Things to see and do Alpes-De-Haute-Provence

Climbing up to the great bare summits of the Lure mountain is a must during your stay in the area. Dominating the Pays de Forcalquier on its southern side and the deep Jabron valley on its northern side, classified as a Unesco Biosphere Reserve, the Lure mountain culminates at 1,826 m and extends over a length of about fifty kilometres. A picturesque road allows you to cross it from one side to the other, passing by the resort, much to the delight of seasoned cyclists. It is entirely reserved for them on Mondays in summer. Hiking trails also allow you to get there on foot, through the woods, from the small village of Saint-Etienne-les-Orgues. Once you are up there, you will enjoy an exceptional 360° panorama of varied landscapes: Mont Ventoux, Vercors, Cévennes, Southern Alps and even, if the sky is clear, the Mediterranean coast. Between the Southern Alps and the Mediterranean, an exceptional vegetation has developed whose flora, long exploited, is today left to the appreciation of numerous flocks of sheep. A little lower down (around 1,600 m), the resort of Lure offers themed hiking trails (5 senses, planets...) and numerous activities throughout the seasons: scooters on grass, tubbing (downhill on inflatable buoys), mountain biking, astronomy sessions in the summer, sledging, snowshoeing, skiing... in winter. Note: it is possible to eat and sleep on site.

In Haute-Provence, pigeon lofts are numerous and varied. The Bourrelles dovecote, which is particularly large, is a magnificent architectural testimony to a rural breeding activity that was once of prime economic importance. It is located in the magnificent olive-growing estate of Moulin Arrizi. Entirely restored by its owners, the association "Les Amis des Mées" has installed in the lower room a mini-ecomuseum of the pigeon houses of Haute-Provence. In the upper part, the pigeons continue to live and coo.

This original museum, housed in the chapel of the former 17th century Visitandine convent, traces the evolution of time measurement through the presentation of instruments, objects and documents that are often rare, sometimes unique. A Foucault pendulum and a reproduction of the Al Jazari clepsydra (a Persian hydraulic clock from the 12th century) are among its highlights. The Route du Temps, from Sisteron to Beynes (80 km) is the logical complement to discover the geological traces of the Earth's history.

A lot of information about Sisteron, the Buëch, the UNESCO Geopark of Haute-Provence, the Regional Natural Park of the Baronnies provençales, the Alpes de Haute-Provence, the Hautes-Alpes and the Provence region in general. Free guided tours of the old town or the cathedral are available for individuals or groups from the town hall. The Tourist Office also offers a number of themed stays on site: weekend in a caravan, romantic weekend..

Standing in the middle of the field, these four superb columns in grey monolithic granite, ending in white marble Corinthian capitals and surmounted by a sculpted architrave, are the remains of a temple probably erected to the glory of Apollo, probably at the very end of the 1st century BC. A majestic testimony to the city founded by the Emperor Augustus, which was called civitas Julia Augusta Reiorum Apollinaris. A signpost recalls their origins and shows what the ancient temple was, where the columns at its entrance were located.

The baptistery is a building annexed to a church and intended above all for baptisms. Part of a large episcopal group erected on the remains of ancient Roman baths, the baptistery was built in the^5th century AD. Once surrounded by a portico, it has been reworked and restored over the years. It remains one of the few moving testimonies of this period, since the seat of the bishopric was dismantled during the French Revolution. Further east, some remains of the early Christian cathedral remain.

This lake is less known than those of Sainte-Croix or Esparron, but it is worth a visit. Generated by the dam of Gréoux, this water retention created a lake of nearly 13 km length, which has kept a wild aspect. Formerly a narrow canyon invaded by water, it widens a little in places. You can also appreciate the caves in the cliffs, by going there by boat. It is also the departure to go up the low gorges in electric boats or canoe for the most courageous! What to take full of eyes! Very nice place to picnic.

Young and old, collectors, creators or curious, are unanimous: this beautiful museum is a delight for the eyes. It offers you a journey into the imagination that will enchant young and old alike: in this magnificent old house, you will discover some 140 settings mixing past, present and future. Apart from the visits, various animations are proposed to the children as well as to the adults with in particular the creation of rag dolls and doll's houses for UNICEF.

In the heart of the Unesco Geopark of Haute-Provence, the Cairo office will provide all the information for lovers of hiking, via ferrata or other sports, as well as for lovers of local products and good addresses. Public access point to the Internet, this tourist office also manages access to the via ferrata (with ticket sales and rental of adapted equipment), which leads to many moments of sustained activity with sometimes a bit of waiting. Be patient!

With its imposing silhouette and its two towers, it is difficult to miss! Obviously built after the medieval period, in rolled pebbles from the Durance, it was largely reworked by the De Fulque family, originally from Valensole and owner of the Marquisate of Oraison from 1720 onwards. This family kept it more or less until the Revolution and the building was devastated in 1792. It was then raised by one floor and transformed into a silkworm farm. Louis Pasteur was ordered by the State to come here in 1868 to study the silkworm disease called pebrine.

The benefits of the thermal waters of Gréoux-les-Bains have been known for thousands of years! The Romans built the first thermal baths here. Today's thermal baths welcome many curists for therapeutic and fitness treatments in the new space dedicated to well-being "Les Sources de Manon". In the 19th century, many personalities came to "take the waters" like Giono in 1950. You can freely visit the exterior and the entrance hall of the current thermal baths.

The Tournoux fortress is an important work composed of 6 forts ranging from 1,290 m altitude for the Esplanade Pellegrin to 2,000 m for the Serre-de-l'Aut. The Caures battery, which is open to visitors, is located at 1,800 m. Built between 1839 and 1866, these fortifications of the Maginot line are located on the border of the communes of Condamine-Châtelard and Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye. They defended the entrance to the upper Ubaye valley from the Arche pass. It should be noted that the forest track of about 2 km leading to it is not very passable

This ornithological reserve, located in the heart of Haute-Provence, is an exceptional site, consisting of three artificial wetlands located on the territories of the neighbouring communes of Château-Arnoux - Saint-Auban, Volonne, l'Escale, Malijai and les Mées. Depending on the time of year, 140 different species of birds can be observed there. This reserve concentrates more than 56% of the bird species present in the department, as well as more than 56% of the breeding bird species identified as threatened in the PACA region. These birds are often hidden in the tangle of reedbeds, or hidden in the wild copses bordering the wetlands and, sometimes, even well camouflaged in the gravel banks of the Durance.

Other species, less shy, can be admired on the surface of the lake. The Château-Arnoux tourist office offers free leaflets describing an eco-tour entitled "from the Farm to the Chapel, along the water" with the positioning of the 12 sites, on a path around the lake of about 10 kilometres, which have been developed in an "Ecobalade application", available on smartphones (and very useful for discovering other beautiful walks!). Plants, trees, insects, mammals, reptiles and even molluscs present on the path are described for walkers. To download directly on : www.ecobalade.fr/balade/balade-chateau-arnoux-04. Exceptional!

Located in the heart of the small family resort of Chabannon in the commune of Selonnet, this tourist reception point is open in season every day in winter and summer. In case of closure you can contact the Tourist Office of Seyne-les-Alpes