Gorges de la Méouge

Located north-west of Sisteron, in the south of France, a few kilometres from Laragne in the Hautes-Alpes, the beautiful Gorges de la Méouge attract many nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. This listed site, with its grandiose landscapes and exceptional fauna and flora, is a must-see during the summer season in the French region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.

An exceptional natural site listed Natura 2000

The Méouge winds its way through deep, winding gorges, cascades, swirls, forms natural reservoirs and water holes, small beaches of polished pebbles or large sloping rocky slabs. The landscapes are grandiose. Here, erosion has sculpted the huge boulders with their ivory-coloured strata into a mix of cliffs and scree, and limestone tuffs.

In winter and spring, the Méouge, swollen by rain and snowfall, becomes a torrent, sometimes impetuous. In the summer, this small river feeds the natural pools that stretch over several kilometres in the gorges with its trickles of water. Summer is therefore the best season to discover this exceptional site, which offers a welcome haven of coolness at the height of the heat wave.

The Gorges de la Méouge are listed Natura 2000, and are located in the Parc Naturel Régional des Baronnies Provençales. On nearly 600 hectares, nature lovers can observe a varied fauna that evolves between beech forests, conifers and dry grasslands.

Voir cette publication sur Instagram
Une publication partagée par Florent Becq (@instaflo.13)

Voir cette publication sur Instagram
Une publication partagée par martel (@instagrannemartel)

Numerous activities in nature

The Gorges de la Méouge attract many walkers every year. Numerous paths run through this exceptional site, either from a height or with your feet in the water. Easy or complex itineraries, family walks or longer and more demanding hikes, with a strong difference in altitude, you can discover a spectacular playground. Near the river, your walk sometimes becomes a real water hike.

The many natural pools are an invitation to swim. You can take a appreciated break during your hike, or go to the Gorges de la Méouge to spend a lazy day lounging with family or friends, alternating between the heat of the sun and the coolness of the water.

In spring or autumn, the Méouge can be descended by kayak or canoe. We invite you to inquire about the weather conditions and to use the services of a professional guide. The flow of water can be too strong and can thus be dangerous.

These majestic gorges can be discovered from the air. You can fly over them in a paraglider for an unforgettable first flight.

Vestiges and ruins in the Gorges de la Méouge

Your walk can also take you to ruins and remains that bear witness to an ancient human presence. Early on, people wanted to take advantage of the power of the water to operate water mills and thus grind their crops. Your visit to the Gorges can include the ruins of a mill that was swept away by a flood in 1901.

A Romanesque bridge with three arches spans the Méouge. Away from the current communication routes, it continues to delight lovers of old stones, who come to admire it before going down to bathe in the river. Of the village of Pomet, a few hundred metres away, only two houses and a church remain, clinging like an eagle’s nest to a rocky ridge overlooking the gorges.

Voir cette publication sur Instagram
Une publication partagée par roustan jean claude (@roustanjean)

Practical information

You can easily reach the Gorges de la Méouge by the road from Gap or Marseille. Take the A51 / E712 motorway, exit 22 (Sisteron Centre), then head for Val Buëch-Méouge and Châteauneuf-de-Chabre.

From Avignon or the Rhone Valley, you can take the road that passes north of Mont Ventoux through the villages of Brantes, Montbrun-les-Bains and Sédéron. The Gorges de la Méouge really start from the commune of Barret-sur-Méouge.

Parking can be limited in the Gorges de la Méouge. Shuttles are then set up from Châteauneuf-de-Chabre and Barret-sur-Méouge.

You will find more information on the website of the Sisteron Buëch Tourist Office.