Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France travel guide
The Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department of France is the central-northern part of Provence.
The department has a great deal of natural beauty, and tourism is now the largest industry in the department.
Perhaps the best known 'attraction' or natural highlight in the region is the Gorges du Verdon - the Gorges du Verdon is a dramatic gorge (accessed by way of Castellane) that cuts through the centre of the region, and in addition to the stunning scenery it is also good place a perfect place to discover the wildlife of the region.
The scenery of course is the real highlight of this part of Provence - and outdoor sports such as hiking or cycling are the best way to enjoy it if possible. Some of the other outdoor sports practiced here include rockclimbing, rafting, horse-riding and paragliding.
National and Natural Regional Parks
There are parts of three different Parks within the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department:
Verdon Regional Natural Park - to the south and around Moustiers, Castellane and the Gorges du Verdon. See Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon for the views across the very large Lac de Sainte-Croix.
National Park of Mercantour in the north-east of the department. See Barcelonnette, and the cols of Cayolle and d'Allos for a sample of the spectacular scenery.
Luberon Regional Natural Park - to the south-west of the department around Manosque. A few of the villages to visit here include Dauphin, Montfuron, Opedette, Pierrevert, Reillanne, Saint-Maime, Saint-Michel-de-l'Observatoire, Saint Tulle and Volx.
(Note: many of the more 'famous' Luberon villages are east across the border into theVaucluse department).
Other places to visit in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
There are numerous small towns and villages to discover as you travel around the department. These include:
- the citadel town of Sisteron
- the village of Annot, with strangely placed rocks all over the village
- the village at Entrevaux
- the classified beautiful village of Moustiers
- the hilltop village at Forcalquier, to the south
Villages in bloom and villages of character
There are a total of twelve villages that are listed ad 'villages of character' in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department. These villages are considered to be of particular interest both for their natural setting and for their local architecture, that also focus on providing facilities for tourism.
Those listed are: Annot, Castellane, Colmars-les-Alpes, Cruis, Dauphin, Entrevaux, Lurs, Mane, Riez, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, Seyne-les-Alpes and Simiane-la-Rotonde.
Four villages and towns have qualified for 3* in the 'ville fleuri' listings: Digne-les-Bains, Larche, Moustiers and Sisteron.
Visit Alpes-de-Haute-Provence - tourist information
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