L'Escale: Lake, Trails and Village History

L'Escale can be explored through several distinct themes: Lac de l'Escale on the Durance, trails with different points of reference, and the history of Vière and Le Bourguet. If you are looking for a hotel in L'Escale, having a clear idea of your trip can help you decide: are you most interested in the lakeside landscape, a trail in the village or the area's history? The following places and routes show how these themes differ.

Landscape around Lac de l'Escale

Lac de l'Escale is a 200-hectare reservoir on the Durance. It extends across the communes of L'Escale, Château-Arnoux and Volonne. The lake is also home to one of the largest wetlands in Provence. The lake and wetland are defining landscape features of the destination; at the same time, the lake extends beyond the commune of L'Escale.

The Panorama du Lac de l'Escale is a landscape interpretation site in the Géoparc de Haute Provence. A viewpoint above the village offers panoramic views. Those interested in the landscape can explore two distinct points of interest here: the lake and wetland on the one hand, and the panorama and its designation as a landscape interpretation site on the other.

The Tour du Lac includes six discovery areas, observation terraces overlooking the Durance and around twenty information panels. These details give a clear picture of the tour: alongside the discovery areas, its listed features also include terraces and information panels. When planning, you can therefore distinguish between the single viewpoint above the village and a tour with several described features.

Trails and getting around the village

Trail No. 1 – Chabanas is a marked 5.2-kilometre loop in L'Escale. It starts at the car park by the church in the village centre. Its length, loop format and starting point together provide specific details to help you plan this trail.

The Balcons de la Durance route starts at the primary school on Rue des écoles in L'Escale. This means different starting points are given for Chabanas and Balcons: the car park by the church in the village centre for one route, and the primary school on Rue des écoles for the other. These landmarks help distinguish the trails.

A botanical trail connects the present-day village with the former medieval village of Vière. Its particular focus is this link between the modern village and the former settlement. This differs from the marked Chabanas loop and the starting point of the Balcons de la Durance route.

Vière and Le Bourguet: different historical connections

The old village of Vière is also known as Vieil Escale. Fountains, calades and old masonry define the site and reveal its history. Those interested in historic village settings will find specific architectural features that bring this character to life.

The archaeological site of Le Bourguet lies one kilometre north of the village of L'Escale. In Gallo-Roman times, it was an important settlement centre. Vière and Le Bourguet therefore represent different historical connections: the former medieval village, with its fountains, calades and old masonry, and an important settlement centre from the Gallo-Roman period.

Friday morning market

A market is held every Friday morning at Place du Bourguet in L'Escale. Stalls sell vegetables, cheese and hot dishes. The market provides a specific time to plan around during your stay: if it matters to your travel plans, check before you arrive whether it is taking place on your travel day.

Discover more destinations: Simiane-La-Rotonde, Villeneuve, La Brillanne, Selonnet, Montclar, Les Thuiles, Volx, Rougon.

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