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Home > Discover the Alpes de Haute-Provence > Towns, small towns and typical villages > Colmars les Alpes
Colmars les Alpes
A cultural adventure in the Mercantour Natural Park | TOURIST INFORMATION |
- Colmars-les-Alpes Tourist Office : Tel 04.92.83.41.92.
- See also : Val d’Allos, Saint-André-les-Alpes.
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 MORE ABOUT THIS TOWN DESIGNED BY VAUBANBuilt on the banks of the Verdon at a point where it is only an impetuous torrent, Colmars-les-Alpes is striking in its fortifications: ramparts encircle its dwellings and the two Forts of the Sentinel of the Alps network bear witness to a long and often tumultuous past.
A prosperous community thanks to drapery in the Middle Ages, the town became a frontier in 1388 and François 1st improved its medieval enclosure. At the end of XVIIth century, Vauban equipped the town with a set of highly developed fortifications. Colmars also has rich surroundings. There is some fine lavender, which recalls Provence, along with the sun and the deep-blue sky. The mountain lakes, torrents, waterfalls and high mountain pastures of the Mercantour make a natural showcase where many varieties of plants and animals thrive in the National Park.
In summer and in winter, not far from the ski resorts of the Val d'Allos, Colmars-les-Alpes satisfies both those who love history and old stones and those who love the mountains and the open-air.
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HERITAGE |
- Fort of Savoie : open on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday in July and August and by appointment out of the summer season.
- Chapel of Saint-Joseph : Provencal gothic style, altar-piece, XVIIth century.
- Church of Notre-Dame-des-Grâces : Provencal gothic style, altar-piece, XVIIth century.
- Chapel of Saint-Martin : Provencal gothic style, altar-piece, XVIIth century.
- Battlements.
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WORTH A VISIT |
- Maison Musée : sacred art, old jobs, leisure and tourism at the beginning of XXth century, school around 1900, traditional festivals, mountain butterflies, old-fashioned garden. Open every day from 10am to 12 and from 3 to 6.30pm except Tuesday and Wednesday morning from 1st July to 15th September. Out of season book first. Tel. 06.83.62.71.67.
- Sentier d’interprétation : disvover Colmars' architectural and environmental heritage (1h30 walk).
- Reception and sales point of the Parc National du Mercantour : at the Tourist office. Tel. 04.92.83.41.92.
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MAIN EVENTS |
- Provencal market : Tuesday and Friday morning.
- Feast of Saint-Jean Baptiste : 23rd, 24th and 25th June.
- Rencontres Nature et Santé : beginning of July.
- Ascension of the col des Champs : foot race, mid-July.
- Musiques et Voix du Sud : last week in July.
- Medieval Festival : 2nd Sunday in August and Saturday before.
- Festival du Livre (Book Festival) : 1st weekend in September.
- Escapades d’antan : 1st weekend of the November school holiday.
- Pastoral day : mid October.
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ACTIVITIES - FACILITIES |
- Day care centre in Allos : 8 km away. Tel. 04.92.83.06.57.
- Site de Ratery : nordic area, botanical trail and hiking or mountain-biking in summer, cross country skiing and snowshoe hiking in winter (equipment rentals). Tel. 04.92.83.40.92.
- Trails : many hikes - all levels, waterfall of la Lance and Chaumie, lakes of Lignin, Encombrette, panorama of la Colletta…
- Hiking club : excursions of all types, all year round. Tel. 04.92.83.96.10.
- Swimming pool : heated, open from 1st July to 31st August. Aquagym, events. Tel. 04.92.83.45.31.
- Tennis. Tel. 04.92.83.45.31.
- Libraryl. 04.92.83.41.92.
- Fishing : A.A.P.P.M.A. la Vaubannaise, cards for sale in café de France and the librairie l’Echauguette.
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VILLAGES AROUND |
- Beauvezer : climatic resort, home of the communauté de communes of the Haut-Verdon/Val d’Allos and the Maison des Produits du Pays, Beauvezer is the cradle of local summer tourism. Lists of SELF-CATERING GITES in the area.
- Thorame-Basse : on the banks of the Issole and the Estelle, rich religious heritage, varied hikes and malt-house brewery which produces an excellent mountain beer. Lists of SELF-CATERING GITES in the area.
- Thorame-Haute : one of the largest districts in France with picturesque hamlets, old stone villages full of history such as Peyresc and Ondres, and a nature complex in la Colle Saint-Michel. Green rolling landscapes for both the Thorames where farming and pastoral activities are still carried out. Lists of SELF-CATERING GITES in the area.
- Val d’Allos : Allos, Le Seignus, La Foux and many hamlets. In the Mercantour National Park, a great number of hikes enable you to discover an exceptional environment: the Lac d' Allos, Mont Pelat (3.050 m)… In winter it is the biggest ski area in the Southern alps. Lists of SELF-CATERING GITES in the area.
- Villars-Colmars : the incomparable charm of the narrow streets lined with houses restored in the style of the region with little wooden balconies and stone facing. The superb valley of Chasse for many hikes. Don't forget the Demontzey kiosque, riverain trail and the sports trail. Lists of SELF-CATERING GITES in the area.
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NEARBY |
- Juan climbing site : 6 km away, after Villars-Colmars on the road to the hamlet of Chasse. A limestone bar bathed in sunlight in very beautiful surroundings, 20 mn walk to get there, 40 routes - difficulty 5a to 7c+.
- Riding centres : Villars-Colmars 4 km away, Tel. 04.92.83.49.87. and Thorame-Basse 15 km away, Tel. 04.92.83.94.17.
- Parc aventure d’Arbre en Arbre (treetop adventure playground) : 6 km away in Beauvezer, 2 courses, 130m tyrolean traverse rope and big tarzan. Tel. 06.78.11.89.26. ou 06.16.79.54.34.
- Beauvezer swimming pool 6 km away. Open from June to end of August. Tel. 04.92.83.43.47.
- Allos leisure base 8 km away : 15.000 m² artificial lake, equipped and supervised swimming, water toboggan, children's games, pedal boats, canoes, climbing wall, tennis court, trampoline, mini golf course, beach volley and basket ball court, and football ground, skate park Tel. 04.92.83.01.89.
- Ski resorts of Val d’Allos 8 km away : 170 km of runs, the biggest ski area in the Southern alps, skating rink, ice driving circuit
- Lac d'Allos 15 km away : biggest high mountain lake in Europe (alt: 2.220 m).
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OTHER INFORMATION |
- Altitude : 1.250 m
- Population : 385 inhabitants.
- To get here :
- by train : Chemins de Fer de Provence station to Thorame then bus shuttle. Tel. 04.97.03.80.80.
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