Discover the more far-flung destinations of Provence

Today the region of Provence includes Var, Bouches-du-Rhone, Alpes-Maritimes beautiful departments on the sea with eminent historical cities like Nice, Marseille and Aix-en Provence which have pages dedicated to their charms on different pages in the site. The other departments, the Vaucluse, and above all Hautes-Alpes & Alpes-de-Haut-Provence are more rural, relying on agriculture (lavender, vineyards, fruit orchards and sheep-raising. In whatever department one chooses the combination of sunny days, beautiful nature and a rich history and culture is irresistible and tourists continue to flock to the region year-round.

A few of the more far-flung destinations include La Camargue on the sea and le Pays Manosquin

Discover La Camargue

Discover Manosque et le Pays Manosquin

  Dès qu’on le voit, quand on a le goût du silence et de la paix, on sait qu’ici on va trouver son repos. Jean Giono

 This is a region of beauty year-round, as the surrounding snowy peaks of the Alps give way to the almond trees in blossom in March; as the lavender asserts itself in June blending with golden wheat in July; and finally as the ochre of the ploughed earth as winter arrives once again. The pays manosquin is home to remarkable natural reserves:  

 -the Parc Naturel du Luberon, situated at the heart of the region Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur, a UNESCO protected environment of 185,000 hectares stretching over 60 kilomètres across the Vaucluse and the Alpes de Haute-Provence;  

-Parc Naturel Régional du Verdon which straddles the Var and the Alpes de Haute-Provence. The Gorges du Verdon are considered as the Grand Canyon of Provence with the Verdon river flowing through steep cliffs.  The panoramic views can be viewed from la Route des Crètes ou le Point Sublimeor for the more courageous the gorge can crossed on foot or on water.  

-Le plateau de Valensole, célèbre pour ses lavandes et son lavandin, mesure près 800 000 km². 

 The pays manosquin is equally home to picturesque villages and towns with cobblestone streets which transport you to times past, the bell-towers and stone archictecture as testament to the rich medieval history.  From the café terraces, shaded by les marronniers et les tilleuls, you can glimpse the traditional lifestyle of Provence on the terrains de pétanques.  

 Manosque, the city of Jean Giono opens the doors to the region: to  Pierrevert, regional capital of viniculture; to Oraison, the almond capital; to Forcalquier, and perched villages each with its own historical significance.  

 Jean Giono lived and wrote in Manosque surrounded by his wife and daughters.  His home, Le Paraïs and his garden, with a view of the Tour du Mont d’Or can be visited in Manosque, or you follow his foot-steps to Gréoux-les-Bains « l’oasis romantique du Verdon » or to  Forcalquier, where he wrote,  Un roi sans divertissement.

 In addition to the daily program of theatre, cinema and other spectacles in Manosque, year long there are annual cultural events to celebrate: 

- le literary festival Les Correspondances in September in Manosque 

- Les Nuits Photographiquesin Pierrevert in July

- La Journée Internationale du Rosé, on the  4thFriday in June 

- La Journee des Amandes, celebrated the  2ndSunday in October in Oraison.