Emblematic Sites And Landmarks
The turbulent geological history of this region is at the origin of its terrain and spectacular panoramic landscapes such as that of the Vélodrome, où les couches successives évoquent un passé toujours difficile à mettre en perspective à l’échelle du temps de l’Homme. Depuis le Serre d’Esclangon (1152 mètres d’altitude),
you can discover this gigantic geological- fold at the heart of which a blade of rock rises towards the sky: the Lame de Facibelle.
As monumental as it may be, geology is sometimes discreet, like the astonishing empreintes de pas d’oiseaux datées de 20 millions d’années. Il aura fallu certaines conditions météorologiques pour que ces empreintes puissent être un jour fossilisées et encore maintenant, bien conservées.
Mémoire de la Terre
Au départ de la route de la mémoire de la Terre, commençons par scruter the immense 320m2 rock-slab covered with more than 1,500 fossilised ammonites and nautiluses. This rock-slab is a precious witness to the sea bed of 200 million years ago. For millions of years, the sea covered the region. As the sea retreated as a result of the uplifting creation of the Alps, it revealed geological treasures such as the strange lunar-like desert of the Terres Noires (Black Lands, black badlands rock formations), as well as the strange marine creatures, the ichthyosaurs.
Then the rivers and streams carved the rock until they sculpted splendid gorges whose autumn colours showcase their power.
We can also mention the gorge at Sisteron, the gorge at Péouré and the gorge at Barles
Visiting and viewing the collection of regional fossils in the Promenade Museum, the Haute-Provence UNESCO Global Geopark Geological Museum & Visitor Interpretation Centre is the ideal gateway to understanding the local geology.
