Vauban Fortified Places Tour

Departing from Comars-les-Alpes, take the narrow, winding road to the Col des Champs. Far from being the most famous, but undoubtedly the most beautiful pass in the Alps, it crosses a lush larch forest and numerous meadows. A few beautiful shepherd's huts dot the route, and the atmosphere is bucolic.
Make a quick stop to discover a beautiful panoramic view of the fortified city and the Vauban forts from a clear, roadside lookout.
Colmars, "a city of character and sentinel of the Alps," has had a turbulent history from medieval times until 1713 (Treaty of Utrecht). Its position as a border town for more than 300 years with the Duchy of Savoy made it a stronghold with an important defensive system put in place under the reign of Louis XIV by the architects of Vauban, and the military works to be discovered there are important and very well preserved. A visit to the site is a must!

After a few bends, you will pass in front of the Ratery 1700 nature reserve which offers hiking and mountain biking trails in the summer and Nordic skiing and snowshoeing in the winter with a great toboggan run for children.

Up to the summit of the Col des Champs, the road continues its rather steep ascent to finally reach an altitude of 2045 m and offers you a breathtaking panorama to admire over the Aiguilles de Pelens. This is also the kingdom of marmots, calm and myriads of flowers.

The loop now continues in the Alpes Maritimes department, crossing the Nice hinterland and some very pretty little villages like Saint Martin d'Entraunes and Guillaumes before rejoining the Alpes de Haute Provence at the RN 202 before Entrevaux.

The fortified city of Entrevaux has plenty to offer, and a break is a must to explore the fortified city from its spectacular stone Pont Levis overlooking the Var River, stroll through the narrow streets with their medieval atmosphere, visit the cathedral, and bravely climb the Citadel, a 1-hour round trip, from where the view is impressive.

On the way back, choose the road route via the village of Annot, known for its sandstone and beautiful chestnut groves, a village of character with pretty cobbled streets. Continue towards Fugeret before tackling the climb towards Colle Saint Michel, offering a beautiful view of the hilltop village of Méailles, which is worth a look. Then return to the Haut Verdon valley and your starting point.