La Bâtie-Vieille Town Hall

Population: 316 (2012)

Average altitude: 968 m

Area: 9.1 km²

Mayor: Mr Francis CESTER

Local residents: Les Bastidons and Les Bastidonnes

A 12th-century watchtower stands overlooking the village. It is a cylindrical keep with a pointed top, surrounded by a curtain wall, situated at an altitude of 1,000 m, overlooking the village and defended by a moat. A second ‘square’ tower, the remains of a curtain wall from a fort that disappeared in 1517, demonstrates the strategic and military importance of this hilltop village in the defence of the Alpine borders.

From the top of its hill, every corner of the village offers a magnificent 360° panoramic view of the peaks of the Champsaur and Gapençais regions. It comprises the village itself and two hamlets: Le Grand Larra and Les Guérins.

The route to Santiago de Compostela passes through the village at Les Guérins. The village’s economy centres on tourist accommodation and the numerous farms in the area, much of which is wooded.

More than half of the commune’s area is used for modern traditional agriculture. Around 40 per cent of the commune’s area is covered by woods and forests. These forests help prevent erosion, provide shelter from the wind and contribute to the commune’s scenic beauty.