Authon lies at the foot of the Massif des Monges and on the Route du Temps in the UNESCO GĂ©oparc de Haute-Provence. Today, the village is a starting point for hikes, themed trails and Land Art. This offers different ways to plan a trip: exploring the landscape on foot, taking a mountain bike loop, or discovering art in the Geopark. If you are considering Authon as a place to stay, you can first decide which of these themes you would like to shape your visit.
Hiking and Mountain Biking in the Massif des Monges
The Tour de la Chapelle Sainte-Marthe (No. 8) gives hikers a first impression of the Massif des Monges, including its montane and Provençal vegetation and views of the surrounding peaks. The route therefore combines two specific impressions of the landscape: its plant life and its far-reaching views. If you would like to focus on the landscape of the Monges while hiking, these features provide a clear guide.
Another option is the Col de Fontbelle mountain bike route (No. 19): a moderately difficult 11.4 km loop that starts and ends in Authon. It leads to the Col de Fontbelle and then descends through forests and winding trails on a route made entirely of singletrack. The distance, loop format and difficulty give the ride a clearly defined scope; the route description also explains the nature of the descent. Route details and access information may change, so check them before setting out.
The route to the Grotte Saint-Vincent starts and ends at the car park in front of the Gîte des Monges in Authon. If you include this route in your plans, its start and finish are clearly located in the village.
Land Art and the History of Authon
La Sentinelle d’Authon is part of the artwork Refuge d’art, a Land Art trail almost 150 kilometres long through the Géoparc de Haute-Provence. The work was conceived and created by Andy Goldsworthy, a British artist and a leading figure in Land Art. La Sentinelle thus connects Authon with an art project that extends far beyond a single installation. For travellers interested in Land Art, its place on this long trail offers a distinct way to discover the village.
Authon’s earlier history as a route stop is also part of its story: the village was a way station on the transhumance routes from Sisteron or Thoard. The term refers to the seasonal movement of livestock and adds a historical perspective on travel through the region to today’s hiking and themed trails.
The Chapelle Sainte-Marthe brings together religious history and a distinctive tradition. It is a religious “sanctuary of postponement” and was associated with numerous miracles. Historically, stillborn children who had not received the sacrament were brought there. Through the priest’s ritual words, they were believed to briefly return to life so they could be baptised. Together with the route named after the chapel, this offers another perspective on Sainte-Marthe: both a destination for hikers and a place with its own religious history.
Getting to Another Route
From Sisteron, the CrĂŞte de Pierre-Mont route can be reached via the D951 towards La Motte-du-Caire, then along the D3 to Authon. These roads provide a specific guide for getting to the route.
Discover more destinations: Entrevaux, Noyers-sur-Jabron, Rougon, Castellane, Oraison, Revest-Saint-Martin, Pra Loup, Volx.
See the full travel guide: Alpes-De-Haute-Provence.
