The Zone humide des Piles wetland offers a short nature trail, along with historical traces, a circular walk and various activity routes. This lets you consider nature watching and local history as different reasons to stay in La Saulce.
Zone humide des Piles wetland
The wetland covers 6.5 ha and is located near the La Saulce toll plaza. It was newly created with a network of ponds as compensation for the extension of the A51. The marked nature trail is about 450 m long, has five information stations and is designed for a visit lasting approximately 30 to 45 minutes. The private wetland is freely accessible exclusively via the marked path; check local notices before setting out.
The ponds also make this natural area a place to watch dragonflies. At least 22 species have been recorded, including Agrion de mercure and Agrion bleuissant; both are rare in the département. The number of species may change as future surveys are carried out. The five stations provide a clear framework for your visit: you can follow the short trail and combine nature watching with the information on site.
Circular walk and historical traces
The long La Sainte-Croix circular walk passes through the villages of La Saulce, Lardier and Valença, as well as the large forests of the Bois de la Pinée. The Sainte-Croix viewpoint offers a view across the Durance Valley. Along the route, you can see the remains of the square keep. The Lords of Orange had it built in the 13th century to control the valley and monitor the Roman road.
Another historical date is 7 April 1815: on that day, the Battle of Les Piles began at the entrance to La Saulce. It involved supporters of Napoleon and royalist troops. The keep and the battle represent different periods in the area's history—one the fortification of the 13th century, the other an event from 1815.
Fountains, church and Oratoire Saint Marcellin
Three historic fountains are part of La Saulce's heritage and are located in the historic centre: at Place de la Fontaine, on Avenue Napoléon opposite the beauty salon, and at Place de la Liberté. The church stands in the village square, opposite the post office and bakery. These places provide concrete landmarks as you explore the history of the town centre.
North of and above La Saulce, in the Saint-Marcellin quarter, stands the Oratoire Saint Marcellin, near the former Roman road from Sisteron to Gap. A description published in May 2023 mentions the oratory in connection with the parish tradition of holding Masses in front of local oratories once a year. The exact month may vary.
Trails for different activities
A purpose-built, comfortable path provides access to the Tour du Guet above La Saulce. Check trail conditions before your walk. For gravel cyclists, the Les balcons de la Durance route passes through the village centre and crosses the A51 motorway and the Durance; route conditions may change.
A separate stage is also listed for horse riders: a route listing current as of 2026 describes the ride from Ventavon to La Saulce as a moderately difficult 23 km equestrian route. This makes it easy to distinguish between the different formats: a visit to the wetland is estimated to take about 30 to 45 minutes, while the riding stage is described by its distance and difficulty level.
Discover more destinations: Furmeyer, Pelvoux, Montgenevre, Laye, Vars, Aups, La Piarre, Briancon
For the broader travel guide: Hautes-Alpes.
