The Chapelle Saint-Pancrace was classified as a historic monument by decree of 11 October 1990. Its monumental wall paintings date from the mid- and late 15th century.
When you choose Villar-Saint-Pancrace as your destination, you may wish to book a hotel there.
Culture and History
The Chapelle des Pénitents was listed as a historic monument by decree of 7 July 1965. A church dedicated to Saint Pancrace is documented in Villar-Saint-Pancrace as early as 1168; a local pilgrimage is also recorded there in the late Middle Ages.
The parish church of Villar-Saint-Pancrace was built in 1542 in the Romanesque style under the direction of the architect Ristolani. The Mine de la Cabane is the only small-scale agricultural coal mine in Villar-Saint-Pancrace that can be visited. During guided tours, visitors enter a gallery with a lamp and helmet to learn about the working conditions of former peasant miners.
The Moulin de Sachas was built in the 18th century and enabled families from Villar-Saint-Pancrace to mill their flour. The Espace four in Villar-Saint-Pancrace recounts the history of various farm ovens used to produce lime or plaster. The 36e CTE built the “Route des Espagnols” and the Prelles Tunnel in Villar-Saint-Pancrace.
Nature and Hiking
Lac de l’Orceyrette is an emerald-green lake in the Bois des Ayes, within its biological reserve. The Bois des Ayes covers almost 400 hectares and has a high proportion of old trees.
The hike to Col des Ayes follows the GR5 through the Bois des Ayes and its biological reserve to the border with the Parc Naturel Régional du Queyras. The path to the Refuge des oiseaux du Moulin de Sachas provides information about forest wildlife through information boards, bird and bat nesting boxes, and insect nests.
Lac de l’Orceyrette is suitable for family picnics and fishing. A free map of the Sentier Botanique du Bois du Villard is available at the Centre Montagne in Villar-Saint-Pancrace.
