Saint-Vincent-Les-Forts offers local history, hiking routes and time by the water. The village overlooks Lake Serre-Ponçon, and there are trails with different durations and elevation profiles to choose from. If you’re looking for a hotel in Saint-Vincent-Les-Forts, you can plan your stay around culture, hiking or seasonal swimming.
Lake, views and beach
The Tour à hourds is also a viewpoint overlooking Lake Serre-Ponçon. From the headland near the Batterie du Châtelard, you can see across the valley towards the Morgon; visibility depends on the weather. Golden eagles nest in the rocks near the Batterie, but sightings are not guaranteed.
The Port de Saint-Vincent-les-Forts is on the Ubaye arm of Lake Serre-Ponçon and provides access to the Saint-Vincent-les-Forts beach. Ubaye Plage has a shady lawn, natural wood parasols, a children’s playground and a volleyball court. There is a lifeguard post there in summer; supervised swimming takes place in a designated area from July to August.
Hiking routes for different time frames
The hiking trail to the Tour Vauban is 2.7 kilometres long, has an elevation gain of 120 metres and takes about an hour. It is considered suitable for all hikers. The “Du Lac au Village” loop is the longer option, at 8.9 kilometres, with an elevation gain of 500 metres and a duration of 3 hours 30 minutes. It starts at Saint-Vincent-les-Forts beach, leads to the village and returns via the hamlet of Lautaret.
Another hiking trail to the Batterie du Châtelard starts in Clot du Dou. After an ascent of 500 to 600 metres, you reach the Batterie du Châtelard; the military installations are about 100 metres to the right of the trail. Check trail conditions before setting out.
Military history and architecture
Fort Saint-Vincent was built by Vauban in 1697 to protect the southern Alpine borders. The Tour Vauban is a small, round tower with machicolations. It was built in 1696, 300 metres north of the fort, to extend surveillance of the fortified structure. Fort Saint-Vincent is privately owned and opens on an exceptional basis during the European Heritage Days. Check access before visiting.
The military Batterie du Châtelard was built between 1883 and 1885. Fort Joubert, including its tower with machicolations, was designated a historic monument by decree on 18 July 1994. The Église Saint-Vincent dates from the 16th century. Its nave has a shallow barrel vault, along with an offset double apse.
More activities and how to get there
Numerous cycling, hiking and mountain biking routes start in the village of Saint-Vincent-les-Forts. The paragliding site allows you to land at the launch point after your flight; use depends on the weather and site conditions. Tandem paragliding flights are offered from the historic village, but availability depends on providers and flying conditions.
The scenic road to Saint-Vincent-les-Forts follows a varied route with hairpin bends and curves. You can stop at Lake Lauzet before arriving.
Discover more destinations: Beynes, Villars-Colmars, Digne-Les-Bains, Ongles, Forcalquier, Bellegarde, Volx, La Condamine-Châtelard.
For the overview of the wider region: Alpes-De-Haute-Provence.
