Explore Saint-andre-les-alpes at Le Bel Air

A hike that will take you to Courchons, an abandoned village in the commune of Saint André, overlooking Lake Castillon. Head towards the N202 road. Turn left and follow it south to Hotel du Lac et forest 1- Take the Courchons track on the right. 500 m, join the intersection with the path of the col des Robines path. Continue to climb by the track. After several turns thus passed, gain the path to the Rouchas house. 2- Leave the Courchons tracks and follow this path passing at the foot of houses. Get in a valley by the path and continue in the undergrowth, in a succession of steep passages and flats to a pass. Go west towards the ridge and the ruins of the Courchons old village. 3- Go past the chapel and continue down to the plateau (leave a track on the right and pass in front of the bread oven. In front of the Granges building, take the track on the right and go up slightly until the oratory. On the other side, go down the path and cut the track several times. At 1 km, leave the path towards Moriez and continue on the track. After two shortcuts, get to the pass. 4- Leave the track and follow the path to the left along a clearing.. Stay on the right side of the field. At the end, go down to another field and go to the right on the edge of the wood until you reach the end. Get down by the track. At 800 m, then join the Subis path. Continue down to the track below. 5- Follow the path below which continues to descend. Pass in front of a horse park, near an old nursery ONF and go out to the road. Take straight, cross the pavilion area and join the village of St-André-les-Alpes.

Discover the woollen cloth factories, testimony to the village's industrial past. 7 interpretation panels allow you to follow the thread of Saint André les Alpes' drapery past and discover this preserved heritage.

Equipped with your headphones, mobile phone or MP3 player, let your ears guide you on a stroll through testimonies and collected sounds, on the links that local people have with water, the Verdon river and its tributaries. Since 2018, the Parc naturel régional du Verdon has been engaged in a cultural project on water, to better understand the links that local people have with the Verdon river and its tributaries. After conducting a historical and ethnological study entitled "De la conquête de la rivière au grand voyage des eaux" (From the conquest of the river to the great voyage of the waters), which resulted in a book (available free of charge on the Parc's website), the next step was artistic creation. The Park wanted to give a voice to artists, by commissioning a sound creation, in order to question this theme in a more sensitive and intimate way. The Park gave the floor to the artists of Radio Grenouille, who created a sound walk that we invite you to discover at your own pace. Equipped with your headphones, mobile phone or MP3 player, let your ears guide you on a stroll concocted by the artists with testimonials from local residents and sounds picked up here and there in the communes of Saint-André-les-Alpes. For information, the walk lasts 36 minutes and starts at the village church (near the fountain) and ends at the Musée de la Minoterie. Link to download the audio walk: www.promenades-sonores.com/audioguide/promenade-sonore/histoires-deau-de-saint-andre-des-alpes Project devised by the Veron Regional Nature Park with financial support from the Agence de l'Eau and the FNADT.

A long hike on the imposing Crête des Serres (mountain crest). We will benefit from its 1,777m of remarkable views of the peaks of the Southern Alps and the Castillon lake and the peaks of the Haut-Verdon in the background. From the Place de Verdun, head to the church, go across to reach the Grand'Rue then take the first right (Rue du Moulin). Take the village road No.2 of Méouilles. Continue on this road until the Verdon and cross it. Continue on the left bank of the road and 200m before the restored castle of Méouilles, across from the entrance to the Deux Saints tourist site, take the path going left towards the mountain. 1- Go along the trail with craggy black rocks then a clearing before heading into the woods. At 400m, reach a road in a curve. Keep going and 200m further, follow the trail down to the right. Go up the trail. When exiting the woods, pass through the clearing and, below a cottage, reach the track from the house of Villard. Continue on the track to the state-owned forest. 2- Climb the path that rises with switchbacks interspersed with a train. Follow the less steep and more enjoyable trail. After 1.5km of walk, reach a forest track. Take the path rising on the opposite side. Make the final climb through a rising trail with long crossings to the ridge. Reach the top of Serre Gros 100m to the right. 3- At the top, head down the same path.

An easy circuit on a pretty balcony path offering numerous views of the Saint-André-les-Alpes valley and Lac de Castillon. From Place Pastorelli (where the Tourist Office is located), head towards the Chemins de Fer de Provence train station. A few dozen meters before the station, turn left onto chemin des vertus. A hundred metres further on, turn left onto the Chemin du Chalvet (which is actually a tarmac road) and follow it. After 500 m, take the shortcut on your right. This will take you back to the Chemin du Chalvet for another 500 m. At a hairpin bend, continue straight ahead, taking the path towards "Les Glaires". It's an easy path through a forest, with some lovely views. Follow the path as far as "Dindière avec son Belvédère", always taking a left at the three intersections you come to. Continuing along the path, you'll find the Chalvet road you took at the start of the hike, which will take you back to the starting point.

From the summit of Chalvet (1613 m), a mecca for hang-gliding, the panoramic view allows you to spot more than 50 remarkable peaks, which can be identified from an orientation table. A variant is possible from Moriez, following the Route Impériale and returning to the Dindière belvederes.

Mount Chalvet is a sunny mountain overlooking the village of Saint André les Alpes, where rare species made it their home. From the parking lot of the railway station, go up the wooden stairs. Take the street to the right and reach the road leading to the Chalvet at the paragliders' take-off areas. 1 - After a steep section and two winding paths, follow the right path which cuts the road and come out at the St-Jean chapel. Continue on the road for 300m. 2 - Continue for another 50m and take the path going around the curve. Climb gradually, and after eight winding paths, reach a crossroads. 3 - Take the rising trail to the right towards the summit. 4 - At 700m, reach the intersection with the Chalvet hole. This geological curiosity is at 100m, to be done in a round trip tour. To reach the top, keep climbing the trail until the road. Continue the route by a slope in the hill (steep sections!) until the southern side of the take-off area (altitude 1530m). Continue the last metres through the path across and come out directly on the summit of Mount Chalvet (1613 m). 5 - From the top, follow the ridge to the north west and down the mountain pass. Take the path heading to the western slope towards Moriez. Go down the winding path and enter the forest. At the bottom, go along a lavender field to the right and take a path going down the valley to the right. Cross the ford and continue down the path. Reach an intersection 300m from the village. Possibility to go down to Moriez to visit the village and replenish (fountain). 6 - From the intersection, take the path to the east. This path is the former "Imperial Way". Parallel to the road, reach the mountain pass of the Robines at 1.8km and continue straight. At the intersection upstream the mountain pass, follow the path towards the Dindière. Stroll trough the winding paths among pines and reach another crossroads at the tower. 7 - Continue straight and reach through the path, the road leading to the St-Jean Chapel at point 2 - Enter the car park by the same route as the one used to go.

The 1st part of the trail crosses a Sensitive Natural Area, and is equipped with a wooden pathway and an interpretation trail on the protected and remarkable environment. It runs along the left bank of the lake, leading from the village to the Plan beach.

This hike takes you to the hamlet of Courchons (1350 m), whose school still had 20 pupils at the beginning of the last century. The village is mostly in ruins, and pastoralism is the main activity in the area. Head for the N202 road. Turn left and follow it south to the Hôtel du Lac et Forêt. Turn right onto the Courchons trail. After 500 m, reach the intersection with the Col des Robines path. Continue up the track. After several bends, take the access road to the Rouchas house. Leave the Courchons track and follow this path past the houses. Take the path to a small valley and continue through undergrowth, with a succession of steep sections and flats, until you reach a pass. Climb westwards towards the ridge and the ruins of the old village of Courchons. Pass the chapel and continue down to the plateau, leaving a track to the right and passing the bread oven. Opposite the Granges building, take the right-hand track and climb slightly to the oratory. On the other side, go down the path and cross the track several times. After 1 km, leave the path towards Moriez and continue on the track. After two short cuts, reach the pass. Follow the path, keeping to the right, to return to the same path as at the start of the hike.

The Subis walk takes in the hillsides, along pretty, shady forest paths.

Taking the emblematic Blanc Martel trail without taking your car couldn't be easier, thanks to the shuttle bus and the Zou 450 regional line (ex BV1 )from Riez, Roumoules, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie and Castellane. Shuttle service resumes on 28/04/2023. How does it work? The Zou 450 regional line links Riez to Castellane via the village of La Palud-sur-Verdon. From La Palud-sur-Verdon, the Blanc-Martel shuttle bus takes you to the Chalet de la Maline, the trailhead. The trail ends at Point Sublime (Rougon). For your return journey, take the shuttle bus to the village of La Palud-sur-Verdon and/or the regional line 450 to Riez or Castellane. Timetables... To ensure optimum operation, the timetables of the Riez-Castellane regional line (450) and the Blanc-Martel shuttle are coordinated. Online booking is highly recommended if you want to be sure of getting a seat! Please note that the shuttle does not return to Chalet de la Maline in the afternoon.

A quiet family campsite in the heart of the Provençal countryside between Digne les Bains and the Verdon. In the heart of Provence, a region renowned for its sunshine, blue skies and Alpine air, La Célestine campsite offers a variety of accommodation options on a flat 3-hectare area, located only 16 km from Digne les Bains. Bordered by the river Asse and close to the Gorges du Verdon and its lakes (Sainte Croix, Castillon, Esparron) the campsite offers many activities on site and in surrounding areas. Enjoy a 750 m² lake directly on the campsite.

Gîte for 4 people located in the heart of the charming village of Marcoux. The main assets of the gîte are the panoramic view and the swimming pool. The layout of the gîte is full of surprises, with many objects diverted from their original function.

This all-terrain, single-wheel wheelchair makes hiking accessible to anyone with reduced mobility. On loan from Colmars town council. Please bring a suitable vehicle for transport, and ensure that at least 2 or more people are able to use it safely.

Pub, bar, brasserie in the center of Digne les Bains. "L’Étoile is a beautiful brasserie with terraces that stretch out at the beginning of Boulevard Gassendi, facing the Étoile roundabout and its parking lots. For nearly fifteen years, it has been a popular spot for those who enjoy basking in the sun or sitting in the heated area for the more chilly ones. The menu offers a wide variety of options to suit all tastes: delicious composed salads, charcuterie boards, well thought out daily specials and generous portions of meat. When it comes to dessert, the café gourmand is easily devoured. One of the chef’s specialties is the homemade hamburger with artisanal bread. The presentation of the dishes is pleasing, and the service is quick, making it a great choice for those in a hurry. In the evenings, this brasserie-bistro transforms into a tapas bar, offering a tapas menu with a wide selection of wines, cocktails and beers. Hervé, the owner, is a fan of music and rugby, thus it is not uncommon to come across a live concert by a local band or a live broadcast of a sporting event. In summary, L’Étoile offers excellent value for money and is a pleasant stop in Digne-les-Bains on the Alpine road. To top it all, a large car park is located right in front and the Tourist Office is only a few metres away. Lunch service: 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm Dinner service: 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm"

25 km from Digne les Bains, in the heart of the UNESCO Haute-Provence Geopark, the Mandala campsite receives you in a preserved natural setting. Small campsite with 31 pitches, by the river, quiet and natural. Rental of 5 Mongolian Yurts, 4 Eco-Chalets and 21 quiet and shady pitches. Accessible to disabled people. Reception of groups and traineeships. Communal kitchen for the yurts, total of 2 barbecues for all. Yoga sessions in the Mandala Yurt and daily activities in July and August: guided hikes, night walks, donkey rides. Bikes rental for customers. Working donkeys for rent all year round. Swimming is possible. Car-free campsite, 2 car parks are available at the entrance and near the pitches. Trolleys are available at the reception point to transport your luggage. Ideal for nature lovers and outdoor activities enthusiasts such as hiking, Via Ferrata, MTB, climbing, canyoning or hang-gliding... or simply for people who want to relax in fresh air. The campsite is open with all necessary sanitary measures.

An unforgettable ride through the Haut Pays Niçois and Haute Provence on the steam Train des Pignes or the locomotive. From the land of the olive tree to that of the chestnut tree, via Entrevaux and its citadel, immerse yourself in the charm of travel in days gone by. Retro ambience on the "Micheline" of the 1930s: - from December to April as well as September 20 and 21, November 2 from Puget Théniers to Annot - August 5 to 10 from Saint André to Thorame The Steam Train runs on all other dates. Several themed trains are proposed for 2025: Dance Train: May 4 Music Train: June 22 European Heritage Day: September 20 and 21 Olive Train: October 12 Halloween Train: October 26 and local events Saint Fortunat festival in Annot: May 18 Chestnut Festival at Le Fugeret: November 8

Fabrice and Marie receive you in their campsite in the heart of Provence. Located 900 m away from the hilltop village of Thoard, the Moulin de Thoard campsite is a haven of peace surrounded by nature. Come enjoy the benefits of the Duyes valley. For one night or for longer stays, you will find peace and quiet in our magnificent human-size campsite located in the heart of Provence. In this fast-paced society, it is increasingly difficult to find real time for yourself. When taking over the Moulin de Thoard campsite, we wanted to put forward values that are precious to us, such as benevolence, solidarity and authenticity. It is through our exchanges that we wish to share moments of well-being with you. Here, you will find a calm and restful place in the middle of a natural setting. The valley of Thoard is set back from the main tourist routes, which allows it to keep its authenticity. We buy from local producers, breeders and shops, to offer you quality products in our campsite. This way, we favour short supply chain, limiting our environmental impact as much as possible. We are also very concerned about your well-being and the quality of our reception. Your arrival is for us a privileged moment to which we give all our attention. After a few administrative formalities and safety instructions, we will accompany you to your pitch or rental accommodation. We will show you all the facilities of the campsite so that you can fully enjoy it. Our campsite has: 3 huts, 1 chalet, 1 chalet on stilts, 1 perched caravan, 2 mobile homes, 1 tipi, 1 lodge tent, 1 Safari tent. The campsite is also open to motorhomes within the limits of the allocated space. A service area is provided by the village outside the campsite. You will find all the information you need to prepare your stay on our website. Do not hesitate to contact us for further information. Welcome !

Municipal service area / camping cars Near parking lot and swimming pool Open all year round

Have a heart-pumping experience in an untamed environment during a day of canyoning in the Gours du Ray! HAVE A HEART-PUMPING EXPERIENCE IN AN UNTAMED ENVIRONMENT DURING A DAY OF CANYONING IN THE GOURS DU RAY. Located at the higher end of the Loup Gorges, the Gours du Ray is known for its beauty and untamed character, far from large inflows of tourists. With your guide, make the most of this athletic activity adapted for all levels. Combine all the elements necessary for an exciting adventure: waterfalls, natural water slides, swimming in white water and rappelling. Dive into the crystal clear water of the Gours du Ray and enjoy a pleasant, nature-filled day of discovery and thrills!

A unique flour mill museum ! From 1902, the flour mill of La Mure-Argens, built in a former drapery, produce flour for 70 years. Since 2016, the museum welcomes you into this industrial mill. Let's be guided or come lose yourself in this maze of machines arranged on 4 levels. Discover the museum in family, with adaptated areas for young people, with manipulatives that invite you to touch, play and test the mechanisms.

View of the lake of Castillon.

There are lots of Paeonia officinalis (common Peony) at the top of Mont Chalvet and have a preference for clear and deforested areas. They need 4 to 5 years to bloom once the seeds have been planted. This is what makes it a protected flower and unique with its flamboyant colours.

The Plage du Plan in Saint André les Alpes is located 2 km from the village center on the road to Nice. This beach on the shores of Lac de Castillon, fed by the Verdon river, is sure to please young and old alike. Large lawns welcome you, and you can go pedal boating, motor boating, stand-up paddling, canoeing/kayaking, catamaran sailing, dinghy sailing, towed buoys or simply relax and enjoy the sunshine of the Verdon Regional Nature Park. Swimming for all: The beach is accessible to all, as it is equipped with hypocampe and tiralo for people with reduced mobility.

The mountain Apollo (Parnassius apollo), this butterfly with a hairy body is subordinate to the mountainous climate. Its caterpillar eats succulent plants: stonecrops, houseleeks. At the end of the larval period, it forms a loose cocoon slightly buried before turning into a chrysalid. The mountain Apollon hibernates in the egg state.

The village of Courchons is located at 1300 meters above sea level and occupies a mountainous plateau overlooking the lake Castillon, offering exceptional views. Only his church has retained a devanture virtually intact: the rest of the houses are largely in ruins. The town was attached to Saint-André-Les-Alpes in 1966.

On the pastures you will often encounter flocks of sheep especially in summer on the pasture lands but you can also meet some of the cattle, the pastures of the Alps of High Provence are suitable to marvel.

Essential to the men and their cattle feed, salt came mostly from saline. There is another salt resource, closer to people: they are the salt springs that are found everywhere in Provence. This precious salt demonstrates the presence of a marine environment in these places during the Mesozoic era, 220 million years ago. The Saint-André is rich in sources of this type.

For the men who lived here for three or four months a year, as for the people who lived there year-round, water was the first need. The development of a fountain on these heights required many efforts. Water from a spring was collected several hundred meters from here and carried by a canal, or aqueduct, made of dry stone. Around this water point, other developments have gradually gathered: the wash house, the watering trough and the bread oven.

Plunging view on the Lake of Castillon and bar of Pidanoux to the left.

Traditional restaurant located near the small village of Marcoux (route de Draix) Mountain specialties in winter Pierrade - raclette - Savoyard fondues - mountain burger

Pub, bar, brasserie in the center of Digne les Bains. "L’Étoile is a beautiful brasserie with terraces that stretch out at the beginning of Boulevard Gassendi, facing the Étoile roundabout and its parking lots. For nearly fifteen years, it has been a popular spot for those who enjoy basking in the sun or sitting in the heated area for the more chilly ones. The menu offers a wide variety of options to suit all tastes: delicious composed salads, charcuterie boards, well thought out daily specials and generous portions of meat. When it comes to dessert, the café gourmand is easily devoured. One of the chef’s specialties is the homemade hamburger with artisanal bread. The presentation of the dishes is pleasing, and the service is quick, making it a great choice for those in a hurry. In the evenings, this brasserie-bistro transforms into a tapas bar, offering a tapas menu with a wide selection of wines, cocktails and beers. Hervé, the owner, is a fan of music and rugby, thus it is not uncommon to come across a live concert by a local band or a live broadcast of a sporting event. In summary, L’Étoile offers excellent value for money and is a pleasant stop in Digne-les-Bains on the Alpine road. To top it all, a large car park is located right in front and the Tourist Office is only a few metres away. Lunch service: 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm Dinner service: 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm"

Restaurant in a traditional and quiet village offering Mediterranean cuisine with Corsican and Armenian influences. We cook mainly with fresh products and favor short food supply chains. We offer Corsican and Armenian specialties. We also cook traditional recipes.

Inventive cuisine with local and seasonal products with an organic tendency. The restaurant offers, not only, but mostly traditional cuisine, with seasonal, local, and if possible organic products. All dishes are homemade.

Gastronomic restaurant / Fish specialties Shaded terrace in summer. Seminars, weddings, anniversaries, possibility of takeaway meals. 50 places inside - 30 places on the terrace. Menu from 27€

OPEN TO EVERYONE. Creative and balanced cuisine, local and seasonal products. Bistronomic restaurant located in a hotel with a 2 hectare wooded park on the banks of the Blanche river. At the moment, the Insolent offers burgers and stews to order, delivery possible within a radius of 10 km. Our slate menu evolves over the seasons. Panoramic outdoor terrace.

We welcome you to enjoy gourmet dining and refined, generous cuisine in an exceptional setting, in the heart of a large wooded estate, next to a small, authentic mountain village in Haute-Provence. Au cœur de l’Adoux – A gourmet restaurant offering a warm welcome in the heart of nature In an exceptional setting, at the heart of a vast six-hectare wooded estate, the restaurant ‘Au cœur de l’Adoux’ invites you on a true culinary journey. Located in a large mountain chalet, a stone's throw from an authentic village in Haute-Provence, Ilse, Peter and their team welcome you with warmth and friendliness, inviting you to discover their refined and generous cuisine. Recognised expertise Awarded the Logis de France label, our restaurant is renowned for its gourmet cuisine, prepared using fresh, seasonal produce. In the kitchen, our chef, who is passionate about Provençal cuisine, showcases homemade dishes that combine authenticity and creativity. With his wealth of experience and distinctions, he is a Maître Restaurateur and member of the Académie Nationale de Cuisine de France, a guarantee of artisanal expertise and high quality standards. A cosy bar and terrace, ideal for an aperitif Before sitting down to eat, relax in our warm and intimate bar, where you can enjoy an aperitif in a cosy atmosphere. On sunny days, take advantage of our large shaded terrace in the middle of a pine forest for a convivial moment in the open air, lulled by the calm of nature.

5 minutes from Forcalquier. This authentic inn, housed in a late 18th-century farmhouse, offers traditional, quality cuisine in a green setting.

Located on the village square with a terrace in the sun or in the shade, this small restaurant offers tasty and generous cuisine. A traditional and local menu, daily specials, a nice selection of meats. Customers appreciate: “Good value for money / succulent pasta and meats / excellent and fast service / heated covered terrace”

Looking for a change of scenery? Try a complete change of scenery just 1h30 from Nice. The Roncharel gîte welcomes you to the heart of nature in the Verdon and Vaïre valleys, to discover another South. Panoramic views, absolute peace and quiet! Single rooms and group accommodation. Provencal cuisine based on local produce.

Opening 15/05/2020 > 27/09/2020 At the entrance of the largest canyon in Europe, the Huttopia Gorges du Verdon campsite welcomes you on a unique site on the banks of the Verdon with a beautiful swimming pool and private access to the beach…

This eco-gîte is located in a new house in the countryside, at the foot of the barre des Dourbes, on the heights of Digne. You can enjoy the calmness and the exceptional panorama in this privileged setting in the heart of the Geological Reserve and the Geopark. The view from the terrace is exceptional and particularly clear. The tenants can enjoy a green space with flowers. It is located 9.6 km from the city center and 10 km from the thermal baths.

A quiet family campsite in the heart of the Provençal countryside between Digne les Bains and the Verdon. In the heart of Provence, a region renowned for its sunshine, blue skies and Alpine air, La Célestine campsite offers a variety of accommodation options on a flat 3-hectare area, located only 16 km from Digne les Bains. Bordered by the river Asse and close to the Gorges du Verdon and its lakes (Sainte Croix, Castillon, Esparron) the campsite offers many activities on site and in surrounding areas. Enjoy a 750 m² lake directly on the campsite.

Studio located in a residence with private park and parking, on the 4th floor with elevator, facing south, with balcony.

Gîte for 4 people located in the heart of the charming village of Marcoux. The main assets of the gîte are the panoramic view and the swimming pool. The layout of the gîte is full of surprises, with many objects diverted from their original function.

This 2 room apartment is ideally located in the city center, close to the bus station and buses. Parking in the garden. Recently renovated. Quiet and comfortable apartment.

2 room apartment in a house in the city center in a quiet and pleasant setting. Comfortable apartment for a pleasant and friendly stay with the locals.

Eastern exposure, very sunny 1 room apartment. Garden level with terrace, panoramic view of the city and the mountains. In a quiet place.

3 star apartment of 55 m2 on the ground floor of the owners' house. Quiet area, open view, close to nature and the city. Very well exposed and bright. Two rooms (18 and 21 m2), very well equipped, new bedding of 160 cm, large terrace, small garden.