In the heart of the Baronnies Provençales Regional Natural Park, 5 km southwest of Laragne, the Méouge gorges connect Drôme Provençale to the Hautes-Alpes by a small road which winds for around ten kilometers between Barret-sur-Méouge and Châteauneuf-de-Chabre, along the Méouge.
The turquoise river cascades, forms whirlpools, water holes, polished pebble beaches, at the bottom of deep and green gorges, bathed in heat and light. Designated as a Wonder of the Hautes-Alpes, the gorges of the Méouge are famous for swimming and hiking… classified as a biological reserve, they are one of the jewels of Sisteron Buëch.
A corner of paradise to cool off
Enjoy an unforgettable swim
The Méouge gorges are THE must-see spot in the summer where swimming is also an opportunity to take incredible photos, at the foot of the famous Roman bridge! You can easily access the pebble beaches with children thanks to a small path laid out from the road where the summer shuttle drops you off. Prefer a baby carrier, sneakers and backpack to be more comfortable! The rocks polished by the crystal clear water of the Méouge offer small natural beaches to lay down your towel and relax by the water. The site is very popular, but by continuing a little further, you will find quiet little spots all along the river to enjoy the cool water of the Méouge!
Swimming Safety Tips
Be careful, do not try to exceed your limits in the Méouge, a raging torrent or peaceful river, its captivating waters, with variable depths, hide dangerous traps: even experienced swimmers cannot fight against the suction whirlpools that are created under the rocks. The Méouge remains a torrent, swimming is not supervised there! Pay close attention to the signs that indicate these places. We are counting on you to avoid the circular currents of the potholes and enjoy the beauty of this natural site in complete peace. If you dive in front of these prohibition signs, know that it is really stupid to take the risk of not coming back up!
Fancy a canyon?
Yes… but not here!
Do you want to take a deep dive after a little abseiling? You will probably be tempted by canyoning in a wild corner with a beautiful waterfall… We recommend the Tines canyon in Bayons a few dozen kilometers away! Because the Méouge gorges are not the ideal place: the limestone tuffs that took several decades to form are fragile and crumbly, and especially in summer there is not enough water! If you want to vary the pleasures with a canoe trip, that is also possible… on the Durance! And yes, the Méouge is a torrential river, it varies depending on the rain, it can experience floods or periods of drought… and here, we do not hide it, the weather is always nice!
Méouge in all its forms
Hike on foot, on horseback, or on two wheels, depending on your desires
…on foot, on horseback, by mountain bike, by cyclo, and even by quadbike, there are many ways to discover the Méouge from Châteauneuf-de-Chabre to Lachau via Saint-Pierre-Avez, Barret-sur-Méouge or Salérans! Many marked trails await you in the gorges; in a loop or on a tour, depending on your level and your desires, there is always a hike for you in the Méouge!
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🥾 Trails and panoramas of the Gorges de la Méouge
Hike through magnificent landscapes!
Starting from the Roman bridge, the small loop "Le Banc du Bouc" allows you to see the essentials in 1 hour without getting too tired. On the other hand, to explore the 13 km of the essential circuit "Le Tour des Gorges de la Méouge" you will need to count 4 to 5 hours of climbs and descents on both the north and south slopes, but the very diverse vegetation and the superb panorama from the Rocher Coupé will reward you! If you are afraid of heights, the Peysson loop is a good compromise!
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By bike in the heart of the Provençal landscapes
Explore our cycle loops between passes and lavender fields
The small winding roads and passes with Provençal scents will delight cycling enthusiasts! Ride on the cycle routes suggested on our cycle map: starting from Laragne 65 km via the Col Saint-Jean on the edge of the lavender fields… pure bliss!
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Mountain bike routes for all levels
Explore more than 1400 km of marked trails
Around twenty mountain bike trails await you in Méouge, from easy paths to do with the family to technical single tracks reserved for athletes. These mountain bike circuits are certified by the FFC with more than 1400 km of marked routes throughout the Sisteron-Buëch mountain bike area. The “Les Chemins du Soleil” route also crosses the area extensively.
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On horseback trekking on exceptional routes
Explore the Méouge on horseback
If you want to discover the Méouge from the top of a horse, it's possible! The map "Riding in the Pays du Buëch and the Provençal Baronnies" gives you all the useful information for a traveling equestrian stay from the Val de Méouge to the Durance!
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From the air above the Méouge gorges
Experience the adrenaline of free flight
For thrill seekers, the Méouge gorges provide access to the Laragne Chabre take-off site, known worldwide for free flight on the Chabre mountain. If you look up, you will probably see a delta or a paraglider taking advantage of the rising air currents, often in the early afternoon. Look closely: they follow the same movement as birds of prey in the sky, describing large circles to gain altitude! If you dream of taking flight, our service providers will offer you first flights, long flights or courses to discover free flight!
– Where to swim in the Méouge gorges?
Wherever there is water! The river runs along the gorges for a good ten kilometers, of course some places are more accessible, more known, but if you walk a little there are many swimming spots all along the Méouge…
– Where to park in the Gorges de la Méouge?
In summer, there is a free car park to take the gorges shuttle, below the road between Châteauneuf and Ribiers. In the off-season, you will find parking spaces in the different villages, and a few picnic spots where you can park.
– Can you access the gorges by camper van?
Yes! The road is narrow and winding, but the tunnel in the Méouge gorges lets 50-seater buses pass (it measures: 5.65m high center axis, 5m wide, and 29m long)! Drive slowly and use the horn on blind bends.
A setting of preserved nature
Explore this Natura 2000 classified site
In the Méouge gorges you will find explanatory panels on the fauna, flora and geology of this exceptional Natura 2000 site! Guided hikes are offered in summer to help you discover the great diversity of the Méouge's natural environments and the rare and protected species that live there. Both sides of the gorges are full of alpine, Provençal, Mediterranean, Iberian and even North African plants. To the south, dry vegetation adapts to the heat, such as thyme and boxwood, to the north the denser forest benefits from the humidity.
Meeting birds and wildlife
Observe rare birds of prey and birds of prey
Enthusiasts come here to observe orchids, dwarf iris or starry scandix but also wildlife and especially birds. The river is the domain of the southern barbel, but also of the dipper: a small bird that alternates between the water and the banks. If you are patient, perhaps you will see the bee-eater, the golden eagle or even the Eagle Owl. Did you know that the cliffs are also home to a wide variety of bats? The lesser horseshoe bat for example!
A journey through geological time
Discover the fossilized traces of a 200 million year old sea
The gorges of the Méouge are of great geological interest, with their sedimentary rocks that have been transformed over time. Beautiful, impressive, undulating strata remind us that the sea was present here 200 years ago, the mud was then deposited, with it, shells, animals were found fossilized... and today they remain witnesses to the history of time that you can contemplate if you are interested between two swims!
A bridge full of history
Admire the famous three-arched bridge
The famous three-arched bridge, listed as a Historic Monument since 1981, is undoubtedly the most famous monument in the Méouge gorges. It is often wrongly called the “Roman Bridge” because it probably dates from the 14th century!
If you look closely you will notice two Romanesque arches and one in Gothic style which was probably rebuilt following a flood. In 1901, a major flood of the Méouge swept away the mill attached to the bridge, it was not rebuilt, but you can see its remains at the foot of the bridge. This bridge gave access to the mill by connecting the two banks.
Authentic villages of Méouge
Discover the charm of the villages
We also invite you to visit the villages of the Méouge gorges, in addition to a breathtaking view you will discover a church, sometimes even two, a fountain, a wash house, and often a sundial! Starting with Antonaves, with its church decorated with a sundial, and two bells, one of which comes from the church of Pomet, continue towards Saint-Pierre-Avez, which reveals its church, its fountain and its wash house on the heights. Along the road, you will cross Barret-sur-Méouge, with its beautiful sundial on the wall of the school, its Saint-Michel church and its chapel on the heights. Between Barret and Éourres, make a short stop at Salérans, to see its Saint-André church, its fountain-wash house and its sundial from 1740 before reaching Éourres, on the heights at an altitude of 1000m before going back down to Lachau to admire its castle and its exceptional Romanesque church.
