Saint-André-les-Alpes lies on Lac de Castillon, in the Parc Naturel Régional du Verdon and the Réserve Géologique de Haute Provence. This offers several possible focuses for planning your trip: water sports and fishing on the lake, walking and mountain biking routes, local cloth-making history, or a ride on the Train des Pignes. The specific differences between these activities can help you tailor your stay to your interests.
Water sports and fishing on Lac de Castillon
At Lac de Castillon, you can go kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding and water skiing. For fishing, you can set off from the shore or from a small boat. Even at the planning stage, you can choose between various activities on the water and two fishing options. If you want to make the lake the focus of your trip, this selection offers several different ways to enjoy it without requiring you to commit to a particular water sport.
Two routes with different profiles
The Parcours patrimoine drapier is a 4.2-kilometre walking route that starts in Saint-André-les-Alpes. Le Chalvet à VTT is considerably longer: this difficult circular route covers 21.3 kilometres and climbs 805 metres. It starts and ends in the town and is marked with cycling route signs. The stated distances make the difference between the two routes clear; for Le Chalvet, the listed difficulty is another factor. This lets you choose based on the activity you want and the route details provided, without assuming a walking or cycling time that has not been specified.
As an optional there-and-back variation, Le Chalvet à VTT leads to a launch site and its viewpoint. From there, you can enjoy one of the finest views of Lac de Castillon. The information about the mountain bike loop comes from the route sheet dated 20 August 2026; route details and signage may change when the official sheet is updated. Before your trip, also check the current listing for the Parcours patrimoine drapier, as route details may change with an update.
Cloth-making history and weekly market
The Parcours patrimoine drapier refers to cloth-making in its very name. The first cloth factory in Saint-André-les-Alpes provides a specific historical reference point: it was established in 1818 at Pra Barin. The walking route and this historical date offer two ways to discover local history—through a route and through the founding of the first factory. This does not imply that the route passes through Pra Barin.
The market at Place Marcel Pastorelli is part of the town’s weekly routine today. It takes place on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. If you would like to include a market visit in your plans, check the date before your trip. This makes the regular weekly schedule a useful point of reference, without assuming that any particular products will be on sale.
Travelling on the Train des Pignes
The Train des Pignes runs from Digne to Nice through picturesque valleys and numerous tunnels, and is an attraction in Saint-André-les-Alpes. The railway is therefore described not only as a means of transport, but also as part of the experience. If you plan to include it in your trip, check the current timetable before travelling. This lets you consider the railway as an activity in its own right, without assuming a particular departure frequency or specific connection.
Paragliding at Chalvet
The Chalvet paragliding site is suitable for cross-country flights and is also accessible to beginners. The site also has a sporting history: Chalvet has hosted paragliding world and European championships, French championships, and final rounds of the PWCA World Cup. Your travel decision can therefore take into account both the site’s described current use and its history of competitions.
Discover more destinations: Vaumeilh, Oraison, Peyruis, Saint-Vincent-Les-Forts, Forcalquier, Valbelle, Curel, Aubenas-Les-Alpes
For the overarching travel overview: Alpes-De-Haute-Provence.
