Saint-Vincent-sur-Jabron lies in the Jabron Valley, beside the Jabron stream. The Montagne de Lure, Montagne de Mare, Montagne de Saint-Michel and Montagne de PĂ©legrine surround the village. There are different ways to shape a stay: a short cultural trail leads to traces of the old village, the Jardins des papillons are dedicated to the butterflies of the Jabron Valley, and a mountain-biking route is rated difficult. This lets you give village history, nature and activity the emphasis that suits your interests.
Cultural trail and the history of old Saint-Vincent
The circular route “Saint-Vincent au fil du temps” is 1.1 kilometres long and signposted as a very easy walk. It leads to old Saint-Vincent and its church, perched above the village. On the return, the cultural trail passes through the ruins of the old village streets. The outward and return sections therefore have different highlights: first the church above the village, then the remains of its old streets. Visitors interested in local history can experience both along this route.
The parish church dedicated to Saint Vincent is the only surviving building of the castle, which stood on the hill above today’s village. There is also a tentative interpretation of the site’s earlier use: the cemetery chapel may have served as Saint-Vincent’s first parish church before the castle was built. The fortifications are also described with caution: Saint-Vincent apparently received walls during the wars of the 14th century. The chapel and the walls thus form part of a historical interpretation, while the church is described as a surviving building of the castle.
Butterflies and village life
At the foot of the old church lie the Jardins des papillons, a space dedicated to protecting biodiversity. The Proserpine association created it in 2014 in partnership with the Saint-Vincent-sur-Jabron municipal administration. Visitors can discover the butterflies of the Jabron Valley outdoors, with free admission.
Le Papotin adds another kind of cultural venue to the village: this association café is also a place for art exhibitions, events, and festive and cultural gatherings. By contrast, the “p’tit marché de Saint Vincent sur Jabron” has set opening hours: it takes place from April to November, every Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, in the village square. The market and association café offer different ways to experience the village—a weekly market in the square and a café with cultural and social functions.
Cycling and hiking
The “Saint-Vincent & Montfroc” mountain-bike route can be accessed from Saint-Vincent-sur-Jabron; alternatively, you can start in Montfroc. The route is a difficult red circular trail, described as typical of mountain terrain. It follows paths, tracks and small paved roads. Compared with the very easy cultural trail, this is a much more demanding option by bike. The different ratings help distinguish the type and stated difficulty of each route, rather than treating both as equivalent excursions.
For hikers, “Un tour dans le Jabron” crosses a bridge over the Jabron to Saint-Vincent-sur-Jabron and finishes by way of the washhouse at the car park. The route description thus outlines the way to the village and the finish at the car park, without specifying a starting point. As trail conditions can change, check the current route before setting out. Another hiking connection is the Jansiac estate in the municipality: one of the variants of the GR 946 “Grande traversée des Préalpes” or the GR de Pays “Tour de la Montagne de Lure” crosses it via the hamlet of Parandière. The two route names should be understood as alternatives, not as a fixed combination.
Discover more destinations
Seyne, Saint-Jeannet, Chabrières, La Brillanne, Aubignosc, L'Escale, Revest-des-Brousses, Puimoisson
For the main travel overview: Alpes-De-Haute-Provence.
