Saint Paul sur Ubaye
From Barcelonnette (21km away) on the D900 then the D 902 (route des Grandes Alpes), or from Cuneo in Italy (18km from the Italian border).
Discover the high-altitude village of Saint Paul sur Ubaye in the Alpes de Haute Provence
A Mecca for mountaineers and hikers
On the road to the Vars pass, or "Route des grandes Alpes", Saint Paul sur Ubaye is a small village standing on its promontory against a backdrop of vertiginous peaks and rocky teeth.
Saint Paul sur Ubaye is well known to mountaineers, and is the starting point for numerous climbs. It is the highest commune in the Alpes de Haute Provence and the only one to have 34 peaks over 3,000 metres in altitude, including the Brec du Chambeyron (3,390 m), the aiguilles du Chambeyron (3,412 m) and the Brec du Rubren (3,340 m). Not forgetting several renowned climbing sites (Pont voûté, Aiguille Pierre André, Aiguille Large).
The authentic village of St Paul sur Ubaye
Saint Paul sur Ubaye is also a welcoming little village, with its craftsmen (a wooden toy maker, a potter-ceramist...), its gîtes and inns with flower-filled terraces, its pretty fountain (dating from 1714!) and its old wash-house, its wide, well-spaced houses sometimes brightened up by a wooden balcony, its "Valley Museum" housed in an old barn, and its superb mountain church dating from the early Middle Ages, with its shingled roof and Romanesque bell tower.
The Chatelet Bridge
Even if you're not a keen hiker, the song of the torrent below and the absolutely pure air will be enough to revive you! Nearby, don't miss the impressive Chatelet bridge, built in 1882 on a 110-metre drop above the bubbling river, which can be admired from a platform. From the roadside in Maljasset, admire the exuberant fresco on the façade of the chapel of Saint Antoine.
The Col de Vars and the Berwick Redoubt
On the way down to the Col de Vars, stop off at the Berwick Redoubt, a massive stone citadel that is the only remaining of the seven redoubts built by Vauban. Abandoned for two centuries, it became part of the Ubaye defence system in the 20th century, housing a garrison of 50 men and a powder magazine.
Our map of Saint Paul sur Ubaye (postcode 04530)
To find your way around Saint Paul sur Ubaye and the surrounding area, you can use our interactive map on this page. We've included all the points of interest in the village as well as our recommendations for accommodation (hotels, holiday rentals, campsites, etc.) throughout the Ubaye valley and in nearby ski resorts (Vars, etc.).
What to see
Albert Manuel Valley Museum (tools, work, traditions).
Châtelet Bridge (listed historic monument).
Church of Saint Antoine de Maurin (12th century, listed monument).
Church of St Thomas in Tournoux.
The hamlets of Serennes, Fouillouse, Saint Antoine, Maurin, Maljasset, and their sundials.
The Berwick Redoubt. Tournoux Fort.
Chapel of Saint Antoine.
Former green marble quarry (Maurin).
Leisure activities
In winter, 17 km of cross-country ski trails from one wooden bridge to the next.
Snowshoeing, ice climbing. In summer, plenty of hiking, mountain biking and cycle touring.
Climbing, tennis.
Living Museum Day (in August).
Bread festivals. Craft fair (mid-August).
Hotels
Charming wooden chalet hotel, located in the heart of the resort on the slopes. Restaurant, sauna, terrace, snack bar, rooms with balconies with mountain views
Holiday rentals
Studio at the foot of the slopes with one bedroom, flat-screen cable TV and a fully equipped kitchen with dishwasher and microwave. You can enjoy mountain views from the terrace, which also has garden furniture. You can change in the flat's dressing room. The Studio offers a ski rental service, ski-to-door access and a ski pass sales point. You can ski in the surrounding area.
Accomodations
Hotels.
Holiday rentals.
Bed and breakfast.
Your questions about St Paul sur Ubaye
You have sent us many questions about Saint Paul sur Ubaye. Here are our answers to your most frequently asked questions.
Where is the Ubaye valley?
The Ubaye Valley is a superb valley in the Southern Alps in the Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur region. The valley's most famous villages are Barcelonnette, Saint Paul sur Ubaye and the ski resort of Vars.
A good hiking itinerary around Saint Paul sur Ubaye?
There are lots of great walks with beautiful views to be had around the commune of Saint Paul and in the Ubaye valley. We strongly recommend the loop between Saint Paul sur Ubaye and the hamlet of Fouillouse, with its beautiful larch forests and rivers. You can easily find the route on the internet or by asking at the Tourist Office in the centre of St Paul.
Can you recommend a good restaurant?
There aren't any "big" restaurants in Saint Paul sur Ubaye, but you'll be able to enjoy good mountain food at "L'Ubaia" or "L'auberge des granges", both of which we recommend. Ideal after a morning hike to recharge your batteries!
NEIGHBOURING TOWNS AND VILLAGES
La Condamine-Châtelard (9 km), Meyronnes (13 km) and Maljasset (14km).