A towering rock, a bell tower with a history tied to a castle, and routes with varied profiles shape the view of Selonnet. This makes the town an interesting destination for a trip where you can weigh up heritage and outdoor activities: the town’s history is reflected in specific buildings, while the trails differ in length, terrain and orientation.

Heritage with traces of different eras

The Tour Lesdiguières is a surviving remnant of the destroyed castle of the Connétable de Lesdiguières. Today, it serves as the bell tower of Selonnet church and has been listed as a Monument historique since November 9, 1984. This structure brings together a historical link to the castle, its current function as a bell tower and its protected-monument status.

The Chapelle de Notre Dame des Champs tells a different story: the residents of the hamlet of Champsaurs built it in 1902, and it was restored in 2004. Those interested in built heritage will find two distinct points of reference here: the tower associated with the castle and a chapel with established construction and restoration dates.

La Grosse Pierre and the landscape

La Grosse Pierre is a geological feature weighing more than 500 tonnes, standing five metres high and measuring 30 metres in circumference. It is one of the eight sites of the Géoparc du Pays de Seyne. These measurements give this natural landmark a tangible sense of scale; its significance for an outing can also be combined with a trail: a marked, six-kilometre loop starts at Selonnet town hall and leads to La Grosse Pierre. Check the trail markers locally before setting out.

Selonnet is also home to a Natura 2000 site with several sensitive zones. The Natura 2000 site is intended to protect biodiversity.

Compare trails by length and activity

For a longer loop, Trail n°12 “Tour de Tête Grosse” is an alternative to the six-kilometre trail to La Grosse Pierre. This moderately difficult loop starts at Place de la Rotonde, passes through the Massif des Monges and is 15.7 kilometres long. It involves 650 metres of elevation gain and 650 metres of descent, and reaches a maximum altitude of 1,892 metres. Along the way, the route crosses pastures and blueberry fields and offers views of the Blanche range. Before setting out, check trail conditions and measures to protect livestock.

For a mountain biking route, VTT n°11 “Les balcons de Chabanon” offers a different profile: it is described as a family-friendly route along easy trails and starts at the Station de Chabanon. From there, it heads towards the Monges chairlift and on to the Fontaine de Lacasse in the Chabanon fir forest. The route includes panoramic views of the Blanche Valley. Check the trail markers and conditions before setting off.

Seasonal activities in Chabanon

The Piscine de Chabanon-Selonnet is a heated outdoor swimming pool in a natural, wooded setting and operates seasonally. Below the pool is a forest mini-golf course with twelve holes; its availability also follows the swimming pool’s seasonal schedule. If you plan to enjoy these activities, check their current availability before your trip.

The Station de Chabanon-Selonnet’s seasonal winter activities include three kilometres of ski runs illuminated at night. Check current operating information for your travel dates. Marked snowshoe trails also lead from the Station de Chabanon towards the Domaine de pleine nature du Fanget; trail conditions may change. Dog-sled rides start at the Chabanon ski resort and pass through a fir forest. They are seasonal, and the operator’s availability may vary.

When choosing accommodation, you can first consider which of Selonnet’s attractions is most appealing for your trip: its buildings and their history, the geological feature and its marked loop, a mountain biking route or longer loop, or a seasonal activity in Chabanon. The stated trail lengths and elevation gains help distinguish between the two loops; for seasonal activities, checking availability is the practical planning step.

Discover more destinations: Chaudon-Norante, Allemagne-En-Provence, Curbans, Saint-Laurent-Du-Verdon, La Palud, Aubignosc, Vachères, L'Escale.

For the broader travel overview: Alpes-De-Haute-Provence.