The Alpes-de-Haute-Provence is a harmonious blend of Alpine mountain majesty and Provencal gentleness. Here, soaring peaks rub shoulders with lavender fields, creating a landscape where mountains and fragrant garrigue complement each other to perfection. This department, with its exceptional natural and architectural heritage, is an invitation to discover and marvel. From the Gorges du Verdon to the Lac de Serre-Ponçon, via the citadel of Sisteron and the ancient county town of Forcalquier, the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence is a veritable treasure trove for nature, culture and gastronomy enthusiasts. In this article, we invite you to discover the 17 must-sees in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, for an unforgettable experience in the heart of alpine Provence.
1. Manosque, the land of Jean Giono
Manosque, a small town at the tip of the Lubéron, is inextricably linked with the figure of Jean Giono, the illustrious writer born in 1895. The son of a shoemaker, Giono captured the essence of this town better than anyone else, where, in his words, "the streets ran between the farms stuck together". Once a medieval town protected by ramparts and a ruined tower, the Tour du Mont d'Or, offering a 360° panorama, Manosque is no longer solely focused on its flourishing agricultural past. Today, the town attracts many tourists, seduced by its friendly atmosphere and rich architectural heritage, even though the medieval ramparts have disappeared. A dynamic, lively and peaceful town, with its many fountains, squares and beautiful plane trees.
Read the article: Lavender Routes in Provence: the best tours
2. Digne-Les-Bains, the capital of lavender
Located on the edge of the Digne Pre-Alps, this town is filled with the scent of lavender, an emblematic local crop. Every first weekend in August, the town celebrates this iconic flower with the Corso de la lavande, a not-to-be-missed event. A local museum traces the history of lavender in the Dignois region from 1900 to the present day. Must-see sites in Digne-Les-Bains include the Musée Gassendi, the Musée-Promenade, and the Maison de l'écrivaine Alexandra David-Néel. Don't miss Andy Goldsworthy's art refuges, which combine contemporary art and rural heritage within the UNESCO Geopark, or the Clues de Barles and its grandiose landscapes. Last but not least, the charming "petit train des Pignes", with its narrow gauge and steep mountain passes, provides a daily service to Nice.
3. Moustiers-Sainte-Marie: one of France's most beautiful villages
Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is one of France's most beautiful villages. Nestled between two rocky escarpments, this picturesque village immediately catches the eye with its hanging star. According to Frédéric Mistral, this star was hung by a crusader knight, captured by the Saracens, who promised to hang a star in homage to Marie if he managed to return to the village. Don 't miss the parish church with its 12th-century Lombard bell tower, the Notre-Dame-de-Beauvoir chapel and the ramparts. You'll also discover that Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is a renowned center for earthenware.
4. The Gorges du Verdon: dreamy landscapes and charming villages
The Gorges du Verdon marvel at their breathtaking scenery, both sublime and exotic. Located on the border between Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Var, they are home to several crystal-clear gorges, making this a paradise for nature lovers and outdoor sports enthusiasts alike. This immense canyon, which stretches across the Var and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence départements, is the result of erosion by the Verdon river, and features impressive limestone cliffs. In the heart of protected natural areas, rich in flora and fauna, the panoramas are simply breathtaking. The Provencal villages, perched on the edge of the faults, seem to stand guard like sentinels.
The article to read: What to see, what to do in the Gorges du Verdon? Top 13 activities and visits
Did you know? The Gorges du Verdon are one of the 10 most beautiful places to visit in France in spring.
5. Pra-Loup: THE star resort of the Southern Alps
Friendly and pleasant, Pra-Loup is the flagship resort of the Southern Alps. Its exceptional sunshine and the beauty of its natural setting are major factors in its success. Today, Pra-Loup ranks as France's twelfth-largest resort in terms of skiable area, linked to that of La Foux-d'Allos via Les Agneliers. The resort boasts some 50 lifts, including 4 gondolas, and 80 runs, including a mauve Milka-labeled piste. It is also home to the famous Rider Space, a 40-hectare area dedicated to extreme sports. Pra-Loup makes a point of offering a family-friendly atmosphere, with activities for all ages, including a tobogganing area and entertainment for children, guaranteeing a pleasant vacation for the whole family in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.
The article to read: Top 15 family ski resorts to ski with children
6. Ganagobie, a must-see site
Ganagobie has been a must-see since time immemorial. Probably used since prehistoric times, the site also preserves vestiges from Roman times. Situated halfway between the Durance River and the Ganagobie plateau, the village is surrounded byan exceptional national forest. From the village, follow the path to the plateau, where you'll find a monastery run by Benedictine monks, one of the best places for a spiritual retreat in France. Once there, it's hard to miss the church porch and its magnificent tympanum. Continuing your walk on the plateau, you'll discover the ruins of Villevieille, probably dating from the 17th century.
Did you know? Located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence region, Le Poil is one of our Top 15 ghost villages in France. If you're looking for a place where time seems to stand still, this is a stopover not to be missed.
7. Lac de Serre-Ponçon: France's most awarded lake
As well as visiting the dam on Lac de Serre-Ponçon, France's first large man-made lake, you can enjoy a multitude of leisure activities thanks to the lake's pristine waters, which are ideal for all kinds of water sports. The lake is also a major tourist attraction, with 8 public beaches with the Pavillon Bleu label, equipped and supervised for bathing in summer.
Around the lake, many remarkable sites are worth a visit, linking the Hautes-Alpes and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence regions: the coiffed demoiselles, Boscodon Abbey, the town of Embrun, the Parc National des Écrins and numerous panoramic views to discover with the whole family. The Aiguilles de Chabrières, accessible from the Réallon ski resort, are a must-see among the natural lookouts offering breathtaking views over this fantastic lake. The sunset over the lake promises magical moments.
Read more: What to do in the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur region? The 21 most beautiful places to visit
8. Sisteron: a truly idyllic setting
Between its religious heritage, its castles and its military architecture, Sisteron shines particularly brightly every year during the Nuits de la Citadelle, a festival that has been combining theater, dance and music for 50 years. One of the town's distinctive features is its many narrow, stepped streets, known as andrones, which add to its charm. For enthusiasts, the Terre et Temps municipal museum, housed in a restored 17th-century chapel belonging to the Visitandines, features rare and unusual objects such as a water clock with automata, a Foucault pendulum and sundials. The museum is open to visitors from April to September.
While walking in the area, don't forget to venture into the Jabron valley. You can even continue on to Les Omergues to enjoy its wild, unspoilt environment. A magnificent little valley that has retained all the charm of yesteryear!
Read the article: The 15 most beautiful villages in the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur region
9. Travel back in time to Gréoux-les-Bains!
Gréoux-les-Bains is both a spa and a village of character. It's impossible to miss the magnificent château overlooking the village. Built in the 12th century by the Knights Templar, it was later sold to the Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem, before changing hands several times before being classified as a historic monument in 1840. In summer, theatrical tours of the castle reveal its rich and fascinating history. As you stroll through the old streets, you'll discover chapels, ramparts, a beautiful church with its campanile, washhouses and, of course, the famous troglodytic thermal baths. A real invitation to travel back in time!
Related article: The 15 most beautiful Cathar castles to visit in Occitania
10. Entrevaux and its impressive remains of military art
Entrevaux, a former fortified town designed by Vauban, has managed to preserve its authenticity, earning it the label of one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in France". Entrevaux is home to impressive vestiges of ancient military art : a fortified bridge, ramparts and an eagle's nest citadel, unchanged since Colbert's time. Access to the town is still via one of its three drawbridge gates. You'll enjoy wandering through its winding streets, following in the footsteps of its history to admire its barracks, medieval stalls, narrow 17th- and 18th-century houses, as well as its watchtowers, loopholes and bridges. Don't miss a climb up to the perched Citadelle for an exceptional view at the entrance to the red gorges.
Good to know: Entrevaux is also renowned for its culinary specialty, secca, a thin slice of beef jerky to be enjoyed with a drizzle of olive oil and lemon, a dish reminiscent of Italian carpaccio, a legacy from the days when Savoie was not yet French.
11. The ancient county town of Forcalquier
Nicknamed the "city of four queens", Forcalquier majestically dominates the landscape. It preserves the traditions ofan authentic culture in a landscape of sublime harmony. In the early Middle Ages, some believe the town was called Font Calquier, meaning "the fountain of the rock" in Occitan, while others believe it was called Four Cauquié, meaning "the lime kiln" in Mistralian. It's true that a spring, now almost dried up, once flowed beneath the citadel's rocks. Not to be missed are the Notre-Dame du Bourget cathedral, the Cordeliers convent and the Notre-Dame de Provence chapel.
12. Quinson, for lovers of grandiose landscapes
Since time immemorial, Quinson has been a magnet for both landscape lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. The village offers a multitude of activities, from water sports to hiking and climbing on its magnificent surrounding sites. Located at the gateway to the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department, Quinson forms the link between the Valensole plateau and the Haut-Var. Come and explore its rich past, its ramparts, its superb prehistory museum, and the fountains that adorn the village squares and streets. An ideal destination for a vacation this summer!
Read more: Top 11 hikes in Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur and 10 activities to try out on vacation for the more or less sporty.
13. Skiing at Sauze-Super-Sauze
Le Sauze is one of the oldest resorts in the Southern Alps, founded in 1934 by two brothers and supplemented in the 1970s by Super-Sauze. Today, it is one of the region's most popular summer-winter resorts. Its proximity to Barcelonnette and its ski area, made up of numerous valleys, offer both gentle and technical skiing on its 65 km of sunny slopes, stretching from 1,400 to 2,450 meters above sea level. Less busy than the big resorts, Le Sauze has many assets and an undeniable charm, thanks in particular to its many snowshoe walks. In summer, hiking and biking take over, offering a multitude of outdoor activities.
Read more: Where to ski with the family at low cost in the Alps? 15 resort ideas
14. Simiane-La-Rotonde and its incredible Rotonde
This small medieval town invites you to discover its jewel: the incredible Rotonde, a large 12th-century hall located in the heart of the feudal castle. It's impossible to miss the medieval castle of the Agoult-Simiane family, which served as the basis for the construction of the village of Simiane, whose name derives both from its occupants and the famous rotunda. Reaching a height of 19 metres, this magnificent example of Romanesque architecture is topped by an impressive ribbed dome almost 10 metres high. Perched high above the village, the castle overlooks the entire valley and the surrounding lavender fields.
15. Barcelonnette: the most Mexican of French towns
Located along the Route des Grandes Alpes, at the foot of the Ubaye resorts, Barcelonnette exudes a mountain character with its narrow streets and snowfall warnings. Despite its Alpine setting, Barcelonnette is distinguished by its openness to the world, thanks in particular to its Mexican episode. In the 19th century, the migration of Barcelonnette's inhabitants to Mexico forged an undeniable cultural and historical connection. The most tangible symbols of this period are the so-called "Mexican" villas that line this small mountain village. There are around 80 of them in the Ubaye valley. These opulent, imposing residences were built by local children who had returned from Mexico to make their fortunes.
16. La Foux-D'Allos: a magnificent ski resort
Val d'Allos 1800, often called La Foux d'Allos by its regulars, is a magnificent ski resort in winter and mountain resort in summer. Bathed in sunshine and light all year round, it offers the pleasure of wide-open spaces and unspoilt nature, with craggy peaks as far as the eye can see. You're in the heart of one of the most beautiful and largest ski areas in the Southern Alps. In fact, the Val d'Allos ski area is linked to the Pra-Loup ski resort in the Ubaye valley, together forming the well-deserved Espace Lumière!
Did you know? Lac d'Allos is one of the most beautiful lakes in France, and one of the most unusual places to discover in France.
Read more: Where to go on vacation in the mountains? The best destinations and 10 mountain destinations for a summer in the fresh air.
17. Sainte-Croix-Du-Verdon
Historically, the village of Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon was founded at a crossing point of the Verdon River. However, its destiny really changed in 1973, with the impoundment of the lake that bears its name. Once isolated on its rocky promontory, the village has since seen tourism take over from other activities. Largely restored in the Provencal tradition, this charming hillside village is now a relatively busy resort, offering mainly water sports activities. The panoramic view of the lake from the village is simply sublime and well worth the detour.
Did you enjoy this article? See also our article What to do and see in the Alpes-Maritimes? The 19 must-sees.
