Colmars les Alpes

Discover the beautiful village of Colmars-les-Alpes in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence

Colmars-les-Alpes is a beautiful medieval mountain village located in the upper Verdon Valley between the Col d'Allos and Saint-André-les-Alpes.

It is one of the most beautiful villages in France. The wooded mountain landscapes surrounding Colmars are magnificent and often sunny. Beautiful, long walks or bike rides will allow you to appreciate this lush and bountiful nature up close. Its tumultuous past has left it with an impressive military heritage: the village is surrounded by ramparts and guarded by two forts.

The History of the Village

At the end of the 14th century, Colmars was a border town with the territory of the Duke of Savoy; this location required a system of defenses to ward off attackers. Its defensive role was thus reinforced over the centuries following numerous wars and fires.

It was in the 17th century that Colmars was equipped with a well-developed system of fortifications, which gives it its current appearance.

A beautiful old village

As you wander through the narrow streets of Colmars-les-Alpes, you’ll come across charming old houses and lovely little squares adorned with fountains that lend the village its unique character. You’ll soon understand why Colmars is listed among the “Villages and Towns of Character.”

Ideal for hiking

You’re just a stone’s throw from the Mercantour National Park, the Verdon Regional Park, the lavender fields and the Verdon Canyon, along with their activities, are not far away. You’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to hiking, and in winter you can go cross-country skiing in the Ratery area and enjoy the snow.

The “Vasques de la Lance” (Lance Pools)

Don’t miss the hidden treasure of the Lance Pools near Colmars, a small oasis of coolness in summer. Over the centuries, the Lance torrent has carved out a series of pools and waterfalls at an altitude of over 1,700 meters.

From the Pont de la Serre parking lot, it takes about a 30-minute walk to reach the site. Swimming is prohibited and dangerous, but the coolness of the site and the silence of the mountains are well worth the detour.