Bevons lies on the left bank at the eastern entrance to the Jabron Valley, at an elevation of 505 metres on departmental road D946, above the junction with D553. For planning your trip, the main highlights are hikes with different profiles and the local history of the village and its geology.
Hiking trails for different abilities
Bevons is the starting point for numerous hiking trails with varying gradients and lengths; some routes may include difficult sections. They range from trails for less experienced hikers to those for experienced long-distance hikers. One route with a specific profile is the “Des Grandes Terres” biodiversity trail: this easy family loop is 5.4 kilometres long, includes 245 metres of ascent and takes 1 hour 30 minutes. It starts and ends at the Église Saint-Gervais-Saint-Protais in Bevons. These key details can help you factor the length of this loop into your day’s plans.
The trail passes through the Bevons massif and offers views of the Jabron and Buëch valleys; it also showcases local flora typical of Haute-Provence. The route information for this trail is dated 3 August 2026. Check parking conditions locally; trail conditions may change seasonally.
Another option is the Tour de Peydiou loop, which starts in Bevons in the hamlet of Les Basties; an alternative starting point is in Noyers-sur-Jabron. At the Pas de l’Essaillon, there are views of the Buëch Valley, the Dévoluy and the Écrins. The trail is accessible year-round; nevertheless, check the weather and trail conditions for your chosen date. A few metres to the left of the Pas de l’Essaillon opening, inscriptions engraved on a rock slab can be seen; they were deciphered a few years ago. The route crosses rocky terrain. The two routes have different highlights: “Des Grandes Terres” is described by its distance, ascent and duration, while the Tour de Peydiou focuses on the views and inscriptions at the pass.
Traces of geological and local history
During geological research between 1984 and 1986, bones were discovered in the commune of Bevons near the Mollard ridge, below the Rocher du Turc. They were identified as the remains of a theropod from the Cretaceous period, around 100 million years ago. Alongside the hiking trails, this offers a natural-history point of interest with a precisely identified discovery site and geological date. If you are interested in the history of the Earth, this find offers a reason to look beyond the present-day landscape.
The place name is traced back to Saint-Bevons (940–986); according to tradition, he subdued the Saracens at the rock later known as Pierre Impie. Bevons thus brings together two different perspectives on the past: a local tradition about the origin of its name and a geological find from the Cretaceous period.
Getting your bearings locally
An information point in Bevons provides orientation as well as information about events and activities in the Jabron Valley. Check whether it is open before your trip.
Discover more destinations: Aiglun, Saumane, Les Mees, Les Omergues, Turriers, Aubenas-Les-Alpes, Castellane, La Palud
For the regional travel overview: Alpes-De-Haute-Provence.
