Discover Montmaur: Culture and Trails

Explore Montmaur through its historic heritage and the trails described here. If you are looking for a hotel for your trip, cultural events, an easy circular walk or a mountain biking route can each offer a different focus. The château shapes the summer cultural programme; the Sainte-Philomène Chapel, the Eglise Saint Pierre aux Liens church and the trails offer different perspectives on Montmaur. When planning your trip, it is especially important to decide whether you want to follow a cultural programme or spend time outdoors.

Culture at the Château de Montmaur

The Château de Montmaur is a remarkable historic monument. Every summer, it opens its doors for performances, concerts, festivals and exhibitions. The cultural programme is therefore tied to the summer season and includes a variety of events. If you want to plan your stay around a particular concert, performance or exhibition, check the dates for your travel period. This will help you incorporate the château’s programme into your travel plans.

Chapel and local heritage

The Romanesque Sainte-Philomène Chapel stands on a hill overlooking the Montmaur plain. In its forecourt is the grave of Antoine Mauduit (1902–1945), regarded as a figure of the local resistance during the Second World War. This site brings together the sacred architecture of the Romanesque chapel and the memory of a member of the local resistance. Its position above the plain and the grave give a visit here a different focus from the seasonal cultural programme at the château. If you are interested in history and architecture, you can include this site in your travel plans accordingly.

A church with a different historical period

The Eglise Saint Pierre aux Liens is a historic site and part of Montmaur’s religious heritage. The foundations of the present building date from the 14th century. Together with the Romanesque chapel, it offers a useful comparison: at Sainte-Philomène, the Romanesque style is the main point of reference, while at the church, the foundations’ connection to the 14th century is the focus. Those interested in religious buildings will find two different historical points of reference here, rather than just one period to explore.

On foot through forest and scree

The Circuit du Pic et du Chamois is a very easy, 3 km discovery loop. It starts at the “Parking des Sauvas” car park and passes through the Les Sauvas state forest, below the impressive south face of the Plateau de Bure and its extensive scree slopes. Chamois can be spotted on the scree slopes along the loop; rock martins nest at Roc des hirondelles. This combines a manageable distance with specific landscape and nature features. Chamois are a possible sighting, not a guaranteed stop on the route. Conditions may affect access; check them before setting out.

Mountain bike route with a climb and descent

Mountain bike route N°33 (Rouge) – Les Sauvas starts in Montmaur. It follows the road uphill to the picturesque hamlet of La Montagne, then descends along a trail via Les Sauvas. This makes it different from the 3 km, very easy discovery loop both in terms of how you travel and the route described: here, the climb and subsequent descent are the main features. Route conditions may vary by season; check them before riding. Depending on your interests, you can plan your trip around either a short, very easy loop or the mountain bike route.

Discover more destinations: Les Orres, La Bâtie-Montsaléon, Les Vigneaux, Vars, Chabestan, Neffes, Saint-André-Dʼembrun, Abries.

For the broader travel overview: Hautes-Alpes.