In Méolans-Revel, insights into the timber industry and alpine forests meet historic churches, a former sawmill and activities on the Ubaye. Maison du Bois is an interpretation centre about the forests and the local timber industry. It welcomes visitors year-round; check the current visiting conditions before your trip. When planning, you can give different priority to cultural attractions and outdoor activities, rather than planning the same itinerary for every day.
Churches, Valley History and Architecture
The Laverq Valley offers several tangible points of interest for a cultural and historical trip. The Priory of Laverq was founded in 1135 and elevated to an abbey in 1220. The present-day Church of Saint Antoine in Laverq dates from the 15th century, is dedicated to Saint Anthony of Egypt and represents the rural religious architecture of the Ubaye. The Laverq Valley was added to the department’s register of picturesque landscapes in 1981.
In Revel, the Church of Saint-Jacques stands on a rocky spur above the Ubaye Valley. It is dedicated to Saint James the Greater and dates to the 12th century. Inside are a marble sculpture of Saint James from the 15th century and a framed painting depicting John the Baptist. The different dates provide several points of reference for the area’s history, without reducing its sacred artworks to a single period.
A Look at Historic Working Practices
The former hydraulic sawmill was built in 1936 and is now dedicated to visits and demonstrations. Visitors can follow the sawyers’ working practices from the 1950s. On a guided tour, you can visit the machinery and gearing hall; a board is also sawn in front of visitors using hydropower. This makes it different from Maison du Bois: here, the focus is on the actual work involving machinery and water power. Check booking and operating conditions and the seasonal programme in advance.
Scenery and Activities on the Ubaye
The longer Lavergan loop leads to the Belvédère du Duc. From there, the panorama stretches across the Laverq Valley and its mountains. The route is listed as 3.3 kilometres and three hours. Compared with a cultural visit, it is a separate, clearly timed part of your itinerary; take the distance and stated duration into account together.
Kayak and rafting trips are offered on the Ubaye in Méolans-Revel. Water levels and provider availability vary by season; check the current conditions before your trip. If you are more interested in climbing, the Chaudon sector has 107 equipped routes. As the number of routes can change with the climbing infrastructure, check the current status before your visit.
Several Options for Active Days
Rapid’eau Park brings together rafting, kayak rafting, canoe rafting, hydrospeed, canyoning and orienteering courses at one location; some activities may be seasonal. In the same visitor area, Aventura Park offers four courses for adults and three for children. Kid Park in Méolans-Revel is a separate attraction with a children’s high ropes course, two loops and features such as suspension bridges, vines, zip lines, rocks, tunnels and kayaks. Check the current access conditions for Aventura Park and Kid Park before your visit.
Canyoning is also available: Aqua’Rider offers the activity from its Base du Four à Chaux in Le Martinet, Méolans-Revel. It includes abseiling, jumps and natural slides in mountain streams. EVP Eau Vive Passion offers canyoning from its riverside location below the village of Méolans-Revel. Seasonal availability can vary at both providers, so checking the current conditions is a useful part of planning your trip.
Discover more destinations: Soleilhas, Châteauneuf-Miravail, Les Mees, Forcalquier, Saint-Vincent-Les-Forts, Rougon, Enchastrayes, Saint-Andrè-Les-Alpes.
For the regional travel overview: Alpes-De-Haute-Provence.
