The stunning scenery of the departement of Alpes-de-Haute Provence makes it one of the most visited areas of France. A short drive north of the busy Cote d'Azur, the area is packed with attractions that make great day trips for visitors looking for a break from the beach. Historic towns mixed with beautiful country scenery and a wide range of outdoor activities means there is something for everyone in this southern part of France.
Sometimes nicknamed “France's Grand Canyon”, the Gorges du Verdon is one of the most visited natural attractions in the country. A deep gorge, carved in limestone cliffs by the River Verdon far below, the road that winds its way along the top is always busy with cars and cyclists, no matter what the time of year. There are several places where you can pull over and enjoy the view though, giving the driver a chance to enjoy the scenery too! The Gorges du Verdon is also a great location for enjoying extreme sports like kayaking, white water rafting and there is even a bungee jumping location in the gorge too.
One of the prettiest and most-visited villages in the Alpes-de-Haute Provence region, Castellane is a mountain top settlement, full of winding streets and medieval houses. The village is one of the stopping points on the Napoleon Route, which follows the journey that the Emperor took on his return from the island of Elba. The house on Rue Nationale where Napoleon spent the night is now a museum dedicated to local history. Walkers will enjoy making the extra effort to get to the chapel at the very peak of the village, which is quite a steep 30 minute climb from the main square. The view over the roofs of the village and the surrounding hills and valleys makes the effort worthwhile. As one of the larger towns in the area, Castellane also makes an ideal base for exploring Alpes-de-Haute Provence, as it is also close to all the major outdoor sporting centres.
Despite being close to the summer resorts of the Cote d'Azur, the area of Alpes-de-Haute Provence is also a popular place to visit in the winter. As the name of the departement suggests, the area borders the Alps mountains and is home to several skiing resorts, such as the Espace Lumiere. There are some impressive mountain passes in this part of the region which, while unpassable in the depths of winter, make for pleasant hikes in the summer months. Just make sure you are prepared for all eventualities when it comes to changes in the weather.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Alpes-de-Haute? Then below is a selection of gites in Alpes-de-Haute and villas in Alpes-de-Haute that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
