Faucon du Caire

Faucon du Caire, a village in the Alpes de Haute-Provence to discover in a different way

Are you planning a trip to Provence and looking for something different, far from the crowded coastal resorts? Faucon du Caire is located in the Alpes de Haute-Provence, 30 km north of Sisteron. The village sits at an elevation of 910 meters.

It is the last village before the Col de Sarraut at 980 m, with the highest point being the Roche Cline at 1,718 m to the east. The commune’s geographical location places it within an area of unspoiled nature, between the Durance Valley and the Hautes Terres de Provence.

The municipality covers 1,993 hectares and is home to just 62 residents. The Fauconniers—as the locals are called—live here at a pace that cities have forgotten. You’re not here to check off boxes on a typical tourist itinerary. You’re here to breathe, walk, and discover a region that few travelers have been curious enough to explore.

Hikes around the village

The village is situated on the edge of the Grand Vallon, in the Hautes Terres de Provence. Faucon du Caire offers superb hikes, notably the Ravin de la Piche loop, featuring panoramic views of the wild and unspoiled landscapes of this region. Hiking remains the premier activity here, accessible directly from the village itself, without a car or complicated route.

The Ravin de la Piche trail is a 2.5-hour hike through unspoiled nature that starts at the top of the village and heads toward Le Caire, passing through a beautiful beech forest. Free access, year-round. For the more adventurous, the Grande Fistoire via ferrata—4 km away in the town of Le Caire—runs along a 250-meter cliff face featuring a 60-meter footbridge, a Nepalese bridge, and zip-line descents, starting at 8 euros with equipment rental available on-site.

The Sentier des Contes works like a traveling scavenger hunt between villages: a booklet placed against a “Talking Rock” triggers a story inspired by the local medieval heritage, followed by a riddle leading to the next village. Several routes pass through Faucon du Caire—ideal for families. The GR653D, the Way of St. James connecting Mont Genèvre to Arles, also passes through the village.

The Village’s History

But Faucon du Caire also has an extraordinary history. It was here that Saint John of Matha, founder of the Trinitarian Order—whose mission was to ransom captives during the Crusades—was born around 1160. A sort of early NGO, as local experts put it. This exceptional historical heritage alone is reason enough to make a detour from Sisteron, Digne, or Gap.

The Way of St. James passes through the village, connecting Mont Genèvre to Arles via the GR653D trail. In the 19th century, the town still had a blacksmith’s shop, a wheat mill, and two bread ovens—testaments to a much larger population. Faucon du Caire’s past is evident in every stone, every path, and every chapel.