Rochebrune brings together the Durance landscape, trails through gardens and woodland, a 16th-century chapel, and leisure activities at the Les 3 Lacs complex. This gives you different options when planning your trip: you can take in the river and cultivated land, explore trails on foot, or include a cycling route. The Chapelle Saint-Sixte also provides a specific point of interest for culture and history.
The Durance, gardens and Les 3 Lacs
Rochebrune is one of the few villages on the plain in the département where vegetable cultivation and orchards stretch along the banks of the Durance. The Les 3 Lacs leisure complex is also closely connected to the river: a series of small lakes lies there, edged by the wild waters of the Durance. The banks of the Durance around the complex are designated a Natura 2000 site. This brings together a distinct lakeside landscape and protected status for the riverbanks.
The leisure complex offers go-karting, paintball and the Fort-Gayard adventure course. Fishing is also available there year-round with a valid fishing permit. The permit requirement is important when planning a fishing trip; the other activities offer different ways to spend time at the complex. The waterside landscape and leisure facilities are different aspects of the same destination.
Trails in Rochebrune and the surrounding area
Le Bois du Plan is classified as an easy trail for families with children and beginners. The route follows the EDF canal along the Durance, through the Bois du Plan and Rochebrune. The circular route also passes a single “demoiselle coiffée” at the Torrent Clapouse. The trail can therefore be described by several specific features: its difficulty rating, its route through the canal area, woodland and village, and this distinctive landform at the Torrent.
The botanical trail to the Chapelle Saint-Sixte starts on the Route de Beaufort, at the car park by the Torrent. Along the way, you can discover the tree species of the ForĂŞt domaniale de Moyenne Durance. There is a developed car park at the starting point of the trail to the chapel on the Route de Beaufort. This trail combines observing nature with a visit to the Chapelle Saint-Sixte.
The Chapelle Saint-Sixte and its history
The Chapelle Saint-Sixte is a 16th-century chapel. Historically, it hosted the oldest pilgrimage in the Diocese of Gap. Its significance therefore lies not only in its classification as a building from that period, but also in its enduring importance to pilgrimage in the diocese. Together with the botanical trail, the chapel offers a cultural focus that is clearly distinct from the leisure activities at Les 3 Lacs.
Gravel route and Wild Durance route
The Boucle de Vière gravel route (VTT FFC No. 46) crosses the Durance over the Pont de Rochebrune (D951), then follows the river, passes through orchards and reaches Rochebrune. This sequence combines a bridge crossing with the river and cultivated land. The Wild Durance route includes a 3 km section rated Grade II, from the Pont de Rochebrune to Les Trois Lacs. The length, difficulty rating and endpoints are specified for this section; the Boucle de Vière is defined by its route over the bridge and along the Durance and through the orchards.
Discover more destinations: Furmeyer, Ancelle, Saint-Véran, Saint-Eusèbe-En-Champsaur, Saint-Crépin, Salérans, Saint-Blaise, Mont-Dauphin
For the regional travel overview: Hautes-Alpes.
