Brunet: Landscape, Hiking Trails and History

Brunet brings together hiking trails, landscapes and local history. If you’re looking for a hotel in Brunet, consider which aspect of this destination interests you most: its hillside location, a hike with historical significance, or the Église Saint-Martin. These topics offer different points of reference to help you decide.

Hillside location above the plain

Brunet lies at an altitude of 425 metres on the left bank of the Asse and was built on the northern slope of the Valensole Plateau. The village is situated above the Valensole plain, while also offering unobstructed views of the river. Its elevation, hillside setting and riverside location describe different aspects of the same topography: the elevation situates Brunet, the northern slope describes its position relative to the plateau, and the view draws attention to the Asse. The village setting thus combines an elevated position with the river and the plain below. If you consider the landscape when choosing a destination, Brunet’s specific elevation and riverside setting are useful points of reference, as well as its buildings.

Hiking trails with historical significance

Several hiking trails in Brunet invite you to go for a walk. One leads to a high wall, a remnant of a feudal castle. This trail therefore combines exercise with a specific historical connection: the wall is a structural remnant of the castle and also the route’s destination. If you’re interested in the village’s history as well as its landscape, you can experience both on a walk here. The trail to the wall offers a different focus from exploring a single building.

The Église Saint-Martin

The Église Saint-Martin is a Romanesque church with a flat-ended apse. This flat apse describes the shape of the chancel’s eastern end, adding an architectural detail to its stylistic classification. The building’s history extends beyond its form: the church was once a priory chapel established by Montmajour, before belonging to the cathedral of Riez in 1204. It has housed relics of Saint Christine since 1713. The architectural form, former ecclesiastical affiliation and relics are different ways of approaching the same building. The dates refer to two separate aspects: 1204 to its ecclesiastical affiliation, and 1713 to the relics. Unlike the trail to the wall, the focus here is on architecture and ecclesiastical history rather than a hiking route.

Ancient traces and former peach production

Roman remains were unearthed in Brunet in the 1950s. A presumed ancient road is thought to have passed through the village. The evidence varies: on the one hand, there are excavated remains; on the other, a possible road route. Brunet’s ancient past can thus be linked to both a specific discovery and a historical trace that is explicitly uncertain. Agriculture is also part of the village’s history: Brunet was long known for its peach production. This adds another facet of the village’s past to its ecclesiastical history and ancient traces.

Discover more destinations: Thorame-Haute, Soleilhas, Mallemoisson, Sisteron, Saint-Vincent-sur-Jabron, Valensole, Prads-Haute-Bléone, Mezel

For an overview of the wider region: Alpes-De-Haute-Provence.