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The mountain of Lure Travelling in Provence
Located an hour's drive from Les Eaux Chaudes campsite in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, the Lure mountain forms, with the Albion plateau and the Mont Ventoux, a natural barrier of 60 kilometres from west to east. Classified as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO, the Lure mountain, which rises to an altitude of 1826 metres, offers its nature-loving visitors a space of freedom that is yours to explore.
An exceptional 360° view awaits you from the summit, which dominates the Forcalquier region and the Jabron valley: to the east, the Pre-Alps of Haute-Provence; to the south-east, the Rochers des Mées and the Durance plain; to the south, the Luberon chains; to the west, Mont Ventoux; to the north, the Vercors and the Écrins, the Pre-Alps of the Drôme Provençale and the Dévoluy.
The area has been occupied since ancient times, as evidenced by the excavation of a small Roman farm in the valley. The village emerged from the shadows in the 11th century, but was not located on its present site. It was not until the 15th century, after several decades of abandonment due to wars and plague epidemics, that the village settled at the foot of the mountain.
The mountain of Lure is the source of the village's wealth. From the 17th to the 19th century, the aromatic and medicinal herbs collected and cultivated in the mountain allowed some villagers to become rich. In the 19th century, a cast iron foundry powered by wood cut in the mountain pushed the population of the village to 1326 inhabitants in 1836. In 1962, the village had only 477 inhabitants before being reborn in the 2000s.
From the road, take the path that will lead you to a large car park at the foot of the abbey. From there, many hiking trails allow you to enjoy the forest of Lure.
From the summit, we recommend that you follow the crêtes de Lure, a loop of more than 13km for its exceptional panorama, and in the same vein to reach the Cairn 2000, a 10km round trip, for its 360° view.
Mountain biking has found its feet on the slopes of the Lure mountain. With a beginner's track, a course with bridges and bumps, a 20km mountain bike route from Signal to Notre-Dame and a 10km enduro track, all enthusiasts will find pleasure in hurtling down the slopes from the summit of Lure.
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Les Eaux Chaudes, campsite in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
An exceptional 360° view awaits you from the summit, which dominates the Forcalquier region and the Jabron valley: to the east, the Pre-Alps of Haute-Provence; to the south-east, the Rochers des Mées and the Durance plain; to the south, the Luberon chains; to the west, Mont Ventoux; to the north, the Vercors and the Écrins, the Pre-Alps of the Drôme Provençale and the Dévoluy.
Saint-Étienne-les-Orgues
At the foot of the Lure mountain, about ten kilometres north of Forcalquier, the village of Saint-Étienne-les-Orgues provides access to the D113, the only road that winds its way to the top of the mountain.The area has been occupied since ancient times, as evidenced by the excavation of a small Roman farm in the valley. The village emerged from the shadows in the 11th century, but was not located on its present site. It was not until the 15th century, after several decades of abandonment due to wars and plague epidemics, that the village settled at the foot of the mountain.
The mountain of Lure is the source of the village's wealth. From the 17th to the 19th century, the aromatic and medicinal herbs collected and cultivated in the mountain allowed some villagers to become rich. In the 19th century, a cast iron foundry powered by wood cut in the mountain pushed the population of the village to 1326 inhabitants in 1836. In 1962, the village had only 477 inhabitants before being reborn in the 2000s.
Notre-Dame-de-Lure Abbey
Hidden by the forest of Lure in the hollow of a valley, the abbey church of Notre-Dame-de-Lure is the last witness of the presence of the monks here in the Middle Ages. Built in the 12th century, destroyed and burnt down in the 16th century during the Wars of Religion, abandoned and then restored in the 17th century, the cloister and the outbuildings have disappeared, only the abbey church and two vaulted rooms remain, one of which is under the current hermitage. The church and what remains of the outbuildings were listed as a historic monument in 1980.From the road, take the path that will lead you to a large car park at the foot of the abbey. From there, many hiking trails allow you to enjoy the forest of Lure.
The station of Lure
The first ski resort to be built in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence in 1937, the resort, just 130 km from Marseille, quickly became a great success. In spite of the improvements made in the 1970s, the resort slowly declined, as the snow was becoming increasingly scarce. The movement accelerated in the 1990s. Today, the resort is still in operation and is turning towards new activities, sledging in winter, sky-watching, hiking, trail riding, road biking and mountain biking.Hiking in the mountains of Lure
Do you like walking? Whatever your level, the mountain of Lure allows you to find your happiness. From a country walk between Ongle and Lardiers which will take you through lavender fields and oak forests to the abandoned village of Vière, to the most difficult routes which will take you up the mountain of Lure over 28km.From the summit, we recommend that you follow the crêtes de Lure, a loop of more than 13km for its exceptional panorama, and in the same vein to reach the Cairn 2000, a 10km round trip, for its 360° view.
Cycling on the Lure mountain
From Saint-Étienne-les-Orgues, come and face the 18km climb (average gradient of 5.8%), take part in the challenge of the Lure mountain, a timed and animated ascent and, depending on your level, leave with your diploma. On the Valbelle side, 25km of climbing (average gradient of 4.6%) await you.Mountain biking has found its feet on the slopes of the Lure mountain. With a beginner's track, a course with bridges and bumps, a 20km mountain bike route from Signal to Notre-Dame and a 10km enduro track, all enthusiasts will find pleasure in hurtling down the slopes from the summit of Lure.
The weather on the Lure mountain
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Les Eaux Chaudes, campsite in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
