Thorame-Haute: Hotels between high mountains and heritage

Thorame-Haute combines a distinctive mountain landscape with historic churches, hamlets and opportunities for outdoor activities. The commune extends from mid-mountain landscapes to high-mountain terrain above 2,000 metres. If you are looking for a destination for nature, outdoor activities or heritage, you will find a range of options here to help plan your trip.

Landscape between the Issole and Verdon

Thorame-Haute is known as a pastoral landscape between the Issole and Verdon valleys, with farmland and herds. The commune also includes a variety of natural habitats for flora and fauna. The landscape thus combines areas shaped by agriculture with high-mountain terrain; elevations of more than 2,000 metres are also part of the commune.

Churches, chapels and historic architecture

The village parish church of Saint-Georges was destroyed in 1574 during the Wars of Religion and rebuilt between 1598 and 1603. Notre-Dame du Serret is considered the oldest known religious building in the commune. It dates from the 13th century or possibly an even earlier period. The Notre-Dame-de-la-Fleur chapel in Thorame-Gare is a pilgrimage site within the commune of Thorame-Haute.

The buildings in the hamlets also tell of different periods. Peyresq is a rebuilt hamlet in the commune; its preserved architecture reflects medieval, military and religious history. The church of Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption there has roots in the 11th century and is designed in the Alpine Romanesque style. The rebuilding of Peyresq was honoured in 1980 with the Europa Nostra Award and a second prize in the Chefs-d’œuvre en péril awards.

The Pont du Moulin is a 17th-century bridge. It was selected, along with 17 other French monuments, for priority funding through the French Heritage Lottery. In Ondres, the church of Saint-Laurent was rebuilt in 1868. The centre of the hamlet is also home to a historic stone spring and washhouse.

Hamlets and local history

Ondres has a special access requirement: the hamlet can only be reached via a track; access starts below the hamlet at the Verdon. If you plan to visit Ondres, check local conditions before your trip. Another glimpse into local history is the former communal still. As a surviving relic, it recalls lavender distillation and the so-called “blue gold.”

On Whit Monday, a procession goes from the parish church of Thorame-Haute to the sanctuary of Notre-Dame de la Fleur, followed by religious ceremonies. Notre-Dame du Serret is accessible on foot and offers an exceptional view of the Alpine landscapes of Provence. The site attracts hikers, visitors and people interested in history.

Hiking, cycling and cross-country skiing

The Tour du Courradour hike starts in the hamlet of Peyresq. It offers views of mountain forests, high-altitude pastures and open landscapes overlooking the surrounding peaks. Check local route conditions before setting out. The area around Lac des Sagnes is suitable for a family picnic and fishing.

For a longer bike ride, the “Les hautes vallées” route near Thorame-Haute is listed as 72 kilometres long, with 1,062 metres of elevation gain and a stated duration of four hours. It runs at the foot of the Cheval-Blanc massif and Montagne de Coupe. These route figures provide a specific basis for planning the ride, while the landscapes described place the route in its high-mountain setting.

La Colle Saint Michel has a cross-country skiing centre, with ski terrain between 1,430 and 1,800 metres above sea level. Operating conditions are seasonal. Thorame-Haute therefore offers different ways to enjoy the outdoors: a picnic by the lake, a hike starting in Peyresq, a designated cycling route and cross-country skiing in La Colle Saint Michel.

Travelling by Train des Pignes

Thorame-Haute station is on the railway line between Nice and Digne-les-Bains. It opened in 1911 when the line was completed in full. The Train des Pignes reaches Thorame-Haute after Annot and then continues towards Saint-André-les-Alpes at Lac de Castillon. If you plan to travel by train, check the timetable in advance.

Discover more destinations: Montsalier, Faucon-De-Barcelonnette, Niozelles, Sisteron, La Foux, Esparron-De-Verdon, Puimoisson, Simiane-La-Rotonde.

Return to the main travel overview: Alpes-De-Haute-Provence.