Cipières: Village History and Hikes

Cipières sits on a viewpoint, with far-reaching views of the pre-Alpine Cheiron massif and the Loup Valley below. In the village, the houses stand close together. Their arrangement along the lanes follows the layout of the former defensive walls. The landscape and village setting give Cipières two distinct sides: sweeping views across the valley and a tightly woven network of lanes and historic buildings.

Church, Château and Village History

The present-day Church of Saint-Mayeul was built between 1564 and 1597 and is a Baroque church. Its bell tower is covered with glazed tiles, and an ironwork campanile dates from the 18th century. Visitors interested in architecture can observe different details on the building: the tower’s tiled roof and the campanile’s wrought-iron work.

The château is also part of the village’s architectural history: construction began as early as the 11th century. Another Baroque landmark is the Chapel of Saint-Claude, notable for its size and brightness. The Cabane de Pons, in turn, is a remarkable dry-stone structure, especially for its dimensions and state of preservation. Together, these buildings tell the story of different forms of construction, from the château to the church and chapel, and the stone hut.

Cipières’ history is also reflected in the landscape. The village was long known for wheat cultivation, and numerous threshing floors and stone huts still bear witness to it today. Those exploring the village and its surroundings will encounter not only individual historic buildings, but also traces of earlier agricultural use.

Comparing Two Hikes from Cipières

Two hikes with different difficulty ratings are available for planning your outing. The hike to the Plateau de Calern starts in Cipières, is rated moderate and takes three to five hours. The hike to the Collet des Graus de Pons also starts in the village; it is rated easy and takes two to three hours. The two options differ in duration and difficulty, but both start from the same place.

On the way to the Plateau de Calern, the route crosses a karst landscape with limestone pavements and sinkholes. It also passes the Aven des Baudillouns, whose entrance shaft is more than 80 metres deep. These landforms give the longer, moderate hike its own character: karst terrain and the cave entrance are highlights along the way, while the duration and difficulty information can help with planning. Trail conditions may change; check them before setting out.

Long-Distance Trails and Routes

Cipières is also connected to long-distance hiking trails. The GR51 passes through the village. From Cipières, the GR4 leads directly to the Plateau de Calern in the direction of Caussols. Elsewhere, the GR4 crosses the Loup at the so-called Roman bridge, which was rebuilt in the 18th century. These trail and bridge connections are distinct from the two local circular hikes: they describe other route sections and landmarks, not the same hike.

The Cipières geocaching route links two themes in separate sections. The first leads into the mountain landscape and explores dry-stone building traditions; the second focuses on the village. The route takes you into sensitive habitats that are home to numerous protected and endemic species. The Cabane de Pons and the stone huts in the surrounding area also offer a chance to see dry-stone construction, while the lanes and architectural history take centre stage in the village. Cipières thus offers several ways to shape a stay, from village architecture to hikes through the karst landscape.

Discover more destinations: Berre-Les-Alpes, Massoins, Roquesteron, Marie, Lantosque, Cannes, Le Rouret, Entraunes.

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