Méailles
Pop. : 69 h. Alt : 1000 m.

Department : Alpes de Haute Provence

When you reach the high plateau with a few cows grazing in the green prairies there is a complete change of scenery. Time has literally stopped here. Country life continues as it always has, as shown by the numerous farms and hay barns that are still in activity, not to mention the hens pecking about.

The village nestling around its square bell tower with its astonishing black, red and green-tiled roof also reserves many surprises for you.

You must lose yourself in every nook and cranny of its quiet streets, to admire the old houses built with the region's beautiful warm beige stone. Several of these houses have been restored with taste - pantiles, dark woodwork - although some have been abandoned.

The beautiful church with its slated roof is also built from dressed stone. The Latin inscription on its sundial reminds us of the rapid passage of time (“Fugit Vireparabile Tempus”). Such a pleasant village, lulled by birdsong and gurgling fountains.

Méailles is anything but a declining village: you will be greeted by each smiling inhabitant that you meet, both young and old: happy no doubt to be living in this marvellously peaceful little paradise.

Worth visiting :

The inside of the church
(altarpiece listed as 16th century and two beautiful paintings :
the "Déposition de la Croix" and the "Donation du Rosaire").
The Méailles cave (2 km from the village) :
a 400m long gallery with a roof made up of rounded limestone lumps
(pudding stones) and very beautiful stalactites.

Accommodation :

1 restaurant on the square.
1 Rural gîte and 1 Restaurant at nearby Fugeret (2.7 km).
1 Gîte and 1 Restaurant at Colle St Michel.

Leisure activities :

Walking trips (to the hamlets of Argenton and Chabrières,
the sources of the Coulomp and the Vaïre rivers). Mountain-biking.
In winter there is cross-country skiing at Colle St-Michel and Colle Basse
and downhill skiing at the Foux d'Allos (55 kilometres away).