Saint-Crépin: Mule Track, Churches and River Sports

Saint-Crépin brings together an old mule track, a village centre laid out in a spiral, and churches with different architectural histories. There are also opportunities for white-water sports and flying activities. If you are looking for a destination with attractions ranging from nature and outdoor pursuits to regional architectural history, these experiences may help you decide.

Nature and trails

The Sentier des Thurifères

The Sentier des Thurifères is an old mule track linking the village with the hamlet of Les Guions. It has an elevation gain of 390 metres, climbing from 910 to 1,280 metres. Along the route, you can admire remarkable examples of the rare Phoenician juniper. So, in addition to its changes in elevation, the trail offers a direct connection with the area's plant life. Anyone interested in hiking and nature will find a described route with a clearly named destination and a notable elevation figure.

Activities on the river and in the air

The Durance, Guil and Clarée rivers in the valley offer a range of white-water sports, including kayaking, rafting and white-water swimming. A white-water centre is located at the entrance to Camping de l’Ile. Operators and conditions change seasonally, so check which options are suitable for your visit before making specific plans.

Stip-Yaks in Les Pasques offers introductory, beginner and advanced courses in small groups of no more than five people. Activities include kayaking, rafting, air boating and hot-dogging on rivers in the Hautes-Alpes, as well as in Italy and Slovenia. As the offer may change, it is best to confirm available courses and conditions in advance.

Saint-Crépin airfield also offers activities: gliding lessons are available there. You can also take part in mountain flying or receive further training in it. If this is important to your trip, check availability locally before planning around it.

Churches and local history

In the village centre, the streets are laid out in a spiral around the church. The parish church of Saint-Crépin and Saint-Crépinien replaced the former Notre-Dame church, which served the communities of Saint-Crépin and Eygliers when the two communities were united. At the parish church, the narthex forms the base of the bell tower; this arrangement is considered unique among churches from the same period. The north façade is made of cut and assembled pink marble from the region.

The Chapelle Saint-Michel in Le Villard has a different building history. A chapel already existed here and was mentioned in 1560. The present building was constructed around this earlier chapel: work began in 1856 and took two years. Pink marble is also a feature of its architecture, forming the base of the bell tower. The Église Notre-Dame is built in the Lombard style.

The Église Vieille was built in the 5th century on an earlier Gallic place of worship. Its restored choir, the foundations of the nave walls and the bell tower can still be seen. Its special value also lies in the fact that very few churches from this period remain in a comparable, visibly preserved condition. In summer, the Pays Guillestrin organises guided tours of the village centre; dates vary.

Saint-Crépin’s architectural heritage also includes the Copropriété du Barry. It bears the French “Patrimoine du XXe siècle” label, awarded to it on 15 March 2007 by the Commission régionale du patrimoine et des sites. Together with the churches and the spiral-shaped village centre, it offers a multifaceted view of the village’s architectural history.

Discover more destinations: Risoul, Gap, Saint-Jean-Saint-Nicolas, Laragne-Montéglin, Aiguilles, Villar-D'arêne, Sigoyer, La Piarre

For the regional travel overview: Hautes-Alpes.