Exceptional sites
The Ubaye river
The unspoilt, mysterious Ubaye river is often considered to be one of Europe's most beautiful rivers. It runs unhindered, offering more than 50 km of navigable routes. The Ubaye is one of the best rivers for white-water sports and is known for hosting high level sporting events. Two of its tributaries are navigable: the Ubayette and the Bachelard. From April to November, it's the ideal place to try your hand at rafting, riverboarding and kayaking. Whether you're a novice or expert, you can enjoy a tailor-made white-water experience !
Lake Serre-Ponçon
Lake Serre-Ponçon is France's largest artificial lake. The emerald-coloured waters, fed by the river Ubaye, glisten like a jewel nestled at the foot of the mountains. It's a wonderful oasis of calm for those who enjoy swimming, water sports or just relaxing.
La Bonette pass
At 2802 metres, this is the highest pass in the Alpes de Haute-Provence and the 4th highest road pass in Europe.
Located in the Mercantour National Park, this route links the Ubaye Serre-Ponçon Valley with the Tinée Valley in the Alpes Maritimes.
Once you reach the top, enjoy the 360° panorama of some of the most famous peaks in the Alps.
A heritage of fortifications
The geographical features of the Ubaye Ponçon Valley mean it is a veritable crossroads between Piedmont, Savoy and Provence and explains its rich history
Haxo, Séré de Rivière, Vauban, Maginot... Many strategists who have been responsible for the defence of France have invested in our valley and, over the years, have constructed an impressive military heritage.
Some of these structures remain open to the public and are witness to the military past
The Châtelet bridge
An architectural marvel of its time, this structure was built between 1880 and 1882 and reaches a height of 108 metres.
While seeming to hold apart the rocky walls, this arch over the void remains the only means of access to the village of Fouillouse (Abbé Pierre's native hamlet).
It has been a listed site since 1938 and is a must-see location for admiring the grandiose view.
The Parpaillon tunnel
The strong military presence in the Ubaye valley has meant that road infrastructures have been developed and improved over time, such as the road to the Col d'Allos or the drilling through of the Parpaillon tunnel.
General Baron Berge decided to dig this tunnel to avoid crossing the pass, which was located at an altitude of 2783m and became dangerous the moment the first snow fell. Work on the 468 m long, 5 m wide structure started in 1900.