The Trevans Canyon is situated about half way between Riez and Digne, near the village of d’Estoublon, in the department of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. Like the famous Grand Canyon du Verdon, a bit further south-east, this small canyon is the results of 135 million years of work by the river Estoublaisse, which has cut out the steep canyon walls. It’s a small paradise with plenty of marked routs for hikers and the possibility of cooling down in small river coves.
The whole area is a protected biological reserve with an amazing variety of trees and plants and more than 40 species of birds. The chamois can feel safe here from hunting, which is prohibited throughout the year.
With the constant sound of the river, walking along the narrow paths of the canyon, you can easily feel like walking in a dream. So remote from people at large, you might finish off a 5 hours tour (off season) without seeing anyone, but ruins of people that once upon a time lived here: the tiny hamlet of Valbonnette with it’s Baker’s oven still visible and the Chapel of St. Andre on a mountain ridge 900 meters above sea level. The light is direct and intens or indirect in the shade of the steep mountain sides of the canyon. The river bed never stops giving you nice surprises by way of small details in the rocks or exiting lighting effects on trees or on the river bank itself.
