Attractions and Places To See around Draix - Top 20
Best attractions and places to see around Draix, a village in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, offers a blend of natural landscapes and historical sites. The area is situated within the Géologique de Haute-Provence National Nature Reserve, known for its diverse geological heritage. Visitors can explore unique geological formations and a serene atmosphere, with opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking.
Best attractions and places to see around Draix
- The most popular attractions is Les Terres Noires - Slides, a unique geological formation that features impressive black hills. This area is known for its challenging terrain, making it a mountain biker's paradise.
- Another must-see spot is Descent to Marcoux via the Black Marl Trails, a trail that offers a descent over black volcanic rock. Visitors can expect varied terrain, from forest paths to rocky sections, with some very steep parts.
- Visitors also love Digne-les-Bains, a settlement known as a spa town. It is located between the Les Eaux Chaudes torrent and the Bléone river valley, offering a blend of thermal baths and natural surroundings.
- Draix is known for its geological sites, mountain passes, and cultural monuments. The region offers a variety of attractions to see and explore, from natural landscapes to historical points of interest.
- The attractions around Draix are appreciated by the komoot community, with 50 upvotes and 34 photos shared by visitors.
Last updated: June 24, 2026
Digne-les-Bains
Highlight • Settlement
ucpa.com/centres-sportifs/piscine-eaux-chaudes-digne
The city is located between this torrent and the valley formed by the river Bléone.
There is a quite incredible tourist railway line (Le train des Pignes) that connects Digne to Nice and offers some unique viewpoints. Digne is also its famous slab with ammonites and its many geological treasures that attract enthusiasts. It is a really pleasant city, surrounded by remarkable nature.
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Col du Défens (1,230 m)
Highlight • Mountain Pass
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Sentinel of the Asse – Andy Goldsworthy
Highlight • Monument
“It is the top of the cairn which brings the energy of the stone to its peak, just as it is in the keystone of an arch that all the energy is concentrated. »Andy Goldsworthy
Andy Goldsworthy's work and vision were the subject of a film entitled "Rivers and tides" which you can see here: dailymotion.com/video/x15e83f?playlist=x54l1y
or just the trailer: dailymotion.com/video/xjggqk?fbclid=IwAR2l_oUGJuU5sc5vLobLojCfRrBf3xa42fqjOKc-uL4DrOQomGKoypSHfWk
For more information on the “Refuge d’art” route: tourisme-alpes-haute-provence.com/refuge-art-andy-goldsworthy
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Les Terres Noires - Slides
Highlight • Other
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Descent to Marcoux via the Black Marl Trails
Highlight • Trail
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Tips from the Community
Black volcanic rock??? No, it is marl, therefore sedimentary, called here roubines (or robine, or elephant skin, or black earth)
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Superb but we remain a little hungry, at least for a first passage. The route is not easy to anticipate, we do not get lost but sometimes it is difficult to read the traces on the ground, the small signs, etc. and a mistake would be expensive. The route goes around the area a little.
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Beautiful landscape, small road, only the last bends are strenuous.
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At the bend of a hairpin bend, this egg is a work of Andy Goldsworthy. This is one of the three “Sentinels” of the Refuge d’Art course; it represents the Asse valley.
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On the western slope, after going up the long Asse de Clumanc Valley from Barrême, the difficulties really begin in Tartonne with a first ramp of 1.5 km at 6.5%. Then after a small flat area comes a nice final of 2.6 km where the slope will be around 7%. On this side you can see one of Andy Goldsworthy's sentinels, an ovoid-shaped cairn placed at the side of the road as part of an artistic trail created by this renowned artist practicing land art. On the eastern slope, nothing very complicated until Lambruisse with 5 km where the hardest passage will not exceed 4.5%. On the other hand, things become tougher with the final including 1.8 km at 6.5% on average, but the last 350 meters are at 8.5%. The road is very beautiful and quiet on both sides. This pass is enchanting.
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This strange construction which sits in one of the bends of the Col du Défens is in reality a work by Andy Goldsworthy, a major figure in land art. It is part of the route entitled “Refuge d’art” which offers a 150 kilometer hike, imagined and created by the British artist through the National Geological Nature Reserve of Haute-Provence. This artistic itinerary, original and unique in Europe, combining contemporary art, hiking and rural heritage, includes ten works scattered throughout the Dignois region. Among them, three ovoid stone cairns, designated as “Sentinels”, one for each of the three valleys of the Haute-Provence Geological Reserve. Besides this one which represents the Asse valley, you can find another sentinel in the Clue de Barles, at the edge of the road at the foot of the cliff, representing the Bès valley, and the third in the commune of Authon in the Vançon valley. “It is the top of the cairn which brings the energy of the stone to its peak, just as it is in the keystone of an arch that all the energy is concentrated. »Andy Goldsworthy Andy Goldsworthy's work and vision were the subject of a film entitled "Rivers and tides" which you can see here: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x15e83f?playlist=x54l1y or just the trailer: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xjggqk?fbclid=IwAR2l_oUGJuU5sc5vLobLojCfRrBf3xa42fqjOKc-uL4DrOQomGKoypSHfWk For more information on the “Refuge d’art” route: https://www.tourisme-alpes-haute-provence.com/refuge-art-andy-goldsworthy/
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Frequently Asked Questions
What unique geological features can I explore around Draix?
Draix is situated within the Géologique de Haute-Provence National Nature Reserve, offering remarkable geological formations. You can explore the spectacular Geological Slides and the distinctive 'Black Lands' (Marl Clay Hills) with their lunar appearance. Specific highlights include Les Terres Noires - Slides, known for their impressive black hills, and the Descent to Marcoux via the Black Marl Trails, which offers varied terrain over black marl. The region also features the Ichthyosaur Fossil Site, where you can see a 183-million-year-old marine reptile fossil.
Are there any historical or cultural sites to visit in Draix?
The village of Draix itself is a point of interest, featuring a church with a wall-belfry from 1854 and a large covered wash-house. You can also find the ruins of a Templar Commandery and a small Romanesque church within the village. Additionally, the nearby settlement of Digne-les-Bains is known as a spa town with historical significance and thermal baths.
What outdoor activities are available near Draix's attractions?
The area around Draix is excellent for various outdoor activities. You can find numerous hiking trails, including routes to the summits of Cucuyon and Le Couard, and a 'black lands circuit.' For cycling enthusiasts, there are many road cycling routes, such as the Climb to Col de Pierre Basse – Corobin Pass loop. Mountain biking is also popular, with trails like the Descent towards Draix – Terres Noires Trail loop. Fishing is possible in the Bouinenc river, and opportunities for horse riding and climbing are available in the surrounding region. You can find more details on specific routes in the Road Cycling Routes around Draix, MTB Trails around Draix, and Running Trails around Draix guides.
Where can I find scenic viewpoints around Draix?
The Col du Défens (1,230 m) offers magnificent scenery and panoramic views. The peaks of Cucuyon (1886 m) and Le Couard (1998 m) also provide superb vistas after a hike. The unique landscape of the 'Black Lands' with its marl clay hills offers a captivating and distinct visual experience.
Are there family-friendly attractions around Draix?
While Draix is known for its rugged natural beauty, the nearby settlement of Digne-les-Bains is categorized as family-friendly. It offers thermal baths and natural surroundings that can be enjoyed by families. Many of the easier hiking trails around Draix are also suitable for families looking to explore nature together.
What is the 'Refuge d'art' route and where can I find it?
The 'Refuge d'art' is a unique artistic itinerary in Europe that combines contemporary art, hiking, and rural heritage. One notable work along this 150-kilometer route is the Sentinel of the Asse – Andy Goldsworthy, a strange stone construction located in the bends of the Col du Défens. This work is part of a series of three ovoid stone cairns, or 'Sentinels,' created by artist Andy Goldsworthy, representing the valleys of the Haute-Provence Geological Reserve.
What do visitors particularly enjoy about the attractions near Draix?
Visitors appreciate the challenging and technical terrain of areas like Les Terres Noires - Slides, describing it as a mountain biker's paradise with impressive black hills. The Col du Défens (1,230 m) is loved for its good quality road, minimal traffic, and magnificent scenery. The descent to Marcoux via the Black Marl Trails is noted for its varied terrain and unique volcanic rock (marl) sections. The overall blend of natural landscapes and opportunities for outdoor activities is highly valued.
When is the best time to visit Draix for outdoor activities?
The region around Draix is ideal for outdoor activities during seasons with pleasant weather, typically spring, summer, and early autumn. These periods offer suitable conditions for hiking, cycling, and exploring the geological sites. The 'Black Lands' are particularly striking in certain light conditions, making them a captivating sight throughout these months.
Is there any local produce or specialty associated with Draix?
Yes, Draix is known for its white Sarteau pear. This local heritage product can be enjoyed in various forms, such as candied fruit, juices, tarts, and cakes, offering a taste of the region's agricultural traditions.
What is the significance of the Draix-Bléone Observatory?
The Draix-Bléone Observatory is an important research facility that studies hydrological and erosive processes in the mountains. It focuses on water flows, erosion, sediment transport, carbon stocks, and vegetation dynamics, particularly in an area dominated by Jurassic black marls that are vulnerable to weathering. While not a tourist attraction, it highlights the significant geological and environmental research conducted in the region.
Can I find trails suitable for advanced hikers or mountain bikers?
Yes, the area offers challenging routes for experienced adventurers. For mountain bikers, Les Terres Noires - Slides is described as a very technical and challenging course. The Descent to Marcoux via the Black Marl Trails also features very steep parts. For hikers, routes to the summits of Cucuyon and Le Couard provide more advanced options. You can find specific challenging routes in the MTB Trails around Draix and Running Trails around Draix guides.
Most popular attractions around Draix
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