At 1 m, La Condamine-Châtelard opens onto the upper Ubaye valley.
Dominated by the Tournoux fort, this village is crossed by the GR 6 and the Parpaillon tunnel route.
Its hamlets are spread out up to 1 m, between heritage and unspoiled nature.
Description
La Condamine-Châtelard: Between History and Nature in Haute-Ubaye
Nestled at an altitude of 1 meters, La Condamine-Châtelard marks the entrance to the upper Ubaye Valley, at the confluence of the Ubaye River and the Parpaillon torrent. This mountain village, rich in exceptional military and religious heritage, is also a major hiking and strategic historical destination.
A Remarkable Military Heritage
Overlooking the valley, the Tournoux fort, nicknamed the "military Versailles of the 1843th century," was built between 1866 and XNUMX to protect the region from Italian incursions. It is built on the mountainside and is complemented by several defensive structures:
The Dormillouse battery (1879-1880), perched at 2 m, locks the Bas pass.
The Serre de Laut fort (1890-1893) provides strategic surveillance of the Tournoux fort.
The Parpaillon tunnel (1890-1900), 520 m long, links the valley to Embrunais by a military road now popular with hikers and cyclists.
The Tarron barracks (1904-1906), initially a military hospital, housed a reoxygenation center for submariners until 2013.
A Rich Religious Heritage
The village preserves several religious buildings that bear witness to its history:
The Church of St. Catherine (1822), dedicated to the patron saint of artisans and students, houses a painting by Fidèle Maria Patritti (1862) depicting the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple. Its pediment is decorated with a bull's-eye window in the shape of a scallop shell.
The Saint-Clément church (1830) in Châtelard, with its vaulted choir and adjoining bell tower, has listed Carolingian baptismal fonts.
Numerous chapels are scattered around the hamlets: Sainte-Anne, Saint-Roch, Villard-Haut, Clausal, Prat, Grach-Bas…
A Village with Spread Hamlets
La Condamine-Châtelard includes several hamlets ranging between 1 and 300 meters:
La Condamine, capital.
The Barracks, former barracks site, now occupied by a campsite.
Le Châtelard, former historic capital, with houses scattered below.
Le Villard, a very large ancient hamlet, exposed to the rising sun.
Les Prats, Grach, and several dwellings scattered around the Sainte-Anne chapel.
A Territory of Hiking and Nature
Crossed by the GR 6 long-distance hiking trail, La Condamine-Châtelard is a paradise for mountain lovers. The Parpaillon tunnel route, although difficult to drive on, attracts adventurers and cyclists. Its unspoiled landscapes, between mountain pastures and forests, make the town an ideal base for exploring the upper Ubaye Valley.
Between History and the Great Outdoors
Combining military and religious heritage, and unspoiled landscapes, La Condamine-Châtelard appeals to history and hiking enthusiasts. Its peaceful atmosphere, at the foot of Fort de Tournoux, makes it a must-see destination in Ubaye.
Rates / opening
Prices
Free access.
Opening
All year, every day.