Auzet: Nature, Mountain Trails and History

At the edge of Auzet lies the Cascade du Saut de la Pie, a site within the Haute-Provence Geopark. The cascade can be discovered by car, motorcycle, bicycle or on foot and is freely accessible every day all year round. A geological hiatus and an angular unconformity can be observed here: Upper Triassic sandstones dating from 235 million years ago lie directly on black Upper Carboniferous pelites dating from 300 million years ago; the entire Permian period, spanning 65 million years, is missing.

Nature

Another facet of the landscape is revealed by the Arboretum du Cubertin. Its facilities include information panels about wildlife, a pond, nesting boxes and an observation hut. More than fifty tree species grow in its green, protected surroundings. The arboretum is located in Alpine grassland at an altitude of 1,500 m in the Massif des Monges, about 5 km west of the village of Auzet, and offers a short walk through the higher areas of the locality.

The cascade and the arboretum focus on different aspects: here, the history of the Earth takes centre stage, while there, the emphasis is on the connection between tree species, wildlife and the high-altitude landscape.

Other places in the same selection include Curbans, Seyne, La Javie, La Palud, Jausiers, Digne-Les-Bains, Méolans-Revel and Saint-Étienne-Les-Orgues.

Culture and History

The village of Auzet preserves several old houses built in traditional mountain architecture. They recall the former importance of livestock farming and agriculture to the local economy, which for a long time was based on sheep farming.

The history of the area is also present at Col du Fanget. On 7 May 2005, a memorial plaque commemorating the Righteous of Auzet was unveiled there. The Allouch brothers were brought to Fanget in the municipality of Auzet in spring 1943 and remained there until 1944.

The Tour des montagnes d'Auzet reveals traditional summer cabins, known locally as “campagnes” or “bastié”. Families from Auzet spent the summer in these shelters until the middle of the 20th century.

Nature and Animals

Ferme Béridon is an educational farm in Auzet. Visitors can discover a farm and its human, animal and natural environment there, either alone or in groups. A short path leads around the animal park.

Mountain Trails

Several hiking and mountain biking routes are signposted in the Col du Fanget area. In winter, there are more than 30 km of signposted snowshoe trails. Trail No. 5, “Crêtes de Fissac”, starts at Col du Fanget and is suitable as a short route for beginners to discover the natural and cultural features and become familiar with trail running.

Route 10, “Col de la Grangeasse”, leads from Col du Fanget to the Fissac woodland and, via a large loop, onward to Col de Grangeasse and the Robine ridge. Different route layouts, activities and seasonal forms create various ways to explore Auzet on foot, by mountain bike or on snowshoes.

The “Le Col” hike starts in the centre of Auzet at Place du Graveyron, leads to the hamlet of Les Auberts and through the forest to the Col meadows.

For the higher-level travel overview: Alpes-De-Haute-Provence.