This medieval village sits atop a rocky peak in the Buëch Valley, with 12th-century Romanesque church, stone staircases, and Renaissance-era Hôtel de Lesdiguières adorned with ornate carvings.
Perched on a rocky peak in the Buëch Valley of southeastern France, Serres has a medieval layout with stone staircases and covered passages. You can explore the 12th-century Romanesque church with its distinctive bell tower, walk through the Renaissance-era Hôtel de Lesdiguières with its ornate window carvings, or attend one of the jazz performances during the July festival that fills the village streets with music.
Walking the Medieval Streets
From the village center, climb the stone staircase past the square clock tower and through the 1556 Guire gate. The main cobblestone street splits into smaller paths, leading you under vaulted passages and up worn stone steps. Look for the remaining sections of 14th-century walls and defensive towers as you walk upward.
Landmarks of Serres
The 12th-century Romanesque-Provençal church dominates the village center, its stone bell tower rising above the red-tiled roofs. At the Hôtel de Lesdiguières, built for François de Bonne, Duke and Marshal of France, examine the detailed Renaissance window carvings on its Baroque facade. Follow the sentier des Fades path to the village summit to find the Bonsecours chapel and a preserved 14th-century Jewish tomb.
Arts and Culture
During the last week of July, jazz musicians perform classical, standard, manouche, and blues concerts across village venues at the Serres Jazz Festival. The Blue Buëch association schedules classical-jazz fusion concerts from spring through fall. During Serres Lez'Arts, local artists welcome visitors into their studios to view more than 300 paintings, sculptures, and drawings.
Getting Around
Find Serres at the junction of the N75 (route des deux-soleils) and D994 (route des baronnies). The train station connects to the Lyon-Perrache to Marseille-Saint-Charles line, with daily TER trains to Marseille and Briançon. Gap lies 33 km away, and Sisteron is 32 km from the village.
Activities in Baronnies Provençales
Walk the marked trails in Baronnies Provençales Natural Regional Park, ranging from 6 km loops to 20 km routes. Kayak the Buëch River's class II and III rapids, or head to the base de loisirs de la Germanette for swimming in the supervised lake area, water sports, and fishing spots.
