Les Pénitents (Pénitents des Mées or Rochers des Mées) is a cliff located in the French Alps, overlooking the Durance valley and the village of Les Mées, in the Alpes de Haute-Provence department, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, France.
This site is located at one of the entrances to the Haute-Provence geological nature reserve.
The rocks were formed by erosion of materials composed of cemented pebbles called puddingue. The cliffs have taken conical shapes that may suggest an alignment of figures in homespun robes, hence the toponym. The site is home to diverse flora and fauna, some species of which are protected, such as the late moss owl and the eagle owl.
Shortest distances by car
From Paris: 8 hr 9 min (738 km) via A6
From Marseille: 1 hr 17 min (114 km) via A51
From Nice: 2 hr 39 min (222 km) via A8
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