The Courchon path

A lookout, a viewpoint

Heritage and history

Know-how

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The Courchon path is one of the most grandiose, the most daring and the best preserved vestiges of a medieval road.

Since 1981, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is ranked one of the most beautiful villages in France. The pretty Courchon path makes it possible to make the tour of Moustiers by the ravine of Notre-Dame where is suspended the Etoile de Moustiers and to take the Roman way. All while enjoying beautiful views, including Lake St. Croix, le plateau de Valensole but also Mont Ventoux and Sainte-Baume.

3 points of interest

Savoir-faire
The earthenware from Moustiers
The fame of Moustiers is not only due to its site, as unique as it is. For many connoisseurs, Moustiers is synonymous of pottery and ancient coins made from "Moustiers", which are among the finest earthenware pieces in France and are highly sought after by connoisseurs. Many museums, many castles or aristocratic houses have one or more older pieces from Moustiers. One can admire them at the Sèvres Museum, the Museum of Lyon and the Louvre.
Panorama
View from above
At the top of the trail you can enjoy beautiful views, including Lake St. Croix on the left, the Valensole plateau but also Mont Ventoux and Sainte-Baume.
Patrimony and history
The medieval way
Without having the rank of royal road, in the eighteenth century it was an important communication route that connected Aix to Castellane. A battle took place on this Courchon in December 1746, one of the battles of the war of succession of Austria which earned Moustiers the fact to be occupied for a few days by the "pandors" (a word which designated the Austrian soldiers). This historic path, one of the jewels of the Provençal heritage, fruit of the ingenuity and work of the ancients is nevertheless fragile.

Description

1 - Start the hike by climbing to the Church of Notre-Dame-de-Beauvoir. Climb by the cobbled staircase and lined with small oratories.
2 - Once at the Notre-Dame chapel, go down a few meters to take the path on the right (yellow markings) indicated chemin de la chaine. Climb the steep path until you reach a first cairn, follow the indication ravin de Notre-Dame. At the next intersection, 100m further follow baisse de Courchon.
3 - Once to the baisse of Courchon, (post with arrow 28) turn right on the Roman road, pass a small pass and then down on Moustiers by the Roman road.

Departure : Village center of Moustiers
Arrival : Village center of Moustiers
Towns crossed : Moustiers-Sainte-Marie

Forecast

Altimetric profile

Recommandations

Avoid the hot summer, take 2 liters of water and hiking shoes (avoid rain slippery slabs).

Information desks

House of the Verdon Regional Nature Park

Domaine de Valx, 04360 Moustiers-Sainte-Marie

http://www.parcduverdon.fr/info@parcduverdon.fr +33 (0)4 92 74 68 00

House of the Verdon Regional Nature Park

Find out more

OT Moustiers Sainte-Marie

Maison de Lucie - Place de l’Eglise, 04360 Moustiers Sainte-Marie

http://www.moustiers.eu/info@moustiers.fr +33 (0)4 92 74 67 84

Transport

Limitons les déplacements en voiture, pensons aux transports en commun ! - Prenez la ligne régionale BV1bis entre Riez et Castellane du 1 mai au 30 septembre Depuis Riez, départ 9h05, 10h35 retour 13h50, et 17h15, 19h40 (E1) du 1/07/22 au 31/08/22 Depuis Castellane, départ à 7h15, retour 16h35 et 19h30 (E1) du 1/07/22 au 31/08/22