In the heart of the Queyras Regional Nature Park, Saint-Véran is the highest commune in Europe, at an altitude of 2,045 meters. Its motto is “the land where the rooster pecks at the stars.”
In a dreamlike natural setting, visitors can also admire some wonderful heritage sites.
Saint-Véran is one of the few towns that can boast a church listed as a historic monument.
This church, whose porch is adorned with two carved stone lions topped by two elegant columns, contains beautiful wooden statues of saints carved by the villagers.
In Saint-Véran, you can also admire superb traditional wooden houses and exceptional sundials.
There are 24 of them, many of which were made by the famous sundial maker Giovanni Zarbula in the 19th century. Painted on the houses, they often depict exotic birds or flowers and feature religious or philosophical inscriptions.
Also worth seeing is the Soum, an old house built in 1641, which has been converted into a museum of rural life and contains many ancient objects and tools.
Other attractions in this typical Hautes-Alpes village include its beautiful stone fountains.
Legend...
Formerly known as Sainte-Marie-Madeleine, the commune of Saint-Véran owes its name, according to legend, to Saint-Véran, who was bishop of Cavaillon in the 6th century (585-589) and delivered the countryside around the Fontaine du Vaucluse from a dragon that was wreaking havoc, leading it to Mount Luberon and ordering it to leave.
The monster rose into the air and crashed into the mountain of Saint-Véran. The local inhabitants, informed of the miracle by shepherds from Provence in the summer, named their village after the holy bishop.
Tourist Office
05350 Saint-Véran
Tel: +33 (0)4 92 45 82 21
https://www.saintveran.com/
