Thoard sits on a rocky spur and is dominated by a 12th-century bell tower. The medieval settlement, with its defensive character, clusters its houses around the former castle site. Visitors looking for architectural history, a historic village setting and living festival traditions will find several distinct points of interest here.
The keep and medieval village centre
The medieval Donjon-clocher has features of Romanesque buildings in Provence and the Alps dating from the late 12th century. The massive square tower stands 17 metres high; its walls are 1.80 metres thick. Its height and wall thickness give a tangible sense of its construction, while its regional context places the tower within the architectural history of Provence and the Alps.
The Church of Notre-Dame de Bethléem rises above the old village centre and is listed as a historic monument. The keep and church offer contrasting points of interest: the tower stands out for its construction and Romanesque features, while the church is notable for its position above the old village and its protected status. Together with the houses around the former castle site, they shape Thoard’s historic character.
Chapels and trails
Another historic site is the Chapelle Saint-Joseph de la Pérusse. It dates from the 17th century and has an adjoining hermitage. The Chapelle Sainte-Madeleine is located above the village on its rocky spur and can be reached on foot from Thoard in one hour. Check local trail conditions in advance before setting out.
The Sentier du gypse et de Sainte-Madeleine starts 1.5 kilometres beyond the village. When planning your walk, it is worth taking local trail conditions into account. The information about the two destinations offers different guidance: a walking time is given for the Chapelle Sainte-Madeleine, while the starting point for the Sentier du gypse et de Sainte-Madeleine is given as beyond the village.
If you are considering Thoard for a cultural trip, its buildings and chapels offer a range of themes: from the Romanesque keep and the church in the old village centre to chapels from later centuries. The walking destinations add a practical opportunity to set aside time on foot as part of exploring the village’s history.
Fête de la Saint-Blaise and Provençal market
The Fête de la Saint-Blaise takes place in Thoard in February over four days and ends on Tuesday with an aioli meal. The celebrations include a parodic funeral procession through the village: a local resident lies under a blanket on a cart and is paraded around. This unusual ritual gives the festival a distinctive, humorous touch alongside the communal closing meal.
If you are planning to visit for the Saint-Blaise celebrations, check the event date before making your plans. This allows you to arrange your trip around the four-day festival, rather than confusing its dates with those of the historic buildings described as year-round attractions.
The Foire aux agnelles et aux béliers offers another glimpse of local tradition. Visitors can discover the department’s sheep farming, which breeders call “la Préalpes du Sud”. The agricultural fair also includes a large Provençal market. The festivals therefore focus on different themes: Saint-Blaise combines a procession and an aioli meal, while the Foire centres on sheep farming and the market.
The time of year is therefore another factor when deciding whether Thoard suits your stay: its buildings and village history form one thematic focus, while the Fête de la Saint-Blaise takes place in February. If you are interested in the festival, you can plan your trip around it; if you are mainly looking for architecture and local history, you will find these themes reflected in the buildings and chapels.
Discover more destinations: Turriers, Valernes, Larche, Senez, La Brillanne, Valensole, Chaudon-Norante, Pra Loup
For the broader travel overview: Alpes-De-Haute-Provence.
