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Discovery tour of 2 fortified towns built by Vauban in the 17th c. They have a Provencal feel, but look like impregnable sentinels, with beautiful military architecture that you’ll enjoy contemplating. Beautiful panoramic views along the way.
From Comars-les-Alpes, take the narrow, winding Col des Champs road. Far from being the best-known but undoubtedly the most beautiful pass in the Alps, it passes through a lush forest of larches and numerous meadows. Some beautiful shepherd’s huts dot the route, and the atmosphere is bucolic.
Don’t delay in making your first stop to discover a panoramic view of the fortified town and its Vauban forts from an unobstructed roadside lookout.
Colmars, “City of character and sentinel of the Alps”, has had an eventful history from medieval times to 1713 (Treaty of Utrecht). Its position as a border town for over 300 years with the Duchy of Savoy made it a stronghold with a major defensive system set up under the reign of Louis XIV by the architects of Vauban, and the military works to be discovered here are extensive and very well preserved. A visit to the site is a must!
After a few hairpin bends, you’ll pass the Ratery 1700 nature park, which offers hiking and mountain-biking trails in summer and Nordic skiing and snowshoeing in winter, with a great toboggan run for the kids.
Up to the Col des Champs summit, the road continues its steep ascent to finally reach an altitude of 2045m, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the Aiguilles de Pelens. This is also the realm of marmots, peace and quiet and myriad flowers.
The loop now continues into the Alpes Maritimes department, passing through the hinterland of Nice and pretty little villages such as Saint Martin d’Entraunes and Guillaumes, before rejoining the Alpes de Haute Provence on the RN 202 before Entrevaux.
The fortified town of Entrevaux is not lacking in interest, and it’s well worth taking a break to discover the fortified town from its spectacular stone Pont Levis overlooking the Var river, stroll through the narrow medieval streets, visit the cathedral and make the courageous 1-hour round trip up to the Citadelle, from where the view is impressive.
On the way back, choose the road route via the village of Annot, famous for its sandstone and beautiful chestnut groves, a village of character with pretty cobbled streets, continue on to Le Fugeret before tackling the climb to Colle Saint Michel, offering a beautiful view of the perched village of Méailles, which is well worth a look, and then return to the Haut Verdon valley and your starting point.
road signs
Animaux : Accepted
From 30/04 to 30/11.
Dates inforoutes04: Col des Champs opens on the last weekend in April. Closes the last weekend in November, depending on conditions.
Subject to snow conditions.
Free access.