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St. André is on the N202 (94 km from Nice), at the upper end of Lac de Castillon, about 20 km north of Castellane. St. André is also on the line of the Train des Pignes. At the station, just outside the town, is an outdoor picnic area, with wooden benches and tables shaded by Giant Sequoias, firs and pines a hundred-plus years old (like those at Barrême and Moriez).
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Nearby: |
Allos 36 km |
Annot 25 km |
Barrême 13 km |
Castellane 21 km |
Colmars 28 km |
Digne-les-Bains 43 km |
Entrevaux 38 km |
Puget-Théniers 45 km |
Senez 18 km |
Sisteron 82 km |
Below: |
O.T. |
Sports |
Hiking |
Dining |
Lodging Hotels |
St. André is a popular tourist center, although far enough away from the busy crowds of the major cities and the coast. There are a number of hotels and restaurants here, along with some small shops, cafés and gas stations.
The upper valley of the Verdon river goes north out of town, followed by the road which passes through Thorame-Haute, ski stations of Colmars and Allos, and up to the Parc du Mercantour. The line of the Train des Pignes also follows the valley until, just past Thorame-Haute, it turns to cross over the river and beneath the road to plunge straight into the side of the mountain. The train crosses deep beneath the Col St. Michel and exits almost three and a half km away in the Vaire valley just above Méailles.
Office de Tourisme
Tel : 0492 89 02 39; Fax: 04 92 89 19 23
Tel: 04 92 89 15 40
Email: info@ot-st-andre-les-alpes.fr
Sports
Hang Gliding
This is an internationally popular hang-gliding and paragliding site, with mountains close to town at the west, going up to over 1700 m, and wide valleys down towards the lake. The main landing site is just at the edge of the lake, within easy walking distance of the town.
Fishing
AAPPMA La Verdissole
Fishing Association
Location:
Mairie de St André-les-Alpes
Tel: 0492 890 204, or 0493 936 259
Bar de Provence
Fishing permits (carte de pêche)
Location:
Place dela Mairie
Tel: 0492 890 509, or 0493 936 259
Maison de la Presse
Fishing permits (carte de pêche)
Location:
Ave de la Gare
Tel: 0492 890 601, or 0493 936 259
River Fishing
L'Issole river flowing to St André from the north (along the D2 road) and the upper Verdon river flowing to St André from the northeast (along the D955 road). Both are good trout rivers, fast flowing and easily accessable.
Sport Passion
Fishing permits (carte de pêche)
Location:
Place de l'Eglise
Tel: 0492 890 799, or 0493 936 259
Hiking
- Maps:
- IGN (1/25,000) #3541 OT "Annot - St. André-les-Alpes"
There are lots of excellent hikes around St André, but this is mountainous country so most of them are fairly steep, in one direction or another.
Start north out of the village, then turn left immediately onto the D2 towards Lambruisse. About 2 km up the road, along the Issole river, a trail goes off to the right towards Seuil. This trail takes you to the ruins, and also to a group of trails that allow different loop possibilities in the thickly forested mountains.
11 km west of St André and 2 km east of Barrême, the D19 road goes north (10 km) to the Bois de Tartonne, then loops east on the D219 over the Col de Défend and down the D2 to St André. At Tartonne by the hamlet of Plan de Chaude (map IGN 3440ET), you'll find a pretty little church with an old stone bell tower; a GR trail goes east up the valley to the Col de Défend. You can hike back again for an easy hike, or continue from the Col northeast to Château-Garnier, beside Thorame-Basse (map IGN 3541OT).
Dining
For winter dining, the Hotel-restaurant La Closeraie Bagatelle, on the main road at the edge of the village, is all that's open. The welcome is warm and friendly and the dining is good.
Lodging - Hotels
Lodging
Hotel Monge
"l'Hotellerie depuis 1920". Beyond has stayed at this hotle on the edge of the village several times over the years, including one winter night when we woke up snow-bound in the morning. An old building with high ceilings and period decorations, and a great breakfast.
Location:
Route d'Allos
Tel: 0492 890 106; Fax: 0492 891 737
Email: hotelmonge@wanadoo.fr
Web: www.verdon-provence.com/hotelmonge.htm
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Photo gallery of 7 photos for Saint André-les-Alpes
