Stay “Art of Living and Culture” in Provence Verte & Verdon
Verdon Stay “Art of Living and Culture” in Provence Verte
Our selection of cultural and tourist activities around the campsite La Verdière ** for authentic holidays in the Verdon!
SUNDAY: THE FAMOUS ROUTE OF THE CRÊTES AND MOUSTIER SAINTE MARIE
The good idea is to leave early in the morning to fully enjoy the beautiful roads of Provence Verte & Verdon and this vertiginous loop of 23 km from La Paluds sur Verdon. On the Route des Crêtes, one way, nature is queen. You will overlook the famous Canyon du Verdon and discover unique views throughout the course on the many lookouts. Breathtaking landscapes and all the majesty of nature are available to you, where flora and fauna are in the spotlight … including the broom of the golden eagles and vultures that hover over the canyon!
After the vertiginous emotions of the Route des Crêtes and before returning to the campsite, the essential step to discover one of the most beautiful villages in France, nestled between two cliffs, Moustier Sainte Marie.
You can visit this little nativity village, its narrow streets, shaded squares of olive trees, small shops and local artisans, the view from the top of the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption … simply superb! With its many workshops and shops faience, Moustier remains a center of French manufacture of international fame by the delicacy of its faience and its unique and recognizable decorations.
https://www.lapalud-verdontourisme.com/je-decouvre-tout-un-pays/bestof-verdon/la-route-des-cretes/
https://www.moustiers.fr/fr/blog/2019/01/07/venir-flaner-moustiers-sainte-marie
MONDAY: THE VALENSOLE TRAY, ITS FIELDS OF LAVENDER, AND GRÉOUX LES BAINS
The Valensole plateau is the kingdom of lavender and lavandin, with its fields as far as the eye can see, the colors and scents are striking! From June to mid-August, the whole plateau is tinged with the famous “lavender blue”. You can enjoy the diversity of landscapes: meadows, scrubland, maquis, woods and oak and pine forests … You can make a stop in the beautiful village of Riez, city of character, along the Plateau. It is one of the oldest cities of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence (with a date of foundation located at the end of the 1st century). You can discover some discreet vestiges of the Roman period, but also of the medieval and Renaissance time. You will enjoy visiting the old town, the Sainte-Maxime church classified historic monument, the hotel de Mazan
You can continue south of the plateau to the small spa town of Gréoux-les-Bains which is characterized by its clame and sweetness of life. You can walk there for a stroll “over the water” to discover the wash houses of the city, made of stone and testifying to the time when women used to wash their clothes. A veritable haven of greenery, the refreshment continues with the sandstone of a stroll in the three shaded parks: the walk over the water ends at the edge of the Verdon, where the river has given way to a beautiful green space. In the summer season as in the spring, you can enjoy the 3 shaded Gréoulx parks, remarkably wooded and flowery to discover: Oliva, Thermal and Morelon.
TUESDAY: COTIGNAC MARKET AND ART OF FAÏENCE ON VARAGES
On Tuesday morning, all your senses will awaken on the inevitable and delicious market of Cotignac. In keeping with the tradition of the Provence markets, the Cotignac market offers a whole range of quality local and craft products. In the shade of plane trees, you can wander among the flavors and scents of Provence for the feast of your eyes … and your taste buds!
At the foot of a cliff of tufa, push further the discovery of this sublime village, and its rock against a background of blue sky. In a typical Provencal style, the architecture is neat and the maze of alleys impregnated with the sweetness of life in Provence. At the same cliff, discover the troglodyte dwellings and their particular charm. From the top of the rock, it is a magnificent panorama which is offered to you on the hills in restanques: olive trees, cypresses, pines, oaks and other Mediterranean vegetation. 10 minutes from the
campsite, do not miss the museum of earthenware in the pretty village of Varages. You will discover, during a guided tour, with love and passion for this age-old art, many pieces and their history. Beyond the techniques, it is an entire artistic, cultural and historical heritage that earthenware reveals to us. The museum also offers modeling workshops open to all from April to September!
In Varages, 3 earthenware plants continue, notably La Faïencerie de Varages, whose creations are exported all over the world, combining modernity and tradition. The Faïencerie de Varages opens the doors of its workshop with its production tools, materials, colors … and its factory store to embellish your tables the art of ceramics in Provence!
https://www.musee-faience-varages.fr/
WEDNESDAY: THE SECRET OF TOMMETTES IN SALERNES AND VISIT OF BARJOLS: ITS 18 FOUNTAINS AND ITS VALLON DES CARMES
The surprising architectural ensemble Terra Rossa was created by Michel Wilmotte, from an old tiling factory. You will discover 3000 m2 of permanent and temporary exhibitions thanks to which the art and manufacture of the famous tommettes will have no secrets for you. The Archeology area will show you some of the oldest ceramics in Europe (7000 years old), discovered in Salernes. The exhibition “Industrial and craft memory” will present the production lines of reconstituted tiles as they were at the beginning of the 20th century. And An exceptional collection “Le Monde Carré” gathered by Benoît Faÿvous will discover more than 2000 tiles decorated from the Middle Ages to the twentieth century. Manufacturers and local potters also exhibit their productions. It’s all a part of the history, art and culture of Provence that is offered to you.
Wine and Provencal interlude: After the visit of terra Rossa, a small detour to Cotignac for a visit of the cellars and a colorful tasting at Château Nestuby. The owners of the estate welcome you and present you the Art of making the coasts of Provence … On the way back to the campsite, stop at Barjols! Stroll through the village of Barjols as you discover its 18 fountains, and enjoy the shady sweetness of the “Vallon des Carmes” path. This very accessible and shaded walk along the river, is embellished with beautiful small natural pools, to lead to the troglodyte chapel, a remnant of a convent of the seventeenth century.
https://www.terrarossasalernes.fr/histoire/
https://www.barjols.fr/spip.php?rubrique86
https://www.nestuby.com/domaine-viticole.php
THURSDAY: MARKET AND HOUSE OF THE TRUFFLE IN AUPS THEN SAINT MARTIN OF PALLIÈRES, CHARMING AND UNUSUAL VILLAGE
Thursday is the day of the famous truffle market in Aups, village of character and soil, located 20km from La Verdière. The House of the Truffle, offers you to discover the bottom of the “black diamond”. For the gourmets, amateurs or simple curious different animations around the Truffle are declined in the underground and mysterious atmosphere of the black diamond of Aups. You will be able to discover 4 universes of experiences with enriching atmospheres and destinations
10 minutes from the campsite, discover the charming little village of Saint Martin de Pallières, classified “village of character”, narrow streets, stone walls and shady squares. The village is dominated by its imposing castle of the XIIIth century in the extension of which you will discover its magnificent Park. It also houses its unusual “Underground Cathedral”, the largest cistern in Europe at the time of its construction and architectural curiosity.
In simplicity and conviviality, the owners of the Château and the underground cathedral open their doors to you for a fresh and surprising visit, and give you their story, their anecdotes and their secrets … You will be able to prolong the pleasure of the big spaces and of Provence by strolling in the Park of the Castle or, for the most courageous, by taking the road of the ridges which plunges you in the heart of Green Provence on 6 km of paths.
The small + gastronomic: To restore you on the spot, do not hesitate to push the door of the “Cercle du progrès”, labeled “Bistrot de Pays”!
https://maisondelatruffe-verdon.fr/aventure-de-truffe/
https://www.cathedralesouterraine.com/
https://www.bistrotdepays.com/le-cercle-du-progres
FRIDAY: SAINT MAXIMIN HOLY BEAUME, HIS BASILICA AND THE VERY LOCAL “VERY LOCAL” PRODUCERS OF THE VERDIÈRE
Full of character and steeped in history, Saint Maximin is an important place of pilgrimage. You will discover its traditional medieval houses with arcades and, dominating the city, the Basilica Sainte Marie Madeleine, the largest gothic building of Provence. You can stroll through the city in the shade of its narrow streets, at the mercy of small shops and take the time to sit, quench your thirst, restore yourself on the terrace …
Back in La Verdière, you can visit “Lou Redoun” the village oil mill. Welcomed by young passionate owners, you can visit this small organic family farm and discover local quality products and the diversity of their activities: market, transhumance, production of lavender, wine and olive growing.
The cooperative cellar of St Julien also opens its doors to you to taste various small rosés of the vintage … 200 meters from the campsite, the cellar Louis Latour brings its local and original touch with a pinot noir, Burgundy grape varieties planted between La Verdière and Varages for more than 20 years. To enjoy your stay in the Gorges du Verdon, book your accommodation or camping tent, caravan or camper at the campsite La Verdière
