Saint-Auban: Gorges, heritage and activities

Saint-Auban combines a striking gorge landscape with historic buildings and a wide range of activities. The Clue de Saint-Auban, the church and the Ecomusée offer different perspectives on the area; trails and activities along the Esteron add to the options for your stay.

Gorges and trails around Saint-Auban

The Clue de Saint-Auban is 300 metres deep. Its rock walls are punctuated by large caves. In the gorge carved between two mountains, the Esteron has cold pools where guided canyoning descents are offered. Safety conditions and professional supervision are essential for this activity.

The Circuit de Tracastel starts at the church square in Saint-Auban and passes through the state forest on Mount Tracastel. Along the way, there are views of the Clue de Saint-Auban, the Saint-Auban plain and the Mercantour Massif. Check current trail signage and any closures before your visit. The long-distance Maralpine route starts from a different point: the Clue car park in Saint-Auban. If you plan to include both routes, knowing that they have different starting points can help you find your way.

History and heritage

The Porte de Tracastel preserves remnants of former fortifications that once protected a castle that no longer exists. The gate was restored in 2007. The site therefore recalls both the fortifications’ former defensive role and their later restoration.

The church of Saint-Auban dates back to the 16th century and has a portal in the Flamboyant Gothic style. The Ecomusée de Saint-Auban offers another perspective on local heritage: it displays objects and activities connected with regional traditions. Tools, documents and photographs illustrate past customs. The historic buildings and museum objects highlight different aspects: on the one hand, the surviving structures; on the other, evidence of everyday life and related activities.

Activities at Terre des Lacs

Terre des Lacs is the municipality of Saint-Auban’s ecotourism park, located at the foot of the village. Activities include descents through the Esteron canyons, treetop courses, climbing and horse riding, as well as trout fishing, hiking and snowshoeing. Seasonal availability can change, so check the current offerings on site.

At Terre des Lacs, almost all activities take place in the park or within a five-minute walk. Visitors are taken by minibus or shuttle to activities that are a little farther away. This practical guidance applies to activities at the park; operating arrangements may change. If a particular activity is important to your plans, check the current conditions in advance.

Another guided outdoor activity is canyoning in the Clue de Saint-Auban. The cold pools are in the Esteron, and the gorge is carved between two mountains. These landscape features set the canyoning descents apart from activities in the park, which also include climbing, horse riding and fishing.

Trout from the lakes

The La Source restaurant is located above Saint-Auban’s two fishing lakes. Its menu features specialities made with trout from the lakes, as well as local or regional produce. The restaurant’s opening is seasonal and weather-dependent. If you plan to visit, check its current opening hours.

Saint-Auban offers different ways to shape your stay: historic buildings and museum objects, views along the Circuit de Tracastel, and guided descents or other activities at Terre des Lacs. The Circuit de Tracastel and the Maralpine long-distance route start at different points in the village; at Terre des Lacs, the short distances within the park and the shuttle connections mentioned above make it easier to find your way to the activities there.

Discover more destinations: Cuébris, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Magagnosc, Èze, Nice, Tende, Le Bar-Sur-Loup, Biot.

View the wider travel guide: Alpes-Maritimes.