Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye offers a range of starting points for a trip: striking high-altitude scenery and routes, the architectural history of Fort de Tournoux, and museums dedicated to mountain life and technology. When choosing your destinations, you can first decide whether to focus on the landscape, military history or crafts.
High Mountains and Routes
Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye has 34 peaks over 3,000 metres high. The Col de Vars lies within the commune; its cycling climb gains 1,000 metres in elevation, reaching 2,108 metres. The Via Alpina between Trieste and Monaco also passes through Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye. These route connections offer different perspectives: a well-known long-distance route and a climb whose elevation profile is described with specific figures.
There are numerous marked snowshoe routes through nature that remains unspoilt. One specific loop is the Tour du Plan de Parouart: it starts in Maljasset and goes around a wetland plain. The plain was formed after a major landslide dammed the Ubaye Valley. Those interested in the history of the landscape will therefore find background directly connected to the route description.
Mountain Refuges at Different Elevations
The Refuge de Maljasset is in the hamlet of Maljasset at an elevation of 1,905 metres. It is housed in a very old farmhouse with a slate roof, vaulted rooms and a south-facing terrace. The Refuge de Chambeyron is an FFCAM mountain refuge at 2,626 metres in Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye. These details give a clear sense of the different elevations and types of building of the two refuges. Operating conditions and seasonal access may change; check the current conditions before making specific plans.
Fort de Tournoux and the History of Fortifications
Fort de Tournoux extends across more than 700 metres of elevation. Construction began in 1843; the fort is considered to have been completed in 1865. The Batterie des Caurres was added in 1880. From its summit, it covers the fort with new guns. This timeline shows how the fortifications were expanded over several decades.
Specific access rules apply to visits: Fort de Tournoux can only be visited as part of a guided tour, which must be booked in advance, from May to September. For safety reasons, only the upper Batterie des Caurres is open to the public. Check the available tour dates in advance.
Church and Museums
The Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Fouillouse, together with its enclosed grounds, was fully classified as a Monument historique on 4 April 2019. Its interior frescoes may date from the 16th century and could be among the most significant examples in Provence. The wording is expressly cautious both about the dating and this assessment.
The Musée de Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye is dedicated to blacksmith Albert Manuel (1910–1991). Housed in a converted barn, it presents mountain life before mechanisation through farming, domestic life and crafts. It also recreates a traditional dwelling from the Ubaye area and displays household tasks, the processing of wool and hemp, and historic crafts and trades. The Musée de la moto de Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye offers a different perspective on the history of technology: it displays just under 70 roadworthy two-wheelers dating from 1925 to 1996.
Brewery and Local Produce
The Brasserie des Hautes Vallées produces craft beers using traditional brewing methods and malt and hops from organic farming. Tastings are offered on site; visits are available by appointment, and booking ahead is recommended. This combines an insight into the brewing process with a specific opportunity to sample the beers.
The Marché des producteurs et artisans de Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye offers local bread, vegetables, prepared foods, syrup, goat’s cheese, beer, honey and meat. The selection thus ranges from fresh and prepared foods to products such as cheese and honey. The schedule may change; check the current market dates before your visit.
Discover more destinations: La Brillanne, Simiane-La-Rotonde, Saint-Vincent-sur-Jabron, La Bréole, Mane, L'Escale, Larche, Valernes.
View the broader travel overview: Alpes-De-Haute-Provence.
