Five washhouses, two circular hiking trails and a mountain pass provide different ways to explore La Piarre’s village history and natural surroundings. The lavoirs can be explored along a discovery route from the village to the hamlet of Château. Hikers can compare two circular trails with different starting points; cyclists can also take the Tour du Duffre, a route that passes through La Piarre and crosses the Col de Carabès. Local history, specific hiking destinations and a route linking several valleys are therefore all relevant when planning a trip.
Washhouses and comet history
La Piarre’s five lavoirs are linked to the village’s once-thriving agriculture and successful silver mining. This connects the washhouses with two distinct chapters in the area’s history. Jean-Louis Pons was born in La Piarre in 1761. Over the course of his career, he discovered a total of 37 comets. His story as an astronomer thus adds a very different focus to the history of the area’s former industries.
Landscape and ecological inventory zones
Since the Parc naturel régional des Baronnies provençales was established, La Piarre has been within its boundaries. The commune also falls within two ZNIEFF Type I zones, that is, continental ecological inventory zones: “Rocher d’Agnielle – Crête Saint-Michel – Chabespan” and “Corniches du Duffre et de la Montagne de l’Aup – Versant sud des montagnes de Dindaret et de Peyre Grosse – Serre Embouc”. The inventory information was updated in 2020; the associated document dates from 2021.
The first zone includes rugged limestone slabs and ridges, dry grassland and thermophilous scree slopes. Seven animal species of particular conservation interest have been recorded in this area. The “Corniches du Duffre et de la Montagne de l’Aup” zone includes dry meadows, ridge grassland, stony grassland, calcareous scree slopes and small rocky habitats. These varied habitat types sit alongside the landscape’s designation as part of the regional park.
Two circular hikes, two starting points
The Serre du Charron circular hike (No. 4) starts and ends at the bridge before the hamlet of Château in La Piarre; it reaches a ridge at an altitude of 1,357 metres. Le Duffre (No. 3) starts and ends at the Col d’Arron in La Piarre and reaches the bare summit of the Duffre at 1,757 metres. The two options are easy to distinguish by their landmarks: the bridge before Château and the ridge destination, or the Col d’Arron and the summit destination. Before setting out, check the route conditions for Serre du Charron and access conditions for Le Duffre.
Cycling over the Col de Carabès
The Tour du Duffre cycling loop (No. 3) passes through La Piarre and then crosses the Col de Carabès. At 1,261 metres, this spectacular pass is a crossing for bicycles, motorcycles and cars, linking the upper Drôme Valley and Valdrôme with the Buëch Valley. If you plan to travel this route, check road conditions before setting out; they can change with the seasons.
Discover more destinations: Gap, Lagrand, L'argentière-La-Bessée, Sainte-Colombe, Chabestan, Saint-André-Dʼembrun, Pelvoux, Sigoyer.
For the broader travel overview: Hautes-Alpes.
