The small village of Curel combines a distinctive townscape with trails heading towards Montagne de Lure. Yellow-stone houses, cobbled lanes and winding stairways shape the village. At the same time, Curel is a starting point for hikes towards the mountain range; cycling trips and walks along local roads and paths are also possible. When planning your trip, you can therefore take in both the village and its heritage, as well as outdoor activities.
A stone village with a character of its own
Curel was recently restored and is distinguished by harmonious architecture, lavender-coloured shutters and quiet lanes. The yellow-stone houses and winding stairways add to the picture of a small stone village. Together, these details give the place a clearly recognisable architectural character. Those interested in villages and their distinctive appearance will find more here than a single sight: the lanes, houses and stairways collectively shape the townscape.
Hiking routes with different itineraries
The Tour du Vieux Curel circular trail leads to the remains of the former village, follows shepherds’ paths and then returns to Curel. The route thus connects the present-day village with the remains of the former one. The GRP Giono Montagne de Lure offers a different direction: from Curel, the route continues to Ravin de Combe Crue and the D 950. The two trails therefore differ mainly in their itineraries—the circular trail includes a return to Curel, while the GRP continues from Curel towards the named destinations.
Walks, hikes and cycling trips
Walks around Curel can pass old farmhouses and viewpoints. The village is also a starting point for hikes towards Montagne de Lure. These offer different geographical settings: walks in the area around the village and hikes towards the mountain range. Cycling trips are also possible on local roads and paths. So if you plan your trip around activities, you can choose between exploring the surroundings on foot and going out by bike, without treating both as one single circular route.
Natural surroundings and clear skies
Curel lies within the ZNIEFF area of Massif de la Montagne de Lure. This type 2 natural heritage inventory area encompasses the Montagne de Lure massif. This designation places the landscape in a broader geographical context, while the trails around Curel offer specific ways to explore the surroundings. The Village Étoilé designation brings a different focus, inviting visitors to admire the clear skies. Thus, alongside village architecture and outdoor activities, landscapes and stargazing are also options to consider for your trip.
Historic heritage and trip planning
Curel’s local historic heritage includes churches, characterful houses, washhouses and castles. These different types of buildings add further facets of cultural heritage to the impression made by the lanes and stone houses. When planning, it is also useful to note the difference between the route itineraries: the Tour du Vieux Curel returns to Curel and leads to the remains of the former village; the GRP Giono Montagne de Lure continues from Curel towards Ravin de Combe Crue and the D 950. If you would like to combine culture and outdoor activities, you can weigh these specific highlights against one another when choosing your destination.
Discover more destinations: Barcelonnette, Seyne, Entrevennes, Peipin, Sisteron, Mallemoisson, Saint-Pons, Allemagne-En-Provence.
Back to the main travel overview: Alpes-De-Haute-Provence.
