Saint-Vincent-les-Forts, Free flight site and delegated commune in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France
Saint-Vincent-les-Forts is a mountain village and delegated commune in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, sitting at around 4,265 feet (1,300 meters) above sea level in the canton of Le Lauzet-Ubaye near Barcelonnette. It also serves as a free flight site, with a dedicated launch area for paragliders and hang gliders above the valley.
The village takes its name from a fort built after the military engineer Vauban inspected the area in the late 1600s, as part of a network of defenses meant to protect the region from invasion. A watchtower dating to 1696, known as the Tower at Hourds, was used to spot enemies and relay signals across the valley.
The village is a known launch site for paragliders and hang gliders, who take off from a dedicated spot above the valley and the Serre-Ponçon lake. Walking through the streets, you notice stacked firewood in front of stone houses and hear cowbells drifting up from nearby pastures.
The village is best reached by car, and some paths require a bit of uphill walking on rocky ground to reach viewpoints or the fort area. Summer and early autumn offer the clearest conditions for exploring the surroundings on foot or by bike.
Although the Vauban fort stands visibly above the village, it is private property and cannot be visited from inside. It remains clearly visible from the trails around the village, alongside the view of the Serre-Ponçon lake opening up below.
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