the famous Mexican villas gives Jausiers a unique charm.
What to see in Jausiers:
- The Château des Magnans, the most famous of the “Mexican” villas, whose exterior and grand staircase can be discovered during a guided tour.
- The Saint-Nicolas-de-Myrhe Church, classified as a Historic Monument.
- The panorama from the summit of Bonette (2,802 m), offering a breathtaking view of the surrounding area.
Activities to do:
- Enjoy walks to the villages of Bouzoulière or Saint-Flavie, to discover the surrounding beauty.
- Make a local shopping stop at the Maison de Pays de l'Ubaye, to discover local products.
Our favorite :
- The sundial of the Saint-Étienne Church with its motto from 1878, which indicates the time, latitude, declination and advance of the sun in relation to Paris! A marvel not to be missed during your visit.
Uvernet – Pra loup
Uvernet-Fours is located at the entrance to the Bachelard gorges, at the foot of the Cayolle and Allos passes, thus providing a crossroads to many legendary routes. You will be delighted to travel these roads and discover, kilometer after kilometer, the charm of the hamlets that make up the village. During your walks and hikes, you will be amazed by the exceptional natural heritage of Uvernet, as well as that of its Pra Loup station.
What to see in Uvernet-Fours:
- The summits of the Allos and Cayolle passes, offering incredible landscapes that you can climb by car, motorbike or bicycle.
- The old silk mill, located on the “boucle du Bachelard” walk.
Activities to do:
- Discover the Pra Loup resort, with its hiking routes, its bike park and its sunny terraces.
- Hike on the town's trails such as La Malune, Rocher Jaumas, the Boucle du Bachelard or the Sentier des écoleliers.
- Take a ride on the “Praloops” rail sled.
Our favorite :
- Enjoy a refreshing break on the banks of Bachelard, with its crystal clear water and natural beaches that invite relaxation.
Faucon-de-Barcelonnette
Falcon-de-Barcelonnette, ancient Gallo-Roman capital of the Ubaye Valley, is the oldest village in the region. It preserves many testimonies of its past, including the Church of Saint-Étienne, the Convent of the Trinitarians and the Clock Tower. The village was a high religious place in the Ubaye valley and has historic buildings.
What to see in Faucon-de-Barcelonnette:
- The Clock Tower, the village's flagship monument built in the 11th century on the basis of an old Romanesque church.
- The Saint-Étienne Church, rebuilt in 1872, with a beautiful fresco representing the Assumption of the Virgin inside and a restored sundial on its facade. You can also discover a pink marble sarcophagus lid at the entrance.
Activities to do:
- Hike towards the hamlet of Bouzoulières.
- Take a paragliding flight from the Boeut Ridge, above the village.
- Go mountain biking on the Transubayenne circuit.
Our favorite :
- A walk around Faucon, a walk of about an hour through woods and pastures.
Condamine Châtelard
Discover Condamine-Châtelard, a charming village nestled at the confluence of the Ubaye and the Parpaillon torrent. This remarkable place is home to the military fort of Tourmoux, nicknamed the “military Versailles”, perched on a cliff and made up of different batteries spread out over a difference in altitude of 700 meters. In summer, the village and the Sainte-Anne station offer numerous hiking and mountain biking routes.
Do not miss
- Fort Tournoux, a fortress dating from the 19th century which dominates La Condamine with its batteries embedded in the rock.
- The Parpaillon tunnel, more than a century old and cut at an altitude of more than 2,600 meters, connects the Ubaye Valley to Crévoux, accessible by mountain bike, 4×4 or trail bike.
- The hamlet of Châtelard, perched on its rocky gable, offers a breathtaking view of the Condamine.
Take advantage of a guided tour to discover the fort of Tournoux and go hiking through the green mountain pastures and mineral cliffs of the Tour du Grand Bérard and the Métairies, remarkable landscapes.
Our favorite
- Mountain bike route (AE) in the Parpaillon, starting from the Sainte-Anne chapel, which offers magnificent panoramas.
Also explore the Val d'Oronaye, a preserved and wild space close to the Mercantour National Park, with marked trails along the torrents and through the undergrowth. You will discover fortified works to visit, witnesses to the military history of the region.
To have
- the underground fortifications of the Maginot Line, notably Fort Roche-la-Croix and Fort Saint-Ours, accessible during guided tours.
- The Col de Larche, on the Italian border, also offers an exceptional panorama.
- Don’t miss the contemporary work of art “Table-relief” by Daniel Renaud.
For mountain bike enthusiasts, take the unmissable Transubayenne, a 100 km trail to Lake Serre-Ponçon.
Finally, at the Mercantour National Park, a territory rich in geology and biodiversity, where it is essential to respect the regulations and preserve this remarkable space. Be an actor in its preservation!
Saint Paul on Ubaye
Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye stands out as the only commune in France to house 30 peaks over 3000 meters, while being one of the largest and least populated in the country with its 22,000 hectares. Located on the edge of Italy, it is crossed by the Via Alpina (Trieste-Monaco), the Route des Grandes Alpes between the Vars and Cayolle passes, as well as the GR 5 and GR 6 trails. The charming hamlet de Fouillouse, at the foot of Chambeyron, offers a picturesque stopover in this region.
To discover in Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye:
- The Chatelet Bridge, an impressive 108 meter high work of art, classified as a remarkable site, is an essential stop to contemplate the landscape.
- The motorcycle museum, created by Laurent Gonnard, a motorcycle enthusiast since a young age, brings together nearly 70 vehicles still in working order.
- The hamlets of Fouillouse, Maljasset, Sainte-Antoine, la Barge, which add to the charm and diversity of the town.
Activities to do:
- Hiking: the surroundings of Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye are full of exceptional natural heritage, offering a real invitation to discovery. Among the essential routes are the lake of nine colors, the Col de Mirandol, the Vallon de Mary and the Marinet lakes.
- Climbing: Haute-Ubaye offers a magnificent playground for climbing enthusiasts, between school sites and long routes.
Our favorite
Go to the Sens'Action route, “The mountains of green gold”, which will lead you to discover the ancient marble quarries of Maurin, offering a unique and enriching experience.
