Tours
Activities
Places of interest
Where to eat
Where to sleep

Discover Barras, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence: A Provençal Gem

Are you in charge of the destination?
Nestled in the heart of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Barras in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur exudes charm and tranquility. Surrounded by picturesque mountains and breathtaking landscapes, this town offers its visitors a plethora of activities suitable for all interests and ages.

For hiking enthusiasts, local trails like the GR4 will guide you through fields of lavender, pine forests, and stunning ...
See more

Walking around Barras

See more suggestions
Stroll through the walking routes of Barras.
See more suggestions
Sentier du gypse et de Sainte-Madeleine
6.7 km

Sentier du gypse et de Sainte-Madeleine

Perched on the rock of Sainte-Madeleine overlooking the Duyes valley and the village of Thoard, the chapel of the same name, dating from 1657, was completely restored in 2002 by the artist Andy Goldsworthy, it is part of the work Refuge d'Art. Don't hesitate to enter the chapel, Andy Goldsworthy** intervenes here on the entire building. The back wall is lined with a regular arrangement of cut stones in the center of which an egg-shaped cavity allows one to stand. This is where "others have stood before, and where others will stand after", says the artist. He designs this penetrable device as a case that preserves the memory of visitors, witness to their presence, but also to their absence in this place. **Andy Goldsworthy (Sale Moor, England, 1956) places nature at the heart of his work. But without reducing his works to natural materials, nor to the natural processes that pass through them, he takes into account the nature of the place and its history. This explains why Andy Goldsworthy works mainly in places marked by human presence. Refuge d’Art a single work of art to be covered in about ten days of walking. Today it consists of seven refuges and three Sentinels connected by a path. Originally, old abandoned farm buildings, a ruined chapel, collapsed shepherd's huts... founded the project of their restoration by the artist, in order to accommodate a work of art and shelter walkers and hikers. On the facade of the chapel, look for a golden dot, engraved in the stone. This is point, by the artist herman de vries* (2009). For the artist, the simplicity of the point prohibits any interpretation, it captures the attention of the walker, to question him and invite him towards other thoughts. No matter where you are or where you are going, point invites you to go further! herman de vries* is a naturalist by profession. His view of the world is strongly influenced by oriental philosophy. For him, nature is sufficient in itself and does not need to be embellished by art: "nature is art", he says, because it is perpetual creation. * we respect the artist's wish not to use capital letters, a form of hierarchy. Formed about 220 million years ago in a salty lagoon, gypsum is a soft rock composed of calcium sulfate. Heated in a kiln, it loses its water by evaporation and turns into plaster. Then, after being ground in the open air or in a mill, it can be rehydrated and used in construction. In the 1840th century, many small extraction sites existed in Haute-Provence. Traditional architecture offers multiple uses for plaster: from the coarsest used as mortar for building walls to the finest used for making plasterwork. In Thoard, gypsum quarries have been documented since 1890, but extraction probably began much earlier. The best known is the Siron quarry, mentioned from 1940, which was exploited until XNUMX. The stone was extracted in the open air with a pickaxe and mattock, then loaded onto sleds commonly used in the valley for agricultural work on steep slopes. It was thus transported to the village to the plaster factory. There, a mill powered by hydraulic energy, created by a fall on the Riou torrent, operated a heavy vertical stone millstone.

2 h
3.7 km
Very easy
En dessus la ferme auberge de Bannette, 1,5 km après le village de Thoard. 04380 Thoard
Show

What to do in Barras

See more suggestions
Exciting adventures await you in Barras, book now.
See more suggestions
Camping du Moulin de Thoard
6.5 km

Camping du Moulin de Thoard

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 !

8 route Le Planas 04380 Thoard
Book from 0 €Book
Show

What to visit in Barras

See more suggestions
Visit the historical sites of Barras.
See more suggestions
Musée Promenade
9.2 km

Musée Promenade

The Musée-Promenade stands as the interpretive centre of the UNESCO Geopark of Haute-Provence. Visitors wander through a sprawling shaded park where pathways and streams intertwine, and where cascades and contemporary artworks come together to create an enchanting setting. "Picnic facilities and open toilets are available. Embark on a journey to encounter butterflies, wander leisurely or learn about the geological history of the region and the global network of UNESCO Geoparks. Internationally renowned artists such as Andy Glodsworthy, Joan Fontcuberta, Sylvie Bussières or Agathe Larpent got their inspiration from here. An area for wandering and creation, overlooking Digne from its rock, it immerses the visitor in a quiet atmosphere leading him to the heart of the Earth’s memory… In the exhibition rooms, the last 300 million years of Earth’s history unfold before our eyes. In ancient times, the alpine ocean was covering the region. Tropical marine aquariums illustrate this memory, juxtaposing colourful living species with stone fossils, of which Ammonites and Ichthyosaurs are the kings. A film tells the history and the evolution of the landscapes of the region as well as the great transformations that the Earth has undergone. It enables each person to grasp the extraordinary richness of this territory. Japanese garden To discover within the Musée Promenade : the Kamaïshi Japanese garden. Of Japanese inspiration,this garden was conceived as a tribute to the twinning of Digne and Kamaïshi around the theme of “Man and the Seasons”. The various stages of a person’s life are represented through progressive blooms along the pathway. Each entrance is marked by a Japanese-style gate, inviting visitors to enter the garden. A bridge, a pond, paths, benches, carefully chosen vegetation, lanterns and pagodas coexist harmoniously in this timeless space accessible to all (with wheelchair access). The Butterfly Trail Between waterfalls and terraces specially designed to host the favourite - or exclusive - plants of butterflies and their caterpillars, in this particular environment on the edge of mediterranean and alpine climate, more than 139 species of butterflies live freely and can be observed from spring to autumn. Randoland Discover the Musée Promenade in a different way: with games and enigmas for kids and touristic pieces of information for parents. With these fun tour sheets, children can join in the visit with delight. The tour is tailored for three age groups: 4-6 years old, 7-9 years old and 9-12 years old. Available exclusively at the tourist office."

Montée du Parc Saint-Benoît BP 30 156 04990 Cede Digne-les-Bains
Show
The Haute Provence UNESCO Geopark
9.2 km

The Haute Provence UNESCO Geopark

Certified by UNESCO, the Global Geoparks Network brings together regions offering different heritages: geological, natural, material and intangible. The Haute Provence Geopark was created in 2000 and was the model for the development of 120 Geoparks worldwide. It covers 60 municipalities in the Alpes de Haute Provence department. It gathers natural and geological sites and offers a journey through over 300 million years of Earth’s history. Sites like the ammonites slab are exceptional, even unique in the world. ​The Haute Provence Geopark is also rich in its intangible heritage that can be discovered through know how, craftsmanship and local products. It contributes to the local economic development. Some restaurants, accommodations, local producers and services are certified by the Haute Provence Geopark and are committed to upholding this heritage and its values. Promenade Museum A park in the shade, waterfalls, gardens, art work, 300 million years of geological history told by fossils, Mediterranean and tropical aquariums, exhibitions and an art center (CAIRN). Geological sites The Ammonite Slab The most emblematic site of the Haute Provence Geopark. The 320 m² Ammonite Slab boasts over 1,550 fossils, the biggest being over 70 cm! This species allows us to establish that the slab is around 200 million years old. Ichthyosaur Reptile fossil, 90 million years old. Location : La Robine Bird Footprints 20 million years ago, the region of Digne les Bains was a sea basin. Birds walked on the beaches’ wet sand, leaving footprints that were later fossilized. Sea currents that sculpted the seabed 130 million years ago were also fossilized. Barles Canyons After several million years of erosion, the Barles Canyons offer amazing landscapes.

Montée du Parc Saint-Benoît BP 30156 04990 Digne-les-Bains
Show

Where to eat in Barras

See more suggestions
Restaurants in Barras offer a variety of cuisines.
See more suggestions
Au Coeur de l'Adoux
38 km

Au Coeur de l'Adoux

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.

Rue Domaine de l'Adoux La Miande 04140 Montclar
Show

Where to sleep in Barras

See more suggestions
Find an ideal lodging in Barras.
See more suggestions
Camping du Moulin de Thoard
6.5 km

Camping du Moulin de Thoard

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 !

8 route Le Planas 04380 Thoard
Book from 0 €Book
Show
Caution!
We have no information on the difficulty of this circuit. You may encounter some surprises along the way. Before you go, please feel free to inquire more and take all necessary precautions. Have a good trip! 🌳🥾