diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index c14f865..8aeb3eb 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -1,6 +1,11 @@
 cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.20)
 project(caribu LANGUAGES C CXX)
 
+if(DEFINED ENV{SKIP_EXT})
+  message(STATUS "Skipping build of C/C++ extensions (SKIP_EXT set)")
+  return()  # stops processing the CMakeLists here
+endif()
+
 set(CMAKE_C_STANDARD 17)
 set(CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD 17)
 set(CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD_REQUIRED ON)
diff --git a/conda/meta.yaml b/conda/meta.yaml
index aaab735..0f798d8 100644
--- a/conda/meta.yaml
+++ b/conda/meta.yaml
@@ -41,15 +41,11 @@ requirements:
     - scikit-build-core
     - setuptools
     - wheel
-
   build:
     - {{ compiler('c') }}
     - {{ compiler('cxx') }}
-    - cmake
-    - ninja
   run:
     - python
-    - path              # path.py is outdated
     - openalea.plantgl
     - openalea.mtg
 
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index a96747f..79b3f1b 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -31,9 +31,7 @@ classifiers = [
   "Topic :: Scientific/Engineering",
 ]
 dynamic = ["version", "readme"]
-dependencies = [
-  "path"
-]
+dependencies = []
 
 [project.optional-dependencies]
 test = ["pytest"]
diff --git a/src/openalea/caribu/CaribuScene.py b/src/openalea/caribu/CaribuScene.py
index 93764d6..4984f4e 100644
--- a/src/openalea/caribu/CaribuScene.py
+++ b/src/openalea/caribu/CaribuScene.py
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
 from itertools import groupby, chain
 from math import sqrt
 from numbers import Number
+from pathlib import Path
 
 from openalea.mtg.mtg import MTG
 from openalea.plantgl.all import Scene as pglScene, Viewer
@@ -286,18 +287,18 @@ def __init__(self, scene=None, light=None, pattern=None, opt=None,
                         z_soil = self.scene.getZmin()
                 self.soil = domain_mesh(self.pattern, z_soil, soil_mesh)
         
-        self.tempdir = '' # allow testing existence in __del__
+        self.tempdir = Path(' ') # allow testing existence in __del__
         if filecache:
             self.tempdir = tempfile.mkdtemp() if not debug else './caribuscene_'+str(id(self))
+            self.tempdir = Path(self.tempdir)
         self.canfile = None
         self.optfile = None
 
 
     def __del__(self):
-        if hasattr(self, 'tempdir') and self.tempdir:
-            if os.path.exists(self.tempdir):
-                import shutil
-                shutil.rmtree(self.tempdir)
+        if self.tempdir.exists():
+            import shutil
+            shutil.rmtree(self.tempdir)
 
 
 
@@ -558,8 +559,8 @@ def run(self, direct=True, infinite=False, d_sphere=0.5, layers=10,
                     self.materialvalues = materials
 
                     if self.tempdir != '':
-                        self.canfile = os.path.join(self.tempdir,'cscene.can')
-                        self.optfile = os.path.join(self.tempdir,'band0.opt')
+                        self.canfile = self.tempdir / 'cscene.can'
+                        self.optfile = self.tempdir / 'band0.opt'
                         write_scene(triangles, materials, canfile = self.canfile, optfile = self.optfile)
 
                 else:
diff --git a/src/openalea/caribu/caribu_shell.py b/src/openalea/caribu/caribu_shell.py
index df9c5b4..5dc9c8c 100644
--- a/src/openalea/caribu/caribu_shell.py
+++ b/src/openalea/caribu/caribu_shell.py
@@ -21,20 +21,11 @@
   Contact: chelle@grinon.inra.fr
   INRA - INRIA - CIRAD
 """
-import os
 from subprocess import Popen, STDOUT, PIPE
 import tempfile
 import platform
-try:
-    from path import Path
-except ImportError:
-    try:
-        from path import path as Path
-    except ImportError:
-        try:
-            from openalea.core.path import path as Path
-        except ImportError:
-            from IPython.external.path import path as Path
+from pathlib import Path
+import shutil
 
 
 def _process(cmd, directory, out):
@@ -74,21 +65,17 @@ def _safe_iter(obj, atomic_types=(str, int, float, complex)):
 
 def _abrev(fnc, maxlg=1):
     """
-    abbreviate a text string containing a path or a file content to the first maxlg lines,
-    addind '...' when the number of libnes is greater than maxlg
+    abbreviate a file content to the first maxlg lines,
+    addind '...' when the number of libnes is greater than maxlg.
+    If fnc is a Path, return str(fnc)
     """
+    if fnc is None:
+        return 'None'
+
     # Check if fnc is a path or a file content
-    if os.name == 'nt':
-        # we avoid using os.path.exists on Windows because of
-        # its limit of number of characters
-        if fnc is None or fnc.find("/") != -1 or fnc.find("\\") != -1:
-            return str(fnc)
-    
-    # os.path.exists works on unix systems
-    else :
-        if fnc is None or os.path.exists(fnc):
-            return str(fnc)
-    
+    if isinstance(fnc, Path):
+        return str(fnc)
+
     lines = fnc.splitlines()
     if maxlg <= 1:
         return lines[0] + ' ... '
@@ -135,13 +122,13 @@ def __init__(self,
         """
         Class fo Nested radiosity illumination on a 3D scene.
 
-        canfile: file '.can' (or file content) representing 3d scene
-        skyfile: file/file content containing all the light description
-        optfiles: list of files/files contents defining optical property
-        sensorfile: file or file content with virtual sensor positions
+        canfile: Path to / content of a file representing 3d scene
+        skyfile: Path to / content of a sky file defining all the light description
+        optfiles: list of Path to / content of files defining optical property
+        sensorfile: Path to / content of a file defining virtual sensor positions
         optnames: list of name to be used as keys for output dict (if None use the name of the opt files or
         the generic names band0,band1 if optfiles are given as content)
-        patternfile: file/file content that defines a domain to till the scene.
+        patternfile: Path to / content of a file that defines a domain to till the scene.
         direct: consider only direct projection
         infinitise: Consider a toric canopy (infinite). Needs a pattern to take effect
         nb_layers: number of layers to be considered for the scene
@@ -160,7 +147,7 @@ def __init__(self,
         self.my_dbg = debug
         # print "my_dbg = ",   self.my_dbg
         # tempdir (initialised to allow testing of  existence in del)
-        self.tempdir = Path('')
+        self.tempdir = Path(' ')
 
         # Input files
         self.scene = canfile
@@ -198,7 +185,7 @@ def __del__(self):
         else:
             if self.tempdir.exists():
                 # print 'Remove tempfile %s'%self.tempdir
-                self.tempdir.rmtree()
+                shutil.rmtree(self.tempdir)
 
     def __str__(self):
         s = """
@@ -276,8 +263,8 @@ def init(self):
             # try to derive from filename or use generic name
             optn = []
             for i, opt in enumerate(_safe_iter(self.opticals)):
-                if os.path.exists(opt):
-                    name = str(Path(Path(opt).basename()).stripext())
+                if isinstance(opt, Path):
+                    name = opt.stem
                     optn.append(name)
                 else:
                     optn.append('band%d' % i)
@@ -320,54 +307,52 @@ def setup_working_dir(self):
     def copyfiles(self, skip_sky=False, skip_pattern=False, skip_opt=False):
         d = self.tempdir
 
-        if str(self.scene).endswith('.can'):
-            fn = Path(self.scene)
-            fn.copy(d / fn.basename())
+        if isinstance(self.scene, Path):
+            dst = d / self.scene.name
+            shutil.copy(self.scene, dst)
         else:
-            fn = d / 'cscene.can'
-            fn.write_text(self.scene)
-        self.scene = Path(fn.basename())
+            dst = d / 'cscene.can'
+            dst.write_text(self.scene)
+        self.scene = Path(dst.name)
 
         if not skip_sky:
-            if os.path.exists(self.sky):
-                fn = Path(self.sky)
-                fn.copy(d / fn.basename())
+            if isinstance(self.sky, Path):
+                dst = d / self.sky.name
+                shutil.copy(self.sky, dst)
             else:
-                fn = d / 'sky.light'
-                fn.write_text(self.sky)
-            self.sky = Path(fn.basename())
+                dst = d / 'sky.light'
+                dst.write_text(self.sky)
+            self.sky = Path(dst.name)
 
         if not skip_pattern:
             if self.infinity:
-                if os.path.exists(self.pattern):
-                    fn = Path(self.pattern)
-                    fn.copy(d / fn.basename())
+                if isinstance(self.pattern, Path):
+                    dst = d / self.pattern.name
+                    shutil.copy(self.pattern, dst)
                 else:
-                    fn = d / 'pattern.8'
-                    fn.write_text(self.pattern)
-                self.pattern = Path(fn.basename())
+                    dst = d / 'pattern.8'
+                    dst.write_text(self.pattern)
+                self.pattern = Path(dst.name)
 
         if self.sensor is not None:
-            if str(self.sensor).endswith('.can'):
-                fn = Path(self.sensor)
-                fn.copy(d / fn.basename())
+            if isinstance(self.sensor, Path):
+                dst = d / self.sensor.name
+                shutil.copy(self.sensor, dst)
             else:
-                fn = d / 'sensor.can'
-                fn.write_text(self.sensor)
-            self.sensor = Path(fn.basename())
+                dst = d / 'sensor.can'
+                dst.write_text(self.sensor)
+            self.sensor = Path(dst.name)
 
         if not skip_opt:
             optn = [x + '.opt' for x in _safe_iter(self.optnames)]
             try:
                 for i, opt in enumerate(_safe_iter(self.opticals)):
                     # safe_iter allows not to iterate along character composing the optfile name when only one optfile is given
-                    if os.path.exists(opt):
-                        # print opt
-                        fn = Path(opt)
-                        fn.copy(d / optn[i])
+                    dst = d / optn[i]
+                    if isinstance(opt, Path):
+                        shutil.copy(opt, dst)
                     else:
-                        fn = d / optn[i]
-                        fn.write_text(opt)
+                        dst.write_text(opt)
                 self.opticals = list(map(Path, _safe_iter(optn)))
             except IndexError:
                 raise CaribuOptionError("Optnames list must be None or as long as optfiles list")
@@ -472,7 +457,7 @@ def run_periodise(self):
 
     def periodise(self):
         d = self.tempdir
-        name, ext = self.scene.splitext()
+        name, ext = self.scene.stem, self.scene.suffix
         outscene = name + '_8' + ext
         cmd = '%s -m %s -8 %s -o %s ' % (self.periodise_name, self.scene, self.pattern, outscene)
         if self.my_dbg:
@@ -489,7 +474,7 @@ def periodise(self):
 
     def s2v(self):
         d = self.tempdir
-        wavelength = ' '.join([fn.stripext() for fn in self.opticals])
+        wavelength = ' '.join([fn.stem for fn in self.opticals])
         cmd = "%s %s %d %f %s " % (
             self.s2v_name, self.scene, self.nb_layers, self.can_height, self.pattern) + wavelength
         if self.my_dbg:
@@ -506,20 +491,19 @@ def s2v(self):
 
     def mcsail(self, opt):
         d = self.tempdir
-        optname, ext = Path(opt.basename()).splitext()
-        (d / optname + '.spec').copy(d / 'spectral')
+        shutil.copy(d / opt.with_suffix('.spec'), d / 'spectral')
 
         cmd = "%s %s " % (self.sail_name, self.sky)
 
         if self.my_dbg:
             print(">>> mcsail(): ", cmd)
-        logfile = "sail-%s.log" % optname
+        logfile = "sail-%s.log" % opt.stem
         logfile = d / logfile
         status = _process(cmd, d, logfile)
 
         mcsailenv = d / 'mlsail.env'
         if mcsailenv.exists():
-            mcsailenv.move(d / optname + '.env')
+            mcsailenv.rename(d / opt.with_suffix('.env'))
         else:
             f = open(logfile)
             msg = f.readlines()
@@ -531,9 +515,8 @@ def canestra(self, opt):
         """Fonction d'appel de l'executable canestrad, code C++ compilee de la radiosite mixte  - MC09"""
         # canestrad -M $Sc -8 $argv[6] -l $argv[2] -p $po.opt -e $po.env -s -r  $argv[1] -1
         d = self.tempdir
-        optname, ext = Path(opt.basename()).splitext()
         if self.my_dbg:
-            print(optname)
+            print(opt.stem)
         str_pattern = str_direct = str_FF = str_diam = str_env = str_sensor = ""
 
         if self.infinity:
@@ -552,7 +535,7 @@ def canestra(self, opt):
             else:
                 str_FF = " -w " + self.FF_name
             if self.sphere_diameter >= 0:
-                str_env = " -e %s.env " % optname
+                str_env = " -e %s.env " % opt.stem
 
         if self.sensor is not None:
             str_sensor = " -C %s " % self.sensor
@@ -568,24 +551,24 @@ def canestra(self, opt):
         ficres = d / 'Etri.vec0'
         ficsens = d / 'solem.dat'
         if ficres.exists():
-            self.store_result(ficres, str(optname))
+            self.store_result(ficres, opt.stem)
 
             if self.sensor is not None:
                 if ficsens.exists():
-                    self.store_sensor(ficsens, str(optname))
+                    self.store_sensor(ficsens, opt.stem)
 
             if self.resdir is not None:
                 # copy result files
-                fdest = Path(optname + ".vec")
+                fdest = opt.with_suffix('.vec')
                 if self.my_dbg:
-                    print(fdest)
-                ficres.move(self.resdir / fdest)
+                    print(fdest.name)
+                ficres.rename(self.resdir / fdest)
 
                 if self.sensor is not None:
-                    fdest = Path(optname + ".sens")
+                    fdest = opt.with_suffix('.sens')
                     if self.my_dbg:
                         print(fdest)
-                    ficsens.move(self.resdir / fdest)
+                    ficsens.rename(self.resdir / fdest)
         else:
             f = open(d / "nr.log")
             msg = f.readlines()
@@ -595,11 +578,11 @@ def canestra(self, opt):
 
         if (d / Path("nr.log")).exists():
             # copy log files
-            fic = Path("nr-" + optname + ".log")
-            (d / "nr.log").move(d / fic)
+            fic = Path("nr-" + opt.stem + ".log")
+            (d / "nr.log").rename(d / fic)
 
         if self.my_dbg:
-            print(">>> caribu.py: Caribu::canestra (%s) finished !" % optname)
+            print(">>> caribu.py: Caribu::canestra (%s) finished !" % opt.stem)
 
 
 def vcaribu(canopy, lightsource, optics, pattern, options):
@@ -623,13 +606,13 @@ def vcaribu(canopy, lightsource, optics, pattern, options):
 
     sim = Caribu(resdir=None, resfile=None)  # no output on disk
     # --canfile
-    sim.scene = canopy
+    sim.scene = None if canopy is None else Path(canopy)
     # --optics
-    sim.opticals = optics
+    sim.opticals = None if optics is None else Path(optics)
     # --skyfile
-    sim.sky = lightsource
+    sim.sky = None if lightsource is None else Path(lightsource)
     # --pattern
-    sim.pattern = pattern
+    sim.pattern = None if pattern is None else Path(pattern)
     # --options (if different from caribu defaults)
     if options is not None:
         # --scatter
@@ -668,9 +651,9 @@ def vperiodise(canopy, pattern):
     """ low level interface to periodise. return modified canopy in can format """
     sim = Caribu(resdir=None, resfile=None)  # no output on disk
     # --canfile
-    sim.scene = canopy
+    sim.scene = None if canopy is None else Path(canopy)
     # --pattern
-    sim.pattern = pattern
+    sim.pattern = None if pattern is None else Path(pattern)
     periodic_scene = sim.run_periodise()
 
     return periodic_scene
diff --git a/src/openalea/caribu/data_samples.py b/src/openalea/caribu/data_samples.py
index ae0ab9a..b763d7e 100644
--- a/src/openalea/caribu/data_samples.py
+++ b/src/openalea/caribu/data_samples.py
@@ -11,19 +11,9 @@
 # ==============================================================================
 """ paths to module data file
 """
-try:
-    from path import Path
-except ImportError:
-    try:
-        from path import path as Path
-    except ImportError:
-        try:
-            from openalea.core.path import path as Path
-        except ImportError:
-            from IPython.external.path import path as Path
+from pathlib import Path
 
 
 def data_path(filename):
-    d = Path(__file__).dirname()
-    fn = 'data/' + filename
-    return d / fn
+    datadir = Path(__file__).parent / 'data'
+    return datadir / filename
diff --git a/test/test_caribu_sensors.py b/test/test_caribu_sensors.py
index 7293380..9133858 100644
--- a/test/test_caribu_sensors.py
+++ b/test/test_caribu_sensors.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import openalea.plantgl.all as pgl
 
-from alinea.caribu.CaribuScene import CaribuScene
-from alinea.caribu.data_samples import data_path
+from openalea.caribu.CaribuScene import CaribuScene
+from openalea.caribu.data_samples import data_path
 
 def create_grid_sensors(dxyz, nxyz) :     
     """creates a grid of virtual sensors in Caribu and PlantGL format