Estoublon

Overview

A commune of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence (04), in the Asse valley, at the foot of the Montdenier massif, close to the Trévans gorges. It belongs to Provence-Alpes Agglomération. Postcode 04270.

Where to stay in Estoublon

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What to see, what to do

Trévans gorges

A canyon cut by the Estoublaïsse into the Jurassic limestone of the Montdenier massif, with walls that can approach 200 m in height. Less deep than the Verdon gorges but wild and unspoilt, it runs from upstream of the former village of Valbonnette down towards Estoublon. The site is protected as the Trévans gorges state biological reserve, it is listed as a departmental Sensitive Natural Area (Espace naturel sensible) and is part of the Natura 2000 network; the flora combines Mediterranean species (terebinth) with mountain species (larch), and the wildlife includes chamois as well as some forty species of birds and bats. A circular walk of under 10 km (a little over 4 hours' walking) takes you through the gorges; you can swim along the torrent.

Clock tower

The public clock tower dates from 1719 and was registered as a historic monument by order of 27 October 1941 (Mérimée database PA00080391). It is one of the village's emblematic buildings.

Parish church of Notre-Dame

Originally a priory created in 1001 by the Abbey of Montmajour, it later passed to the Abbey of Saint-Victor in Marseille in the 14th century. The old 12th-century Romanesque apse is registered as a historic monument (order of 2 December 1926, Mérimée database PA00080390); a second apse was built in the 16th century and the church was rebuilt in the 1870s.

Chapel of Saint-André de Trévans

A ruined chapel standing alone on a promontory above the Trévans gorges. It belonged to a monastic complex destroyed in August 1575 by the Catholics during the Wars of Religion, to stop it being used as a refuge by Protestants.

Former priory (monastery) of Trévans

A priory (Saint-Jean-de-Bosco according to some sources), founded in the 13th century and later Carmelite, destroyed in 1575; its religious then withdrew to Estoublon, where one quarter of the village is still called 'Le Couvent'.

Milestone of Augustus

A Roman milestone dedicated to the emperor Augustus, dated to the year 3 BC (reference CIL 12, 05489), evidence that an ancient road ran through the Asse valley.

Olive grove and olive conservatory

The olive plateau of Estoublon, a remarkable Mediterranean site with more than a thousand trees in production, including some several centuries old. There is an olive conservatory, a butterfly garden and an information point for the Haute-Provence geological reserve. The area falls within the Asse Natura 2000 site.

Chapel of Saint-Joseph de Bellegarde

A chapel that survives in the hamlet of Bellegarde.

History of Estoublon

The name Estoublon is linked to the Late Latin establo ('little stable'), and tradition makes the place a former stagecoach staging post. It appears very early on: a 'battle of Estoublon' against Lombard or Saxon bands is placed in 572, and in 1001-1011 the Abbey of Montmajour received property here and founded a priory. In the Middle Ages the lordship is documented: Guillaume de Roumoules is recorded as lord of Estoublon in 1309; the fief then passed to the Grimaldi in the 14th century, and to the house of Garde in the 17th century. The Wars of Religion left their mark on the area: in August 1575 the monastery of Trévans was destroyed by the troops of the count of Carcès. In April 1664 the fief was raised to a marquisate for Jacques de Grille de Robiac. The population peaked at around 750 inhabitants in the middle of the 19th century (about 1846) before falling back, as everywhere in the hinterland, until the 1970s. In 1973 the commune merged with that of Trévans.

Events & highlights

Summer events — summer

A summer programme that includes a garlic fair, open-air film screenings and a fireworks display.