Colmars

Colmars is a commune in southeastern France. It is located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department, within the Provence-Alpes-Cavoie region. The commune sits in the Ubaye Valley near the border with Italy, set in a mountainous landscape of forests, streams, and alpine pastures. Colmars is part of the arrondissement of Barcelonnette and the canton of Barcelonnette, and it is governed by a mayor and a municipal council responsible for local services and community affairs.

The population is small, concentrated in the village of Colmars and surrounding hamlets. The local economy relies largely on tourism, with outdoor recreation in both summer and winter, including hiking, mountaineering, and access to nearby alpine passes and valleys. Rural activities such as pastoral farming also contribute to the economy.

Colmars has historical significance as a traditional Alpine settlement situated along routes through the mountains. The built environment includes a parish church and remnants of alpine fortifications, reflecting its historical role in border and defense in earlier centuries. The area is accessible by local roads and serves as a starting point for excursions into the higher Alps, including routes toward the Col de Vars and other mountain passes that connect the Ubaye Valley with neighboring valleys.