Pierrerue lies on the northern slope of the La Fare hill. Several distinct traces of history meet in the commune: the Romanesque-influenced Church of the Holy Sacrament, chapels and castle ruins, as well as evidence of older settlements and transport routes. For planning your day, there are also two hikes described in different ways to choose from: the Chemin des hameaux has a stated duration and elevation profile; the route to the Pont de la Lèche passes through agricultural landscapes and offers views. This lets you choose whether to focus your stay on architectural history or outdoor activity.
Church of the Holy Sacrament
The church has Romanesque origins and was expanded over the centuries. Rebuilt in the 19th century, it retains older architectural features: a nave with three bays and a flat-ended choir. Foliage adorns the capitals; the choir is Gothic and dates from the 14th or late 15th century. The building thus brings together Romanesque origins, older surviving features and Gothic elements in a structure expanded over many centuries. For those interested in cultural history, its architectural history, spatial layout and stonework details can all be explored. Concerts have also been held in the church.
Chapels, castle ruins and traces of the past
The ruins of the Chapelle Saint-Pierre have been listed as a Monument historique since 11 July 1984. The Chapelle Saint-Pierre-de-Viviers was once a priory dependent on Ganagobie Abbey. In the hamlet of Saint-Pierre, the small Romanesque Chapelle Saint-Pierre-de-Viviers, with its green meadow and two lime trees, offers a place to rest.
The medieval castle ruins of Pierrerue are also among the historical sites described; they include an underground room built of cut stone. Archaeological excavations uncovered settlement structures and a grave containing the skeleton of the “Homme de la Fare.” This broadens the view of Pierrerue beyond its religious buildings: alongside architecture, there is also archaeological evidence of earlier settlement.
The Pont de la Lèche is associated with the former imperial road from Avignon to Grenoble. The existence of this road has been documented since 1528. The bridge is therefore connected to an older transport route, while the churches and chapels illustrate architectural and ecclesiastical history in particular.
Hiking trails and pilgrimage routes
The yellow-marked Chemin des hameaux starts at the Pierrerue cemetery. The hike is listed as 7 kilometres long, taking 2 hours, with an elevation gain of 215 metres. These details help you factor the time required and elevation profile into your day’s plans. Check trail conditions before setting out.
The hiking trail to the Pont de la Lèche has a different focus: it passes through agricultural landscapes, follows the Chemin de Compostelle and offers lovely views of Mount Lure and the village of Lurs. Another pilgrimage route between Forcalquier and Lurs passes through Pierrerue: the Chemin de Saint-Jacques de Compostelle et de Rome. The routes therefore differ in that one has stated duration and elevation details, while the other is described in terms of its landscapes and views.
Farm shop sales
Ferme Les Charentais offers farm shop sales in Pierrerue on Saturdays from 9 am to 12 noon. Confirm the opening hours again before your visit. This makes it easy to plan a visit for shopping alongside architectural history, a hike or a quieter part of the day, without making it a fixed part of every trip.
Discover more destinations: Vachères, Villeneuve, La Javie, Le Lauzet-Ubaye, Valbelle, Noyers-sur-Jabron, Dabisse-Les Mees, Aubenas-Les-Alpes.
Go to the regional travel overview: Alpes-De-Haute-Provence.
