Villars-Colmars: Trails and Heritage

Villars-Colmars lies at mid-mountain altitude in the Haut-Verdon Valley, between Croix du Puy and Gardette. The village is on the right bank of the Verdon, at the foot of Puy-Barre, which rises to almost 1,500 metres. Its three clusters of settlement climb the slope in tiers. The riverside setting, mountain backdrop and distinctive layout of the village give the place a unique setting for a stay that combines nature and cultural experiences.

Choose hiking trails by theme and duration

The Amountagna discovery trail starts in the village and introduces visitors to pastoralism and transhumance in the Haut-Verdon Valley. Ten information panels cover topics such as shepherding, sheep farming, the upkeep of mountain pastures, predation, forests, interpreting the landscape and biodiversity. The trail connects the landscape with the ways it is used, and its stops offer different opportunities to learn about mountain life.

Another highlight is the themed oratory trail. It leads to 15 oratories, is described as accessible to everyone, and takes an hour round trip. As trail conditions can vary seasonally, it is a good idea to check them before setting out. For planning purposes, this tour is a shorter alternative to the hike to the Plateau des Chasts and the Cabane Marie-Louise: this round trip is of moderate difficulty, 6 kilometres long and takes about 3 hours.

On the route to the Plateau des Chasts, the trails cross the Plateaus of Chasse and their mountain pastures. The Sagnes and Marie-Louise huts mark this pastoral route. If you are comparing hikes by duration, the one-hour oratory trail takes less time than this longer hike, which takes about three hours; in addition to its duration, it is also described as moderately difficult.

The route to the Cabane de Chabaud-Joyeux starts at a car park 300 metres before the hamlet of Chasse, next to an oratory. From there, it passes through larch forest and reaches alpine meadows in the Ravin de Chabaud. Near the Cirque de Juan, the path climbs through the forest by 200 metres; in spring, it reaches a green basin. The two descriptions highlight different landscapes: larch forest and alpine meadows on one route, and the forest climb and the basin’s spring greenery on the other.

The Panoramique de Chasse runs along the left bank of a fast-flowing mountain stream and offers views of the hamlet of Chasse and Villars-Colmars. The La Croix du Puy route starts at the Pénitents car park, at an altitude of 1,280 metres, not far from the church. The Les Cabanes du Puy route also passes the Chapelle Saint-Pierre. When choosing a route, you can therefore consider not only walking time but also whether you are more interested in scenery, altitude or a cultural and historical stop along the way.

Village layout, churches and historic sites

The village itself also offers several cultural highlights. The Église de la Transfiguration dates from the 18th century. Its elongated floor plan, two naves and flat-ended choir facing west are distinctive features of the building. The Chapelle Saint-Blaise stands in the heart of the village; its dedication has been documented since the 19th century. The Chapelle Saint-Pierre was built no later than the 18th century and contains an altarpiece from that period. The three buildings therefore differ both in their described architectural features and in the historical details given about their construction and dedications.

Another cultural and historical stop is the sundial on Place Aco de Gravier, which is part of the self-guided village tour and is freely accessible. Every summer, during the first half of August, Pierre Bonnet also leads a guided tour of Villars-Colmars. Check the exact dates before your trip. Those interested in architecture and village history can choose between a self-guided tour, the named buildings and the guided tour; the hiking trails add a range of landscapes and durations to these options.

Discover more destinations: Jausiers, Saint-Jeannet, Chabrières, Sigonce, Castellane, Lurs, Puimoisson, Villeneuve.

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