Alpes-de-Haute-Provence travel guide

Gorges du Verdon and the south-east

Visits to this area usually centre around the Verdon Regional Natural Park. This Park is in the region around Moustiers and Castellane and of course includes the Gorges du Verdon.

The Gorges du Verdon themselves are dramatic deep gorges usually accessed via the pleasant town of Castellane. The gorges are an area of exceptional natural beauty, one of the most outstanding in France: see Gorges du Verdon for details.

Many visitors to the gorges also spend some time at the very large Lac de Sainte-Croix, a popular leisure lake nearby. Some good views across the lake are to be seen from Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon.

North of the lake you can visit Moustiers, an attractive village situated below a great cliff, that is classified as one of the 'most beautiful villages in France'.

Further to the east the village of Annot is built around enormous boulders and very interesting to see, and the medieval village of Entrevaux is nearby and beautifully situated above a bend in the Var river. We also suggest that you spend a morning exploring the cluster of villages to the north of Annot that includes Braux, Méailles and Le Fugeret.

South-west Alpes-de-Haute-Provence

The Luberon Regional Natural Park is situated to the south-west of the department. Although many of the most 'famous' Luberon villages fall within the Vaucluse department (see Luberon) the park also extends into the south-western of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.

Among the many picturesque small villages that you will discover in this area are Dauphin, Montfuron, Oppedette (visited for the Gorges d'Oppedette next to the village) Pierrevert, Reillanne, Saint-Maime, Saint-Michel-de-l'Observatoire, Saint Tulle and Volx.

Most of these are individually small and don't take long to explore, but have a charming historic centre, often set around a church or ruins of a medieval castle, and are surrounded by lovely scenery.

The village of Simiane-la-Rotonde, a short distance north of Oppedette, is well known for the lavender fields across the plateau that surrounds the village and its unusual rotunda.

Elsewhere in the south-west of the department there is also a lot to enjoy. There are less visitors here than further west or south in Provence and the towns are typically pleasant, traditional Provencal towns with ancient houses, narrow streets to explore and small cafes in shady squares where you can find shelter from the heat but without the excessive number of tourists.

Start perhaps with a visit to the historic centre of Manosque, one of the most important towns in the region and with several interesting monuments to see.

The nearby village at Valensole is also surrounded by lavender fields and in a lovely position on a raised rocky ledge, and we also recommend you visit Greoux-les-Bains; a small spa town with the remains of a templar castle. Slightly further to the east are the village and Roman temple remains at Riez

If you travel towards the north from Manosque, particular highlights include the hilltop village at Forcalquier, the views from the nearby village of Lurs, the citadel at Mane and the village of Dauphin that also has lovely views.

Northern Alpes-de-Haute-Provence

Part of the National Park of Mercantour is in the north-east of the department (and in the adjacent Alpes-Maritimes department).

Among the many scenic highlights we suggest you visit Barcelonnette, and also the cols of Cayolle and d'Allos for a sample of the spectacular scenery. A tour along the spectacular Ubaye Valley is also highly recommended. See Mercantour National Park for details.

To the north-east of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence near Barcelonnette you can visit the medieval fortified villages such as those at Colmars-les-Alpes and Seyne-les-Alpes, dominated by the Vauban fort.

To the north-west of the department we suggest a visit to the citadel town of Sisteron, and we also recommend a visit to the nearby village of Entrepierres.

In the centre of the department the thermal spa town at Digne-les-Bains is popular, and while here you can explore the nearby village at Thoard.