Discover Vernas: châteaux, chapel and a hike to Larina

Vernas offers several distinct ways to plan a stay: historic architecture, a megalithic monument, a hike to the Plateau de Larina and a park in the town centre. If you are looking for a hotel in Vernas, first consider whether you would most like to include architectural history, a hike or the park facilities in your itinerary.

Two châteaux and their architectural history

The Château du Cingle was probably built by the Pèlerin family in the second half of the 14th century. Three building sections enclose a rectangular courtyard. On the west side, a high wall with a round-arched portal closes it off. This sequence of building sections, courtyard, wall and portal makes the layout of the complex easy to understand. The Château du Cingle is partially listed as a historic monument. Its protected features are the façades and roofs, as well as the fireplace in the corner room on the first floor.

At the Château de Verna, a square keep dating from the 14th century has been preserved. Its protected features are the façades and roofs, the grand staircase and stairwell, and the landscaped section of the gardens.

Chapel, church and rural heritage

The Chapelle Saint-Joseph was founded between 1623 and 1650 by Raymond Dauphin de Verna and Bonne Pourroy. It was blessed in 1651 and restored in 1978. Its founding, blessing and restoration are three separate milestones in its history.

The privately owned Église Saint-Martin in Vernas was built between 1840 and 1844 and has been abandoned since 1946. Since 2021, the Anrev association has been pursuing a restoration project.

Vernas's rural heritage includes numerous washhouses and fountains. There is also a megalithic monument here known as the “tombe du général” or “tombe du char”. Both names refer to this one monument. The local heritage therefore encompasses fountains, washhouses and an archaeological monument, as well as châteaux and religious buildings.

Hiking and a climbing site

Vernas lies along the freely accessible “Tour du plateau de Larina par Hières-sur-Amby et Vernas” hiking route. The route leads to the Plateau de Larina, with its cliffs and archaeological site. When planning your outing, you can consider both the named hiking route and its destination on the plateau: the landscape and archaeological heritage go hand in hand here.

To reach the Site d'escalade de Vernas climbing site, take the road towards Hières-sur-Amby. Parking is available near the Chapelle Saint-Joseph; from there, a 150-metre path leads to the site on the right. These directions provide specific guidance for the final section. If you are planning a visit to the climbing site, check the access information beforehand.

Park in the town centre

In the centre of Vernas, a landscaped park has a children's playground and a green space for relaxation. There are also football and pétanque pitches, as well as a tennis court. These facilities offer different ways to spend time in the town centre, from relaxing on the green space to using the sports areas mentioned. If you want to use a particular facility, check which amenities are currently available before your visit.

The sights and activities each offer a different focus: the châteaux and the Chapelle Saint-Joseph showcase architectural and local history, while the hike to the Plateau de Larina takes in cliffs and an archaeological site. The park adds facilities in the centre of Vernas to this selection.

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