Saint-Jeannet is located in the Vallon du Cardaïre. The village’s history stretches from its former location beside the Chapelle Saint-Jean to its later settlement in the valley; it also includes a walk to the chapel, traces of old terraced cultivation and distinctive oak trees by the roadside. When planning your visit, you can give culture, exercise and nature observation the emphasis that interests you most.
Former village site and local history
The former village of Saint-Jeannet stood on a hill beside the Chapelle Saint-Jean. The chapel was once the parish church and marks the village’s original location in the Asse Valley. After the medieval site of Saint-Jean was abandoned, the settlement was established in the valley. The village’s history thus distinguishes between its former hilltop location and its later settlement in the valley.
An ancient road linking Riez with Digne passed through Saint-Jeannet. The village is also on the Route du Temps. Both details provide a historical context for the area, without requiring you to plan a particular route.
Chapelle Saint-Jean and walking route
The Chapelle Saint-Jean is a Romanesque building and a testament to the survival of Romanesque art in Haute-Provence. It was listed as a historic monument by an order dated 22 April 1954. The chapel offers a remarkable view of Saint-Jeannet and the characteristic landscape of the Asse Valley.
From Saint-Jeannet, you can reach the Chapelle Saint-Jean on a walk that takes one hour there and back. The La Routo route starts at a car park on the edge of the RD8, beyond the village, and follows a path to the 14th-century Romanesque Chapelle Saint-Jean. The stated time applies to the walk from Saint-Jeannet to the chapel; the car park beyond the village is the specific landmark for the La Routo starting point.
Landscape and oak trees
The Ravin des Cardaires connects Saint-Jeannet with the Asse Valley. Traces of terraced cultivation remain in the valley’s landscape. Saint-Jeannet is also home to several old drying sheds for plums or pistoles. Together, these traces offer insight into different aspects of the rural landscape: terraces in the valley and smaller buildings in the village.
The ChĂŞne Ananas stands on private land and can be viewed from the roadside during a break. It is a remarkable downy oak (Quercus pubescens). A swelling at the base of the trunk is known as a broussin or loupe. The distinctive feature is the trunk itself, not a particular route to the tree.
The Chêne Pierre d’Arc also stands by the roadside and can be viewed there during a break. Its downy oak is called “rouro” in Provençal. Comparing the two oaks reveals a different detail in each case: the swelling at the base of the trunk on the Chêne Ananas, and the local name “rouro” for the Chêne Pierre d’Arc.
Plan your visit around your interests
To decide whether Saint-Jeannet is right for your stay, you can choose among its experiences according to the time you have and your interests: the chapel walk takes one hour there and back, while the oaks can be viewed during a break by the roadside. If you are mainly interested in history, the former village site and Romanesque chapel offer a clear point of connection. If the landscape appeals to you more, you can look for traces of terraces in the Asse Valley and observe the different features of the two downy oaks.
Discover more destinations: Pra Loup, Mezel, Enchastrayes, Les Omergues, Montclar, Saint-Michel-L'observatoire, Bellaffaire, Oppedette
For the main travel overview: Alpes-De-Haute-Provence.
