On the right bank of the Verdon, at the foot of Puy-Barre, Villars-Colmars lies at mid-mountain altitude in the Haut-Verdon Valley, between Croix du Puy and Gardette. Puy-Barre reaches an altitude of almost 1,500 metres. The village itself is also shaped by the slope: three clusters of homes climb it in tiers. For your stay, you can choose between village history and trails through a pastoral mountain landscape as different points of focus.
Village Layout and Historic Buildings
At the heart of the village stands the Chapelle Saint-Blaise. Its dedication to Saint Blaise has been documented since the 19th century. The Église de la Transfiguration dates from the 18th century. Its elongated ground plan, two naves and flat, west-facing chancel end give the building a clearly defined layout. The Chapelle Saint-Pierre stands out for its furnishings: it was built no later than the 18th century and contains an altarpiece from that period.
The sundial on Place Aco de Gravier is also part of the village’s history: it is one of the cultural and historical points of interest on the freely accessible village walk. This lets you explore different forms of architectural heritage within the village, from the church and chapels to a single feature in a public space.
Trails Exploring Village Culture and Pastoralism
The Amountagna educational trail starts in the village and provides information about pastoralism and transhumance in the Haut-Verdon Valley. Ten information panels cover topics such as shepherding, sheep farming, the care of alpine pastures, predation, forests, landscape interpretation and biodiversity. The trail thus combines a route starting in the village with insights into pastoral farming and the landscape it shapes.
Another option is the themed Oratory Trail: it leads to 15 oratories, is described as accessible to everyone and takes one hour round trip. Conditions on this trail may vary by season; check the latest information before your visit. A guided village tour with Pierre Bonnet takes place every summer during the first half of August. If you plan to join, check the dates before travelling.
Hiking by Time and Landscape
The Plateau des Chasts, Cabane Marie-Louise route is a six-kilometre, moderate out-and-back hike that takes about three hours. It crosses the Chasse plateaus and their alpine pastures. The huts of Sagnes and Marie-Louise are part of the route’s pastoral character. In both the time required and the landscape it describes, it differs from the shorter Oratory Trail.
Other routes offer different highlights. Les Cabanes du Puy passes the Chapelle Saint-Pierre, combining the hike with one of the village’s historic buildings. The route to Cabane de Chabaud-Joyeux runs through larch forest and reaches alpine meadows in the Ravin de Chabaud. It starts at a car park beside an oratory, 300 metres before the hamlet of Chasse. The Panoramique de Chasse follows the left bank of a rushing mountain stream and offers views of the hamlet of Chasse and Villars-Colmars.
Route information may also change. The trail to Cirque de Juan climbs through the forest, gains more than 200 metres in elevation and reaches a green basin in spring. The La Croix du Puy route starts at the PĂ©nitents car park, at an altitude of 1,280 metres, near the church. For planning purposes, the difference between the two routes with stated durations is specific: one hour for the Oratory Trail, compared with about three hours for the moderate, six-kilometre plateau route.
Discover more destinations: Noyers-sur-Jabron, Mezel, Céreste, Allemagne-En-Provence, Valbelle, Château-Arnoux-Saint-Auban, Montsalier, Pra Loup.
For the broader travel overview: Alpes-De-Haute-Provence.
