Poligny can be explored through two distinct themes: sacred architectural history in the village and named landscape destinations overlooking the Champsaur. When planning, it is worth keeping these topics separate. The churches are notable for their architectural form, location and long pilgrimage tradition; for the trails, road conditions, the route of the GR93 and a stated round-trip time are relevant. This will help you decide in advance which of these aspects of the area you want to shape your stay.
Churches and History in Poligny
In the centre of the village of Poligny, the Church of Saint-Martin de Tours stands on a rise beside the village square. Its nave and side aisles have barrel vaults. This longitudinal, arched vaulting therefore extends not only over the central nave but also over the side aisles. 1611 is considered a possible date for its reconstruction: the church may have been rebuilt that year.
The Chapelle Saint-Etienne has a different historical connection: its site has been a place of pilgrimage since the Middle Ages. The Chapelle Sainte-Anne, by contrast, is located in the centre of the hamlet of Villeneuve. These differing reference points help with finding your way between the named religious buildings: for Saint-Etienne, it is the site’s pilgrimage tradition; for Sainte-Anne, its location in the hamlet of Villeneuve.
Clearing and Views of the Champsaur
The Veyre de Saint-Etienne is a clearing surrounded by a mountain basin. From there, views extend to the Col du Noyer and the entire Champsaur Valley. The mountain basin and the viewpoints describe two different aspects of this landscape: the shape of the surrounding area and the views from the clearing. Alongside the churches, this offers a clear focus on the landscape that you can take into account when planning your interests.
Roads, the GR93 and Short Round Trips
The climb to the Col du Noyer follows a paved road shared with cars; it is not a cycle path. If you are looking for a separate cycle route, you should take this distinction into account when planning.
The GR93 runs from the Dévoluy in a north–south direction near the Col du Noyer, continuing as far as the Col de Saume at an altitude of 1,703 metres. The Croix de Tournel offers a different kind of orientation: from the Col de Saume, it can be reached on a 30-minute round trip. From there, you can see the Champsaur Valley and the Ecrins Massif beyond the Drac. The information is not interchangeable: for the GR93, the direction and named points are described; for the Croix, a specific round-trip time is given.
The Cabane de Prè-Lachaup, also called the Cabane des pierres, stands at the edge of the forest of Poligny, on the boundary with the forest of Noyer. It is open to everyone and serves as shelter during thunderstorms. After a hike on the descent from the Col de Chétive along the nearby GR93, it can be used to shelter or warm up. Its location, alternative name and shelter function distinguish the hut from the viewpoints and help you classify the destinations mentioned according to their purpose.
Local Produce and Regional Specialities
The local region shapes the identity of the village of Poligny; local producers offer regional specialities. If you would like to include producers or specialities in your travel plans, check locally before you arrive to find out what is available.
Discover more destinations: Prunières, Aspremont, Les Vigneaux, La Saulce, Château-Ville-Vieille, Saint-Eusèbe-En-Champsaur, Puy-Saint-Vincent, Eyguians.
See the full travel overview: Hautes-Alpes.
