Discover Château-Arnoux-Saint-Auban

Château-Arnoux-Saint-Auban is located in Haute Provence on the right bank of the Durance, in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department. Historic buildings, trails through the countryside and activities around the airfield offer different possible focuses for your stay.

Location and protected landscape

The Allée cavalière connects the Ferme de Font Robert with the château. Since 1951, it has been classified as part of the protected natural sites and natural monuments. Here, you will encounter both a specific connection between two places and a protected landscape area. Those interested in walks and hiking routes will also find trails with different destinations and itineraries.

Château, churches and craftsmanship

The Château de Château-Arnoux was built between 1510 and 1515 by Pierre de Glandeves, the local lord at the time. One notable detail is its spiral staircase: it has 84 steps, each carved from a single stone. The staircase has been classified as a historic monument since 1969. Visits are possible on request during town hall opening hours.

The churches also tell of different building periods. The Church of Notre Dame de la Consolation dates from 1634; its bell tower was built in 1666 and rebuilt in 1829. The Chapelle Saint-Jean was built in 1668 by four brothers from the Ricard family and has been an important pilgrimage site since its construction. For the Chapelle Saint-Jean-Baptiste, Bernar Venet created steel furnishings, including an altar, benches, a cross and stained-glass windows.

The history of the town also includes pottery: in 1783, Château-Arnoux had at least eight pottery workshops. Their specialties included jugs. The number of workshops and this particular product bring the historic craft to life.

Hiking with different destinations

The Tour du lac de l'Escale is an easy, 9.6-kilometre family circular route and discovery trail. It starts and ends at the Ferme de Font Robert and passes through Château-Arnoux-Saint-Auban, Volonne and L'Escale. The route thus forms a circuit through several municipalities; no walking time is given here.

Two hiking trails lead to the Chapelle Saint-Jean-Baptiste. One starts at the Blachon cemetery in Château-Arnoux, the other on the road to the Saint-Jean reservoirs. The two trails can be combined into a loop. Another marked route, 4.5 kilometres long, leads to the Belvedere de Saint-Jean. It starts at the town hall or the Renaissance château, passes through the old village and pine forests, and leads to an orientation table overlooking the Durance Valley. The description, updated on 2 April 2025, marks this route as closed; check access before travelling.

Saint-Auban airfield and activities

There are several different activities around Saint-Auban airfield. The Centre National de Vol à Voile offers a health trail open year-round, with views of gliders and the Pénitents. Check trail conditions before setting out. Walkers and families can also take a circuit around the airfield grounds and view the protected site; check the arrangements for visiting before you arrive.

The Aéroclub de Haute-Provence runs a flight school at the airfield, where beginners and those with experience can learn to fly. Its offerings include introductory, sightseeing and discovery flights. If you are considering a flight, confirm current availability before booking.

Since 2015, the Les Ailes Jarlandines association has been a member of FFPLUM. At the airfield, it offers ULM sightseeing flights, introductory sessions and pilot training, as well as the opportunity to obtain a ULM licence for three-axis aircraft and/or paramotors. Here too, check in advance whether flights and training are currently available. At the Air Model Club de Château-Arnoux, those aged 11 and over can get started in model aviation; dual-control models are used to teach flying. Check access to the club before your visit.

Getting there and finding a hotel

Château-Arnoux-Saint-Auban can be reached by train, including from Marseille, Lyon and Paris, via Saint-Auban station. Check the timetable for your travel date. When looking for a hotel in Château-Arnoux-Saint-Auban, it helps to think in advance about whether historic buildings, hiking trails or activities at the airfield will be the main focus of your stay.

Discover more destinations: Les Omergues, Le Lauzet-Ubaye, Valensole, Peyruis, Revest-Saint-Martin, Montsalier, Enchastrayes, Gréoux-Les-Bains.

For the broader travel overview: Alpes-De-Haute-Provence.