Vallee de l'Ubaye travel guide
Visit Vallee de l'Ubaye (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France)
Photo Gallery Book a visitThe Vallée de l'Ubaye is a lovely mountain valley in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department of France (in the Provence region).
The valley is particularly scenic from Barcelonnette, past Jausiers to St -Paul sur Ubaye and on to the small village of Maurin and at the other end at the Lac de Serre-Poncon.
Explore the Vallee de l'Ubaye
This area close to the Italian border is a particularly lovely part of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department. The Ubaye valley starts at the Lake of Serre-Poncon, itself very attractive, passes by Barcelonnette and onto Jausiers.
After Jausiers you will come to the tiny village of Condamine-Chatelard and on the hillside above here you can see the imposing Fort de Tournoux built in the middle of the 19th century.
It is possible to visit the fort which was originally built to defend the Ubaye valley from an attack from Italy.
On leaving Condamine-Chatelard the road climbs and the scenery becomes more Alpine and utterly stunning.
The tiny village of Saint Paul sits on the edge of the highest part of the valley and from here the road narrows and climbs and leads you into the high mountains. The road ends at Maljasset where there is a gite-auberge. After Maljasset there is a very scenic walk to the Col du Longet
Jausiers
Jausiers like Barcelonnette has some beautiful villas built by locals who went to Mexico to make their fortunes and returned rich to build themselves lovely villas, often in the 'Belle Epoque' style which was popular at the time (early 20th century). Jausiers has 20 of these villas (Barcelonnette has around 50). They are private but still interesting to see.
The best is the Villa des Magnans which is based on the Chateau de Neuschwanstein in Bavaria. This superb building is now a 3 star hotel. To get a view take the road towards the Moulin d'Abriès as you leave Jausiers.
As well as being in the Ubaye valley Jausiers is on the edge of the road leading to the Col de la Bonette and on the the Vallee de la Tinee. This road to and just beyond the Col de la Bonette is the highest road in Europe. The Tour de France has taken this road four times - in 1962, 1964, 1993 and 2008.
Attractions nearby
Be sure to visit The Lake de Serre-Poncon at the begining of the Ubaye valley.
Barcelonnette is a lovely town in the valley and well worth exploring.
See more scenic highlights in France. You can find more travel ideas in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence guide and the Provence guide.
Photos of Vallee de l'Ubaye
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Map of Vallee de l'Ubaye and places nearby
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Barcelonnette
Barcelonnette has an attractive town centre, and also a good number of substantial 'Mexican villas' adding character to the town
Barcelonnette guide
Embrun
The historic centre of Embrun is usually visited at the same time as the leisure lake of Lac de Serre Poncon
Embrun guide
Colmars-les-Alpes
In the mountain village of Colmars highlights include the Fort de Savoie and fortified medieval gateways
Colmars-les-Alpes guide
Mont-Dauphin
The fortified mountain town of Briancon, one of the highest towns in Europe, is dominated by its historic fortifications
Mont-Dauphin guide
Seyne-les-Alpes
In the mountain village of Seyne you can see various parts of the medieval defences that once stood here, and a pretty village
Seyne-les-Alpes guide
Lake Serre-Poncon
Among many beautiful Alpine lakes we mention the Lac de Serre-Poncon because of its spectacular setting and wide range of leisure activities
Lake Serre-Poncon guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
Address: Jausiers, Barcelonnette, Provence, 4850, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 44.4186, longitude 6.7314
Plan your visit to Vallee de l'Ubaye, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Col de la Bonette: site of natural beauty (12 km)
- Col d'Allos: site of natural beauty (17 km)
- Col de la Cayolle: site of natural beauty (18 km)
- Source - Verdon: site of natural beauty (18 km)
- Lac d'Allos: site of natural beauty (21 km)
- Place Forte de Mont-Dauphin: national monument (29 km)
- Mont-Dauphin place forte (Vauban fortifications): heritage site (29 km)
- Lac de Serre-Poncon: site of natural beauty (32 km)
- Queyras: regional natural parc (35 km)
- Cirque de Viso: site of natural beauty (38 km)
- Col de la Lombarde: site of natural beauty (41 km)
- Clue de Barles: site of natural beauty (43 km)
The French version of this page is at Vallee de l'Ubaye (Francais)