Annot is a village to the south-east of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department, in the Alps of Provence. A small village, Annot is in an enviable location surrounded by steeply sloping wooded hills and scenery and cascading streams and rivers.
The village itself is almost part of the mountain - enormous boulders surround and are part of the village, with houses built against the great sandstone rocks.
Exploring Annot
A popular way to reach the village is on the little train that runs between Digne-les-Bains and Nice. This is a good way to admire the scenery as the train (the 'Train des Pignes') winds between the trees and the rocks to arrive at the village. The Annot train also stops at nearby Entrevaux making for a nice trip with the visits combined.
On reaching Annot, pass through one of the ancient gateways through the ramparts that originally defended Annot to reach the oldest part of the village, a region of attractive narrow streets lined with 14th century medieval houses, arcades and arched passages, and a lovely place to explore.
There are numerous small features waiting to be discovered around every corner, from a small ancient fountain or washouse to intricately carved door lintels. Below the village you can see the old stone bridge across the River Vaire. The church and donjon merit a visit, then finish with a stroll in the shady square in front of the town hall.
Close to Annot be sure to see the Chapel of Vers-la-Ville with the cliffs rising precipitously on either side and the Templar church at the nearby hamlet of Verimande.
The rocks around Annot, known as the 'Grés d'Annot', can be explored on an organised walkway in and around the village called the route of the 'Bedroom of the King'.
To visit near Annot
Nearby you should also visit Castellane, another picturesque village about 18km from Annot. There are also lots of smaller villages hidden in the valleys and cliffs nearby, and a great deal of stunning scenery to enjoy with numerous small lakes, cliffs and rock formations. The area is also very popular with rock-climbers.
You can find more travel ideas in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence guide and the Provence guide.
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Map of Annot and places nearby
Visit near Annot with France This Way reviews
Entrevaux
The narrow medieval streets and the citadel on the hill above the village are among the highlights in Entrevaux
Entrevaux guide
Castellane
The small town of Castellane has a pleasant historic centre and is dominated by the cliff and chapel of the Roc
Castellane guide
Colmars-les-Alpes
In the mountain village of Colmars highlights include the Fort de Savoie and fortified medieval gateways
Colmars-les-Alpes guide
Gorges du Verdon
These gorges in northern Provence are one of the most impressive scenic highlights in France
Gorges du Verdon guide
Bargeme
More than 1000 metres above sea-level, it is no surprise that the views are as much part of the attraction as the historic village in Bargeme
Bargeme guide
Trigance
Trigance is a charming small village and castle to the east of the Gorges du Verdon
Trigance guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
Address: Annot, Castellane, Provence, 4240, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 43.965, longitude 6.6694
Plan your visit to Annot, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Lac de Castillon: site of natural beauty (14 km)
- Barrage de Castillon: site of natural beauty (14 km)
- Barrage de Chaudanne: site of natural beauty (16 km)
- Lac d'Allos: site of natural beauty (30 km)
- Col de la Cayolle: site of natural beauty (33 km)
- Gorges du Verdon: grand site of france (35 km)
- Le Vallon du Brec: remarkable garden (36 km)
- Grottes de Saint-Cezaire: site of natural beauty (36 km)
- Arboretum Marcel Kroenlein: remarkable garden (36 km)
- Seillans: most beautiful village (37 km)
- Gourdon: most beautiful village (37 km)
- Col d'Allos: site of natural beauty (37 km)
Market days in Annot, France
Regular market(s) are held in Annot each Tuesday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)
The French version of this page is at Annot (Francais)