Discover Selonnet

Selonnet offers a range of reasons to visit: historic buildings, a marked circular route to a geological landmark, longer trails and seasonal activities around Chabanon. The routes vary considerably in length and difficulty; on some trails, you should pay attention to signage, conditions or protective measures.

Cultural history in Selonnet

The Tour Lesdiguières is a surviving remnant of the destroyed castle of the Constable of Lesdiguières. Today, the tower serves as the bell tower of Selonnet church. It has been listed as a historic monument since 9 November 1984. What remains is the tower as a remnant, not the destroyed castle as a whole.

The Chapelle de Notre Dame des Champs has a different historical connection: residents of the hamlet of Champsaurs built it in 1902, and it was restored in 2004. The dates make clear the sequence of construction and later restoration. Together, the two buildings illustrate different aspects of the town’s history: one links to a destroyed castle and now serves as a church bell tower, while the other is a chapel built by local residents and later restored.

Nature and trails around La Grosse Pierre

Selonnet is home to a Natura 2000 site with several sensitive areas. Its aim is to preserve biodiversity. One geological landmark is La Grosse Pierre: the rock weighs more than 500 tonnes, is 5 metres high and has a circumference of 30 metres. It is one of the eight sites of the Géoparc du Pays de Seyne.

A marked 6 km circular trail leads from Selonnet town hall to La Grosse Pierre. Check the trail markings on site before setting out. Comparing the route lengths reveals a clear difference in scale: the circular trail is 6 km, while Trail No. 12, “Tour de Tête Grosse,” is considerably longer at 15.7 km.

Trail No. 12 starts at Place de la Rotonde and passes through the Massif des Monges. It is of moderate difficulty, with 650 metres of ascent and 650 metres of descent, and reaches a maximum elevation of 1,892 metres. The route passes through pastures and blueberry fields and offers views of the Blanche range. Before setting out, check trail conditions and measures to protect grazing animals.

Mountain biking and views over the Blanche Valley

The VTT No. 11 mountain bike route, “Les balcons de Chabanon,” is a family-friendly route on easy trails. It starts at the Chabanon resort and heads towards the Monges chairlift, reaching the Fontaine de Lacasse in Chabanon’s fir forest. Along the way, it offers panoramic views of the Blanche Valley. Before setting off, check the signage and trail conditions.

This route therefore differs in character and trail type from the hiking routes: it is described as a mountain bike route and passes through the fir forest to the Fontaine de Lacasse. The details about the starting point, destination and views give you practical information if cycling is to be the focus of your stay.

Seasonal activities in Chabanon

The Piscine de Chabanon-Selonnet is a heated outdoor pool in a natural, wooded setting and operates seasonally. Below the pool is a woodland mini-golf course with 12 holes; its availability is also tied to the pool’s seasonal operations. If you plan to visit the pool or play mini-golf, check the seasonal opening times before your trip.

The seasonal winter activities at the Chabanon-Selonnet resort include a 3 km ski run illuminated at night. Check the current operating information before making plans. Marked snowshoe trails also lead from the Chabanon resort towards the Domaine de pleine nature du Fanget. Since trail conditions can change, check them before setting out.

Dog-sledding trips through a fir forest start from the Chabanon ski resort. This is a seasonal activity, and availability from the provider may change. This lets you match the routes and seasonal activities to your plans for your stay while keeping their different conditions in mind.

Discover more destinations: Le Vernet, Allos, Châteauneuf-Val-Saint-Donat, Beynes, La Foux-D'allos, Pierrevert, Turriers, Saint-Martin-les-Eaux.

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