Introduction

The chapel hangs impressively in the southern rock wall of the Montagne de Robion. We climb via the usual route. It doesn't really spare the pilgrims' legs, the climb is very steep and rocky. Downhill we take a rarely used path that runs closer to the rock wall. This path is mainly used by climbers in winter.

The facts

4,1 km total distance

2 h min walking time

320 m total elevation

orientation average

mark 50% of the total distance

45% easy trails

25% quiet side streets

15% forest roads

10% moderate trails

<5% stairs

dangers southern exposure

children yes

useful picnic stuff

required hiking shoes, hiking gear and water

GPS coordinates (WGS84) of start and end point 43.813477,6.499228

downloads

Public transport

No public transport comes close to the starting point, which is 8 km from the centre of Castellane. Castellane can be reached publicly, however, with the long-distance buses from Zou! (only french).

Access by car

You can get to Robion either via Castellane in the north or Comps-sur-Artuby in the south: the road from Castellane is very narrow and forbidden to vehicles over eight meters long, the curves are simply too narrow. At the saddle, at the Chapel Saint-Thyrse, the road branches off to the village of Robion (dead end sign). You pass the driveway to a house with holiday rooms and drive up to the next crossroads.

Useful parking spaces

There is space on the left immediately before the intersection, so that some vehicles can stop. There are a few other options along the road to the left (we'll come back this way at the end of the tour). All of these parking spaces are on the side of the road, they are not public parking spaces. Be careful not to obstruct the field accesses and also not to drive into cultivated land.

Hints

The hike is easy, but it is important to note the south orientation, in summer it is better to start very early.

There is no fresh water along the hike.

The whole region is a zone with a high risk of forest fires. In summer, but also in other seasons when it is very dry or strong winds, access to the forest areas can be regulated. As a result, the roads may be closed to traffic and/or the trails prohibited to hikers. Current information: Access map to the forests of Alpes de Haute Provence (only french). The map shows the colours green, yellow, orange and red which correspond to levels of danger.

The sections

1. Ascent via Le Petit Robion to the chapel in the rock wall
2. Descent at the foot of the cliff and through Robion

Section 1: Petit Robion - Chapelle St. Trophime

➙ 2 km ... 1 h min ➚ 315 m ➘ 0 m ↝ average

15% quiet side streets, without marks

10% forest roads, with marks

15% easy trails, with marks

15% forest roads, few marks

45% easy trails, few marks

<5% stairs, without marks

From the crossroads we turn right towards the houses of Le Petit Robion. The narrow road rises steeply between large trees. In the course there is a former washing place with a cattle trough.

A little further up we come to the houses of the hamlet of Le Petit Robion. After the first house, turn left and then immediately right onto a forest road. A wayside shrine and a signpost stand here. The point that the chapel of St. Trophime is only 1,5 km away is correct, but you also have to take into account the 300 meters of altitude difference that you have to overcome on this route.

It starts with a wide but rocky forest road that gets progressively steeper. After a few minutes we can leave it via a path on the left, a signpost marks this point. However, the path is no less steep. It cuts off a curve in the forest road that we come across again later.

We come to a forest-free area that looks like a wild gravel pit. However, we continue uphill on the marked path to the chapel and pass a signpost at 1170 meters above sea level. We have to remember this crossing for the way back.

The forest road now again reaches a more shady forest area, but it is really difficult to walk on: the steepness increases and the stones are not pleasant. However, there is no alternative to this section, everything around is overgrown with prickly wild roses, blackberries and juniper.

When the forest road becomes a little flatter, the dirt road turns to the right. However, we continue in a straight line, as can be seen in the photo. From now on, we continue on paths that are no longer passable.

It is now a bit flatter and we come to a fork, where we go shortly downhill to the left. On the right side of the path, a barrier is indicated with stones, here we come down on the way back.

The further course of the path is clearly visible and it goes steadily uphill. After a small double bend we see the chapel a little closer for the first time.

We seem to be passing under the chapel, but this is where the path turns right and we continue uphill in hairpin bends. In the absence of trees, the sun is beating down on the slope and on us hikers.

We come to the foot of the wall and cross ruins of old facilities.

When we are at the highest point under the rock face, we come to stone stairs and go up here to the left. A steel cable serves as a handrail.

After the collapse of some ruins under the chapel, access was quite dangerous for many years. In 2010, the stairs were rebuilt by volunteers.

In a short time you are at the top and are standing on a natural platform under an overhang. The chapel without a tower is squeezed into the western part. This area faces south-east and there is hardly any shade here until the afternoon.

But the chapel is open and it stays quite cool even in summer. Inside, a stone wall serves as a bench and further ahead is a simple altar. More recent, rather naïve-looking frescoes cover the masonry.

It is believed that St. Trophime was the first bishop of Arles. This city also has the much more famous cathedral dedicated to the same saint. Little is known about the chapel, it is assumed that it was built in the 17th century on the remains of an older place of worship. This is how Merovingian signs were found, which unfortunately were stolen. A first restoration took place in the 18th century, and several more have recently followed.

Section 2: Chapelle St. Trophime - Robion

➙ 2,2 km ... 1 h min ➚ 0 m ➘ 315 m ↝ average

<5% stairs, without marks

20% moderate trails, few cairns

10% easy trails, few marks

10% forest roads, few marks

15% easy trails, wrong marks

10% easy trails, without marks

35% quiet side streets, without marks

First we go down the stone stairs and turn right under the chapel (but you can't see it any more from below). From here you look for a passage on the left between the old stone walls of a sheep farm. So we initially go to the north-east and thus come to a less distinctive downward-leading path.

The path becomes steeper and you cross two hairpin bends marked with cairns.

In the following course it becomes flatter and you walk along the edge of a rock slab.

On this flatter and more open area, it is worth looking up into the rock face: swallows nest in the small holes in the rock under the large overhang. If you come by in good thermals, you can see vultures circling here.

Further on, the path climbs up again on the stone slab. Several cairns make it easier to find the way.

In front you can see a massive rock split off from the main rock mass. Our way leads in the direction of the column.

After the big slab of rock, the path descends again and aims for the large crevice in the rock wall. Shortly afterwards we stand directly under the cliff. Here the path turns to the right and steeper down. It runs between boulders and bushes. Further down it goes over gravel slopes overgrown with grass.

After a few minutes we reach the ascent path and go down to the left.

We stay on the path of the ascent for about 300 meters. Unfortunately, this is also the section with the steep and bumpy forest road. Below we come to a crossroads with a signpost to Robion.

On the photo is the said place: at the bush we go to the right!

This new path is a forest road that slowly becomes overgrown. It is flat and has a few weak counter ascents.

Here we are on a themed path (Sentier toponymique du Déffends), which we already encountered on the way up. It connects sequentially numbered locations and arrows sometimes point the way. We pay attention to such a sign with an arrow on this fairly flat forest road: but contrary to the indication, we go down to the left!

We follow a water pipe downhill, which doesn't seem to be particularly tight: many water-loving plants grow here that you won't find anywhere else in the area. The course is not very clearly recognizable, you make a wide arc to get to a more open forest road. Here further down and so you can descend next to a field to the road.

Bottom right and now we go to the end of the tour on asphalt. At the next crossing there is a big tree with a red bench underneath. Behind it is a somewhat clumsy-looking house. It is the church of Robion, the house is built right next to it.

At the crossroads we turn left (coming from the church turn right). In front you can see a large sheep pen, our road passes it above.

You can reach the starting point via this road in a few minutes.

Below you can see the Chapel Saint-Thyrse. You can reach it on foot in about 15 minutes.

Sources and additional information

It is better to use a good topographical hiking map: This tour is on the IGN "Castellane/Lac de Castillon" map, scale 1:25000, 3542OT.

If you don't want to bother with a paper map, you can also use mapping apps on your cell phone. On the one hand, it is the Géoportail app from the official map service IGN. However, it requires access to the data network and this is sometimes difficult in canyons or remote locations.

Alternatively, you can use apps that store data directly on the device. They're generally not free, but they don't cost much. We mainly use OSMAnd, here it is possible to add contour lines, relief shading, markings and others. To store this data on your phone you need a lot of space.

Of course, one needs access to satellites for the GPS signal with any app. In some canyons this is not the case. Therefore, do not rely on the position shown, but read the map on your phone as you would read it on paper. Most apps are available for Android and iPhone. The applications usually allow us to record the route travelled and also view the GPS files offered for each of our hikes.

This page has been seen 45 times since 20 March 2024.