Hotels in Colmars

Colmars: Vauban Walls Above the Verdon

Colmars-les-Alpes sits at 1,235 metres in the upper Verdon valley, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, roughly 85 km north of Digne-les-Bains. The village takes its full name from a Roman temple to Mars that once occupied the hilltop. Two fortifications — Fort de Savoie and Fort de France — were reinforced by Vauban in 1693 to defend a strategic border crossing between France and the Duchy of Savoy. Both forts survive intact and open to visitors each summer, making Colmars one of the most complete examples of 17th-century Alpine military architecture in the region.

Where to Stay and Getting Around

Accommodation options are deliberately small-scale: family-run hotels, gîtes, and chambres d'hôtes cluster inside or just beyond the medieval walls, most within a five-minute walk of the Porte de Savoie. In winter the village connects to the Sauze–Super-Sauze ski area roughly 20 km to the south, drawing skiers who prefer a fortified stone village over larger resort towns.

Practical Tips

• Access: The nearest train station is Thorame-Haute on the Chemins de Fer de Provence line, around 10 km away; most visitors arrive by car via the D908 from Annot or Barcelonnette.
• Season: Fort de Savoie opens July–August; confirm dates with the local mairie before visiting.
• Altitude: Evenings drop sharply even in July at 1,235 m — pack a warm layer regardless of daytime heat.
• Driving: The D908 through the Verdon gorge can be narrow; allow extra time on the approach from the south.