A small village in the Alpes de Haute-Provence, Les Mées is best known for its penitents. Their interest stems from both their geological formation and the legend associated with them. We cannot miss this crowd of rocks, visible from the motorway between Sisteron and Manosque, and which stands not far from the Durance. Mountain biking and hiking are the two main activities that allow you to discover the Mées penitents, which are among the major places of geological interest in the region.
Les Mées
Haute-ProvenceHow were the Mées rocks formed?
The geological origin of this atypical landscape of Provence that are the penitents of Les Mées is linked to erosion. Indeed, the Mées are made of puddingstone. This rock is itself the result of a long process: rock debris from the Alps was patiently rolled by the waves of the Durance and compacted. The wind and the water then did their work to separate the puddingstone into different distinct rocks, giving rise to Les Mées, to which the village has arranged access for tourism.
Les Mées is thus a witness to the formation of the Alps and a gateway to the Geopark of Haute Provence, which extends towards Digne-les-Bains and as far as Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon on the Provence side, and towards Tallard. and Bréziers on the Alps side, thus including the village of Curbans and our campsite. Quickly accessible from the motorway, Les Mées and its strange rocks are now one of the places to visit is a classic during a trip to the south-east of France.
What is the legend of the Mées penitents?
Stretching over 2,5 km in length, the rocks of Les Mées could not fail to attract attention and this atypical landscape of the Alpes de Haute-Provence therefore has its legend. The story goes back to around the year 800, when Count Rimbaud des Mées returned victorious from the crusades against the Saracens. He brings back seven magnificent prisoners from his trip, whom he intends to enjoy in his castle. But a threat of excommunication quickly weighs on the count, who is forced to release his prisoners. It is agreed that a boat will wait for them on the Durance to take them to a convent near Arles, in the heart of Provence. Monks make the trip from Lure to escort the prisoners by forming a hedge that protects them from view. But the devil gets involved: that day, the mistral blows so hard that it lifts the hoods of the monks, who cannot help contemplating with lust the passage of the beautiful infidels. A flash of lightning then instantly petrifies them, freezing these pointed-hooded monks in the form of rocks.
How to visit Les Mées?
A path of about 3h30 allows you to get as close as possible to the penitents of Les Mées, in order to discover these particular rocks formed of pudding stone. Several variations of the trail allow you to customize the hike according to your interests and the time available. For example, it is possible to reach the plateau above the village, where the lavender is in bloom around June and July. Around the village of Les Mées there are also tens of thousands of olive trees. Several mills in the town are open to visitors. It must be said that Les Mées is one of the most important olive-growing towns in the Alpes de Haute-Provence: let your feet take the Chemin des Oliviers during a 3,6 km path to discover centuries-old trees! In the mill of the Penitents, the very recent museum of the Olive tree proposes visits all the year.
The village itself is also worth a visit. Formerly called Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Saint-Roch church is located on the heights of the village and on the beginning of the discovery trail which allows to visit the penitents. The Saint-Honorat chapel (formerly Saint-Blaise) is also a fine example of Romanesque art in the town. In the heart of Les Mées, the Notre-Dame-de-l'Olivier church has a steeple built of pebbles. A stroll through the alleys also offers the opportunity to spot several private mansions, in particular the Hôtel de Crose, listed as a Historic Monument, whose spectacular Saint-Félix portal bears witness to the wealth of certain inhabitants of Les Mées in the XNUMXth century. However, the place is private and not open to visitors.
Although away from the village but still in the commune of Les Mées, the castle of Paillerols bears witness to the centuries of history of this little corner of France. It is indeed built on a former priory founded by the monks of Boscodon. The chateau was then largely modernized, serving as a farm-school and experimentation center for Louis Pasteur... Today, the chateau is an estate that perpetuates the olive-growing tradition of Provence.
What to visit around Les Mées?
Once at Les Mées and the unmissable path of the famous rocks finished, you can further your discovery of the region with a visit to the Notre-Dame-de-Ganagobie monastery, less than a quarter of an hour's drive away, or by joining the town of Digne-les-Bains, about half an hour away, to vary the activities thanks to its via ferrata or its baths. The most athletic will go to the Lure mountain and follow the vertiginous path to the Saint-Pons chapel, while the less seasoned will appreciate the view from the summit.
To end the visits on a note of freshness, go to the lake of Les Mées: if swimming is not authorized there, a fitness trail and a shady path offer a pleasant stopover. Many birds enliven the walk.
Les Mées is easily accessible from Camping du Lac. Do not hesitate to ask us for information to prepare your visit. With Sisteron, the Gorges du Verdon or Digne-les-Bains, Les Mées are among the places in the region to discover during a holiday in the Alpes de Haute-Provence. With the Durance as your guide and the Lac**** campsite as your base camp, set off to visit the unexpected riches of Mother Nature.