At an altitude of around 1,200 m, Beauvezer lies in the upper Verdon valley, at the gateway to the Parc National du Mercantour. The village offers a range of options to help you plan your trip: a marked trail above the Verdon, trail running and cycling activities, the Gorges de Saint-Pierre, and chapels and traces of the wool industry. You can choose Beauvezer according to what interests you most—outdoor activities, scenery or local heritage.
A trail along the Verdon and different ways to get active
The Sentier du Patrimoine starts in the village centre and runs above the Verdon. The marked trail is approximately 4.5 km long; it also features information panels and two benches. The panels give the route a thematic focus, while the benches provide convenient places to stop along the way. This makes the Sentier different from the activities that focus on route length or specific forms of exercise.
The Espace trail de Beauvezer offers trail-running routes of 12 km and 35 km. At the Bike Park de Beauvezer, you’ll find jump lines with increasing levels of difficulty, features to ride over and balance on, and a skills area. The activities offer different emphases: here there are two longer trail-running routes, while there you’ll find various bike features and a dedicated skills area. Which option suits your stay depends on whether you’d rather choose a running route or try the features at the bike park. Check local conditions before setting out.
The Parc Arbre Aventure is another option for activities in the forest. It covers 7 hectares and includes activities at heights of 4 to 11 m, as well as a zip line more than 100 m long. The height figures and the zip line’s length help you get a more precise idea of what’s on offer. For planning purposes, it’s worth checking the operator’s conditions before your visit.
Gorge and forest near Beauvezer
The Gorges de Saint-Pierre form a distinctive landscape near Beauvezer, with steep rock walls flanking the Saint-Pierre mountain stream. The gorge also features hiking trails, an extensive coniferous forest, forest huts and a chapel. Alongside the marked trail by the Verdon, it offers another way to experience the surrounding nature. The rock walls, stream and forest combine to shape the landscape here; hiking trails are also part of the area’s character.
Chapels with different stories
The Chapelle Saint-Joseph dates back at least to the 17th century. Until 1865, it was the parish church of Notre-Dame-de-Nazareth; it was completely restored during renovations in the last quarter of the 20th century. Its story thus connects its former religious role with its later restoration.
The Chapelle Saint-Pierre dates from before 1665. This should be distinguished from the date 1665 on a painting depicting Saints Peter and Paul, which is documented in the chapel in 1708. The chapel stands on a mountainside east of Villars-Heyssier. Its rectangular layout comprises a porch, a nave and a semicircular apse. The former parish church and its restoration are the main points of interest at Saint-Joseph; at Saint-Pierre, you can focus on its earlier date, the painting and the architectural design.
Wool-making history and regional products
The filature de laine Chalve near Notre-Dame in Beauvezer is part of the area’s wool-industry history. Plans to establish the spinning mill date back at least to 1838. A later milestone was approval to draw water in December 1853. The two dates therefore refer to different steps: the initial plan and, later, approval to draw water.
Another aspect of the local offer is the Maison de Produits de Pays des Alpes du Verdon in Beauvezer. It sells regional food and local crafts, including cheese, honey, cured meats, jams, syrups and herbal products, as well as wool, pottery and ceramics, and woodwork. The selection may change. These artisanal and culinary products complement the scenery and heritage experiences that Beauvezer offers for planning your trip.
Discover more destinations: Larche, Uvernet-Fours, La Palud, L'Escale, Allos, Simiane-La-Rotonde, Beaujeu, Turriers.
For the main travel overview: Alpes-De-Haute-Provence.
