Savournon brings together scenic landscapes and traces of cultural history, from hikes across varied terrain to churches and castle ruins. Before looking for accommodation, you can decide whether you would like to spend your stay mainly outdoors or exploring the area’s history.
Landscapes around Savournon
The Forêt Domaniale de Beynon lies between the municipalities of Savournon and Saint-Genis. Notable plant species grow in the forest, including Alisier de Mougeot, Astragale de Montpellier, Astragale vésiculeux and Chiendent pectiné. The presence of individual species may vary depending on the season. The Crêtes de Revuaire, with their 1,306 m summit, rise above the municipalities of Le Bersac and Savournon. From there, you can see the Channe Valley and surrounding mountains such as Chabre, Arambre and Aujour.
The Gorges du Riou connect the Forêt de Jubéo with the village of Saint-Genis. The Pic de l’Aigle is another defining feature of the landscape: it rises above Savournon and is known for its panoramic views of the surrounding mountain ranges. Access depends on the weather. At Col La Croix, the Oratoire du Col La Croix stands at an altitude of 838 m. From the pass, you can enjoy views of the Massif du Dévoluy, as well as Montagne d’Aujour and Montagne de Saint-Genis.
Hiking, climbing and mountain biking
The Tour du Pic de l’Aigle is a fairly difficult 8.8 km circular hike. The start and finish are at the Hameau de la Buissière, near the Halle communale in Savournon; the recommended parking area is also there. The route passes through marl and meadow landscapes, as well as rocky terrain, by the ruins of a castle and an old church, and through the Mini-Canyon des Eysserennes. The terrain can be steep, and weather can be a factor. Check local trail conditions and parking arrangements before setting out, as both may change.
Mountain biking offers a different focus. The Découverte autour de Savournon à VTT (N°13) route passes through a largely open valley landscape. It follows mostly wide, easy dirt tracks and offers views of the rural surroundings of Savournon. In the late 1980s, the efforts of mountain biking enthusiasts helped make Savournon an important starting point for the sport; at the time, trails in the Forêt Domaniale de Beynon near Jubéo were made suitable for riding. This historical note describes developments at the time.
For climbers, Roc Taillefer is above the Jubéo car park. Its steep, vertical limestone cliff has 14 climbing routes graded from 6a to 7b. Check climbing conditions and access locally. The hike is described as a challenging 8.8 km loop, while the mountain bike route focuses on open landscapes and wide dirt tracks. This makes it easy to distinguish between the activities according to the terrain and level of exertion you are looking for.
Archaeology, churches and castle ruins
Archaeological finds provide evidence of settlement in the Savournon area during the Neolithic, Bronze Age and Roman periods. Two churches date from the 19th century: Saint Jacques-et-Saint Philippe stands in the hamlet of Les Barbes, and Saint Pierre in Plan du Bourg–Villelongue. The Oratoire at Col La Croix contains a small statue of the Virgin Mary.
Those interested in castle history can find the ruins of Savournon’s castles on the La Passée de l’Aigle hike. These include a keep dating from the 12th century on the rock of the Château de l’Aigle. The ruins are exposed, and access is via the trail. Another historical highlight is Savournon’s annual village festival, held at Pentecost. The exact date varies from year to year.
Planning your stay in Savournon
When choosing accommodation in Savournon, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your trip. The Tour du Pic de l’Aigle hike combines varied terrain with historical stops and a clearly specified route length. The VTT route, by contrast, follows wide, easy dirt tracks through open countryside. Churches, the Oratoire and castle ruins add distinctive cultural and historical attractions to these outdoor experiences. When looking for accommodation, you can use these options to decide which interests matter most during your stay.
Discover more destinations: Châteauroux-Les-Alpes, Ventavon, Trescléoux, Le Sauze-Du-Lac, Sigoyer, Crévoux, Aspres-Sur-Buëch, Sainte-Colombe.
Go to the broader travel overview: Hautes-Alpes.
