Le Chaffaut-Saint-Jurson is a municipality in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, in the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur region, 10 km south of Digne-les-Bains which it borders.
Its vast territory of 36 km² has expanded over time following successive mergers of the old parishes of Chaffaut, Lagremuse, Saint-Jurson and Espinouse.
Located in the Bléone Valley in the mid-mountain area, its altitude varying from 470 to 960 m, Le Chaffaut-Saint-Jurson was formerly of several strongholds, and the activity there was essentially viticultural. After the phylloxera crisis, sheep farms and the cultivation of sunflower and lavender developed, enlivening a hilly and charming landscape with a backdrop of peaks such as the Cousson (1500 m).
Always rural, the town which now has some 800 inhabitants has preserved a heritage of interest in a quality environment that delights hikers.
Several civic or religious buildings are worth a look. A visit in the form of discovery of the town will begin and the castle of Chaffaut, framed by three square towers (a fourth has disappeared), completed in 1634. Louis XIII style, classified, impressive appearance, with a park green, it is the jewel of the village (the building is being restored).
At Chaffaut always, two old houses dated 1681 and 1717 are still visible. As for the St. Bartholomew's Church, built during the second half of the 17th century, rebuilt in the 19th century, its capped nave and baptismal font are located in a side chapel.
On the other villages or hamlets, the ruins of the castle of Lagremuse (XV), on a rock, and Espinouse, or the old bastide of Carmejane do not lack charm.
Finally, the 17th century church of Saint-Jacques d'Espinouse has a beautifully carved portal and houses wooden busts of Saint-Mathieu and Saint-Jacques (17th century). And in Saint-Jurson, the chapel Saint-Georges built in 1810 has three classified objects: a processional cross of the eighteenth century, a silver monstrance of the eighteenth and a painting depicting the Madonna and Child seventeenth.
At the option of the paths and hamlets, one will also notice the typical character of certain barns whose top is perforated (to allow to dry harvests) and other small elements of inheritance (crosses, fountains).
In general, lovers of hiking or mountain biking have many paths and paths available. Like those leading to the hamlet of Lagremuse or Espinouse, arranged through a hilly landscape and sometimes surrounded by fields of lavender. Other courses allow to win Digne-les-Bains or the surrounding peaks. Documentation and information on +33 4 92 36 62 62.
Another goal of the walk, the new bridge completed in 2013 spanning the Bléone which has a lane reserved for pedestrians and cyclists.
Finally, it will be appreciated to discover the landscape of the locality and the region by borrowing the venerable Pignes train which connects Nice to Digne and which halts in station of Saint-Jurson. The itinerary always includes exceptional panoramas... Information on +33 4 92 31 01 58.
