Alpes de Haute Provence by Virginie Cassab

Centrally located in Provence, the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence offers an authentic, relaxing country Provence experience without the over-touristy feel of other parts of the region. This is the area for painters, writers, nature lovers, food and wine lovers, and outdoor sport adventurers. Within the lavender triangle, from spring to autumn it is a visual symphony of colour, scents of Provence herbs which linger in the air, coupled with gourmet delights that will make your senses tingle.

The Area

The area has a wide variety of landscapes, from the Lure Mountains and valleys in the west with their lavender, wheat and poppy fields, the Gorges du Verdon (featuring Europe's Grand Canyon) to the south with its many beautiful lakes and spectacular scenery, and the Haute Verdon valleys to the north rising up to the alps. Such landscapes provide the backdrop for no less than eleven villages that have been classified as having special architectural character. Famous towns include Sisteron with its ancient citadel and narrow winding streets, Dignes-les-Bains, a famous hot spa town, Banon, world famous for its goats cheese, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie for its pottery and Simane, a world heritage listed village.

 

Markets and Festivals

The markets in the area are just wonderful. Almost everyday there will be a market somewhere, with specialist ones such as antique fairs springing up all the time by little villages. Foucalquier has a spectacular market on Mondays, drawing people from all over Provence. These markets range from the immense to the smaller specialty ones, and the variety, colours and many traditional provincial products will keep you busy all day.

 

Festivals in the area take place almost every other day of the week. You will find festivals on themes such as antiques, crafts, apricots, farm equipment, and fireworks, or those that simply celebrate the village. Of course there are also the many wineries in the area that will help keep the festivities going when you retire to your villa, to enjoy the incredibly clear night sky on a warm summer’s night.

 

Outdoor Activities

For the more energetic, there is an array of activities to suit all ages and athletic levels. Alpes-de-Haute-Provence is famous for its outdoor activities. These include walking, running and biking in the fields and forests, hiking through the mountains on the many official trails, water sports in the Verdon lakes including hire of canoes, kayaks, windsurfers and paddle boats, horse riding in the valleys and mountains, tennis, skiing and other snow sports (in winter months) and petanque in most village squares. The more adventurous can enjoy mountain biking, rock climbing, quad biking, hang gliding, and mountaineering.

 

If you wish to venture around Provence, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence is the perfect staging point. Geographically in the centre of Provence, you benefit from easy access to the magnificent Gorges du Verdon, bordering it to the south, followed by the Var and the French Riveria, the Vaucluse to the west with the Luberon national park, and the Alpes-Maritimes to the east with the Mercantour national park, thence Italy.

 

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