Famous all over the world for its faience earthenware, the village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, one of France's "Most Beautiful Villages", forms a remarkable group of buildings. Typically Provençal and looking rather like a nativity scene with the big gold star hanging above it, the village is full of charm with narrow streets and little squares to wander through, refreshing fountains, faience workshops and boutiques, and smartly-fronted houses dominated by the imposing Lombard Romanesque bell tower of Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption church.

Ceramics fans should make a point of visiting the faience museum for its fantastic collection of fine glazed earthenware dating from the 17th century to today produced by master potters from Moustiers.

Above the village, built into the high limestone cliffs, stands Notre-Dame-de-Beauvoir chapel. This beautiful Romanesque-Gothic building is only accessible on foot and takes 20 minutes to reach via a steep footpath consisting of 262 stone steps and lined with stations of the cross. At the top, walkers are rewarded with a fantastic view over the village rooftops, the Maire valley and Valensole plateau.

Moustiers faience earthenware, a tradition spanning centuries, is made in the charming Provençal village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. It became famous all over the world thanks to its fine glazed earthenware produced in the 17th and 18th centuries. Recognisable by its distinctive floral designs, the craft is perpetuated today by a number of workshops in the village.

Worth a visit: the faience museum in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, which contains remarkable pieces produced by 17th- and 18th-century master potters.

A protected territory straddling the departments of Var and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, the Verdon Regional Nature Park is full of natural treasures and its architectural heritage will delight lovers of old buildings. The landscapes are very diverse, ranging from limestone plateaux and steep cliffs to lakes and oak and pine forests.

The park offers a series of amazing sites such as the superb Verdon Gorges or the Valensole Plateau, with its lavender fields stretching as far as the eye can see. Not forgetting the lakes of Sainte-Croix and Castillon, places of incomparable beauty where the turquoise blue waters are a magnet for visitors. You can swim, take a pedalo ride, and go kayaking or stand up paddleboarding!

A wide range of animals and plants live in this generous natural environment, particularly eagles, bats, chamois and roe deer. But there are also rare species such as the shrike, griffon vulture and white-clawed crayfish. The lakes and rivers of the park abound with trout and pike, a fisherman's delight.

With such landscapes, this nature-lovers' destination is also a marvellous playground for outdoor activities. White-water sports, rock climbing, mountain biking, paragliding... there are so many options! It's worth noting that the Verdon Regional Nature Park contains nearly 1,000 kilometres of marked paths. A boon for hikers!

The park is also dotted with charming villages full of interesting heritage. One of them, Trigance, is perched on a hill and has old houses, picturesque little streets and a medieval castle. Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, nestling at the foot of two rocky peaks, is famous for its faience pottery. Near this beautiful village, at the heart of the Valx estate, is the Verdon Park Visitor Centre, where you will find all the information you need to explore the area. Castellane is another unmissable village. Dating from the Middle Ages, the remains of the ramparts and Chapel of Our Lady of the Rock, perched on top of an imposing cliff, always impress visitors. Castellane is also the starting point for a number of hikes. As for Bauduen, with its narrow streets and old stone houses, it has the privilege of offering a beautiful view of Lake Sainte-Croix!

Located in Verdon Regional Nature Park (Parc Naturel Régional du Verdon), on Valensole plateau, the pretty little town of Riez has preserved much heritage from its rich past in its historic centre: the remains of a Roman temple and an early Christian baptistery, fortified gateways, ramparts, a clock tower and many old houses, including the Hôtel de Mazan, a Renaissance mansion. Riez is also home to a number of boutiques selling arts and crafts, and local produce.

Every July, a colourful and action-packed two-day Renaissance festival takes place with processions in traditional costumes, Renaissance dancing, a local produce market, a ball and many shows.

Covering 2,200 hectares, Lake Sainte-Croix in Var is the largest lake in Verdon. This immense reservoir was created in 1973, following the construction of a dam on the course of the Verdon, and is now a major resort in the region. In addition, the magnificent colour of the water, varying from turquoise to emerald, always makes an impression…

With its many landscaped beaches, the lake is an ideal place to unwind, swim and enjoy water sports. With windsurfing, pedal-boats, canoe-kayaks, catamaran, stand up paddle and electric boats, you will be spoilt for choice. If you're looking for a more peaceful experience, the lake has less busy areas too, hidden behind the pines and oaks.

Take the time to stroll along the paths around the lake and breathe in the scents of Provence. Nearby are some villages that are well worth a visit, like Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. Nestling between two cliffs, it invites visitors to discover the talent of its faience-makers.

Located in the heart of Provence, in Verdon Regional Nature Park (Parc Naturel Régional du Verdon), the Château d'Allemagne-en-Provence is both medieval and Renaissance in style, with an imposing 12th-century crenellated tower and elegant façades with mullioned windows. Inside, visitors will discover a beautiful spiral staircase connecting the tower to the Renaissance section, and a splendid monumental fireplace with decorative plasterwork.

Located in Verdon Regional Nature Park (Parc Naturel Régional du Verdon), on Valensole plateau, the Provençal village of Saint-Martin-de-Brômes forms a beautiful picture with its old houses nestled around the foot of the clock tower – a 14th-century keep now housing a Gallo-Romanesque museum. Next to the tower stands the Romanesque Saint-Martin church dating from the 12th century. Below, walkers will find narrow streets and little squares full of charm.

Valensole plateau is situated at an altitude of 500 metres in the south of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, near Digne-les-Bains and the Verdon gorges, and covers an area of 800 km². Fields of lavender, the famous Provençal scented plant, abound here, alongside wheat fields and a host of charming villages such as Saint-Martin-de-Brômes, Riez and Esparron-de-Verdon.

The best time for lovers of typical Provençal landscapes to visit is June and July, when Valensole plateau is awash with beautiful blue lavender in bloom. It's a sight – and scent – to behold!

Foodies should head to the village of Valensole, famous for its subtle- and delicate-tasting lavender honey, to treat their taste buds!

Several lavender-related festivities are organised in the area: the Fête de la Lavande in Valensole in July, and the Corso de la Lavande and Foire de la Lavande in Digne-les-Bains in August.

Described by the writer Jean Giono as "Verdon's romantic oasis", the pleasant spa and health resort of Gréoux-les-Bains, situated in Verdon Regional Nature Park (Parc Naturel Régional du Verdon), is famous for the beneficial, healing properties of its water. The Thermes Troglodytes thermal baths, located next to a large shady park, offers medical treatments, as well as fitness and relaxation programmes.

But Gréoux-les-Bains is also a picturesque old village dominated by the imposing Château des Templars where regular art exhibitions and, in summer, shows are put on.

A natural border between the Var and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence departments, the Verdon Gorges are located between Castellane and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, and form an exceptional natural site with contrasting landscapes. The River Verdon, with its bewitching colours, has shaped this site for thousands of years. Today, the gorges form an impressive canyon, the biggest in Europe, where the limestone cliffs reach heights of up to 700 metres. A real paradise for climbers, who have hundreds of climbing routes to enjoy!

Discover the wild and unspoilt landscapes of the lower gorges and listen out for the calls of the famous birds of prey that have made the gorges their home: griffon vultures and cinereous vultures. Why not try and get closer to them by trying your hand at paragliding? A sensational and awe-inspiring experience lies in store.

As you can see, the Verdon Gorges are ideal for enjoying many activities. Hikers can choose between several marked paths like the Blanc-Martel path, leading to the heart of the gorges and the foot of the cliffs. Unmissable! White-water sports enthusiasts will also be kept busy: with rafting, canyoning, kayaking and canoeing to choose from, you will have a great time trying to tame the currents. Thrill-seekers should head for the impressive Artuby Bridge, where you can go bungee jumping.

Dotted with a number of viewpoints like the Mescla Balconies or Point Sublime, the scenic gorges route offers a pleasant drive through beautiful landscapes. You can also leave the car at home and travel by electric bike along the ridge road starting from La Palud-sur-Verdon, which offers superb views.

The surrounding area has several lakes which are nice for a swim, pedalo ride or picnic, such as Sainte-Croix and Esparron.

Twenty or so miles west of Draguignan, the community of Salernes has a wonderful ceramics museum. Based in an old tile factory, it tells the story of the ceramics trade and particularly the manufacturing of the famous hexagonal tiles named tomettes, made right here in Salernes. These terracotta tiles are typically used on the floors of houses in Provence.

Through its permanent exhibitions, the museum invites you to discover an incredible collection of over 2,000 tiles dating from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. There are also creations by potters and archaeological pieces charting nearly 7,000 years of the ceramics trade in the Salernes area. The museum also puts on temporary exhibitions devoted to contemporary designers.

As the administrative centre of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence département, a stopping place on the Napoleon Road (Route Napoléon), a spa and health resort and the lavender capital, the town of Digne-les-Bains has plenty to interest visitors! The historic centre, dominated by Saint-Jérôme cathedral, features picturesque pedestrian streets and Saint-Charles hill. It is also home to the must-see Gassendi museum devoted to local history, art and science. Housed in a 16th-century former hospice, it contains collections of 17th-, 18th- and 19th-century painting, as well as contemporary artworks, stuffed animals and physics and optical instruments.

Specialising in the treatment of respiratory and rheumatic problems, the Thermes de Digne-les-Bains thermal baths north of the town offer spa cures as well as fitness breaks and well-being treatments. The new water fun park, set in the heart of the thermal bathing establishment's extension, includes an indoor pool connected to an outdoor pool, along with a spa. Definitely one for relaxation fans!

Digne-les-Bains also organises the Corso de la Lavande every August, a five-day lavender festival featuring parades of flower-covered floats, a producers' market, shows, concerts, dances and fireworks.

The lovely little town of Castellane on the banks of the Verdon river is a stopping place on the Napoleon Road (Route Napoléon) surrounded by beautiful, wild mountains. Dominated by the famous rock on which Notre-Dame du Roc chapel stands, the Provençal old town is a maze of picturesque narrow lanes, fortified vestiges like the Tour Pentagonale (five-sided tower) and Porte de l'Horloge (clock gateway), and the beautiful Place Marcel Sauvaire square – the heart of Castellane's action.

34 Rue Nationale is a house where Napoleon stopped to lunch on 3 March 1815 on his return from the island of Elba. Open to the public, it is today the Middle Verdon museum of popular arts and traditions.

Walking fans must not miss following the footpath that leads up to Notre-Dame du Roc chapel from behind the church in around 30 minutes. The view from the top over the surrounding countryside is magnificent!

As it is located in Verdon Regional Nature Park, Castellane makes an excellent base for hiking along the park's numerous walking trails, and for canoeing, kayaking and rafting in the clear water of the Verdon river.

Situated where Provence meets the Alps, in the Digne foothills, the Réserve Géologique de Haute-Provence is the biggest geopark in Europe! Covering a protected area of 2,300 km², this open-air museum is crossed by a network of waymarked discovery trails and is home to an impressive amount of fossils. Among its geological gems are a rock shelf covered in giant ammonites, the fossilised skeleton of an Ichthyosaurus (La Robine site) and fossilised bird footprints. It is an incredible journey through 300 million years of history!

Also not to be missed is the unique Musée-Promenade in Digne-les-Bains, a part open-air museum with a large wooded park dotted with contemporary artworks, as well as exhibition rooms where remarkable fossil collections are on display.

This village in Var is thus named due to the presence of two châteaux: one overlooking the village and the other on the Nartuby riverbank. In an unspoilt, green setting above the Nartuby Gorges, Châteaudouble still has a medieval look about it. The cobbled streets, vaulted passages, 18th-century dwellings, washhouses and chapels help to preserve this authentic atmosphere. And if you look closely at the houses, you will be able to see their sculpted pediments, a mark of the Templars. Built in the 16th century then extended in the 17th, the Church of Our Lady of the Annunciation contains lavish furnishings including three altarpieces and listed baptismal fonts. But the attractions of the village don't stop there: to enjoy a magnificent view of the gorges, head for Place Beausoleil at the top of the village!

A listed site, the Nartuby Gorges not only offer beautiful walks in the heart of nature, but are also a favourite playground for climbers, with more than 400 climbing routes at their disposal. During your outing, remember to look up at the sky: you might see a golden eagle.

Offering a panoramic view over the Durance valley, the charming hilltop village of Lurs is a lovely place to wander around with its flower-decked streets lined with tastefully-restored stone houses, a Romanesque church, clock tower, delightful little open-air theatre and château, once the home of the bishops of Sisteron. Make a point of walking down the Promenade des Évèques, a beautiful footpath lined with 15 shrines that leads to Notre-Dame de Vie chapel. From the chapel, the view over the Durance valley, Valensole plateau, Lure mountain and the foothills of the Alps at Digne is really superb!

The Rencontres Internationales de Lure, a graphic arts and calligraphy event, is held there every last week of August.

About twenty kilometres from the Verdon Gorges nestles an adorable, authentic and well-preserved village, with an atmosphere of real serenity. Listed among the Most Beautiful Villages in France, Bargème stands on top of a rocky hill at an altitude of 1,097 metres, making it the highest village in Var. Imagine the view it offers! An unobstructed panorama of the valley, the Canjuers Plateau and the Maures Massif.

The village is dominated by its old feudal castle, built in the 13th century. Although much of it was destroyed in the Wars of Religion, you can still see its keep, its round towers and the ruins of its surrounding walls.

Bargème is typical of Provence's old feudal villages, as evidenced by the remains of the past which you can see on your walk. Enter the village through one of the fortified gates, like the Porte de Garde, to discover them. As you stroll along the narrow streets, you can admire old houses, vaulted passages and ramparts. This journey back in time will enchant lovers of old buildings and medieval heritage!

Forcalquier, located not far from Lure mountain and the Luberon, was the capital of a medieval earldom and has retained a rich heritage from this past. The historic centre, which lies at the foot of the citadel hill, features ancient streets, Place Saint-Michel square with a Gothic fountain, Notre-Dame-du-Bourguet cathedral and the Franciscan Cordeliers convent. Also not to be missed is the magnificent view over the rooftops of the town and the surrounding landscape from the citadel – where the former castle of the Counts of Forcalquier stands – and Notre-Dame-de-Provence chapel.

Overlooking the Durance valley from its high wooded plateau, Notre-Dame de Ganagobie Benedictine monastery, which was founded in the 10th century by Bishop Jean II of Sisteron, is famous for its medieval mosaics. Located in the central apse of the church, they are a jewel of Romanesque art. Made in the 12th century, these remarkable polychrome mosaics of Eastern influence feature geometric designs and fantastical animals. Another marvel to discover is the magnificent church portal with its carved tympanum representing Christ in Majesty.

In the rolling hills of the Pays du Forcalquier area, between the Luberon and Lure mountain, lies the delightful village of Mane. A fortified "Cité de Caractère" dominated by its 12-century medieval citadel, Mane is as pretty as a picture with its picturesque, steep, cobbled lanes, mansions and beautiful stone houses. It also offers a magnificent panoramic view from around the citadel over the roofs of the village and surrounding Provence countryside.

At one end of the village nestle two more architectural gems: the 12th-century Romanesque Notre-Dame de Salagon priory and the 18th-century Château de Sauvan. The priory, a listed historic monument, houses the Haute-Provence departmental museum of ethnology, with permanent and temporary exhibitions, and possesses an ethnobotanical garden. The château, located not far from the priory, is known as the "Petit Trianon of Provence". Its grounds feature a French-style formal garden, while the superb classical building contains beautiful furnished rooms.

Founded in 1146, Thoronet Abbey in Var is one of three Cistercian abbeys in Provence, along with those of Silvacane and Sénanque.

Nestled in the heart of the Mediterranean forest, in an isolated spot in the hinterland of the Maures Massif, it is a real architectural gem. It's interesting to note that it was built according to an ancestral technique, which consisted in laying cut stones without mortar. This construction process has helped to give the place a sense of serenity that is very conducive to meditation...

The beauty of the church with its clean lines, the cloister with its twin arches and the chapter house with its sculpted capitals, is particularly striking. Yet that is not the Romanesque abbey's only attraction. Indeed, the acoustics in its church create a very long resonance time - one of the longest in the world! - and make it a major centre for Gregorian chant. The concerts held there are always highly acclaimed.

Nestling in unspoiled scenery near Castellane in Verdon Regional Nature Park is Castillon artificial lake, a magnificent stretch of emerald-green water overlooked by the charming village of Saint-Julien-du-Verdon. Both this village and Saint-André-les-Alpes boast a water sports centre offering numerous activities, including swimming, canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, fishing and pedalo boating. Holidaymakers and walkers will also find waymarked footpaths around the lake.

Known as the "Pearl of Upper Provence", the town of Sisteron is located on the Napoleon Road (Route Napoléon) on the banks of the Durance river opposite Baume rock and is dominated by its imposing hilltop citadel. The historic centre of this Provençal medieval fortified town is very picturesque and contains much built heritage of interest to walkers, including the Romanesque Notre-Dame-des-Pommiers cathedral, fortification towers, narrow streets lined with old houses and little squares decorated with charming fountains. The interesting Musée Terre et Temps (Earth and Time Museum), housed in the former Visitandines chapel near the cathedral, explores the history of time telling and measuring the passing of time in nature through a magnificent collection of rare and unusual objects. This museum is also the departure point for the Route du Temps, a fantastic waymarked time trail across the Haute-Provence geological reserve.

Towering above the Durance valley on top of a rocky spur is the citadel of Sisteron. Built in the 11th century and remodelled in the 13th, 16th and 19th centuries, it enjoys a strategic location between the Alps and the Mediterranean. This listed historic monument and former stronghold of the Counts of Provence today houses a museum devoted to Napoleon and an exhibition of horse-drawn carriages. Sisteron citadel also offers a superb view of Baume rock, the town rooftops, the river banks and surrounding mountains.

From mid-July to mid-August, the Nuits de la Citadelle festival offers a programme of culture, music, theatre and dance against the imposing backdrop of the fortress ramparts. Also not to be missed is Sisteron's Fête de l'Agneau (lamb festival), held every Ascension weekend.

Surrounded by mysteriously-shaped sandstone rocks, the extremely picturesque medieval village of Annot is a must for walkers and fans of unspoiled villages, with its narrow streets lined with ancient houses, covered passageways, Saint-Jean-Baptiste church, lovely fountains, an old lavoir (communal laundry washing place) and square shaded by plane trees.

An approved "Station Verte" (nature-orientated holiday resort), Annot offers sporty types and nature lovers a variety of outdoor activities like hiking, mountain biking and climbing.

Located 1,250 metres above sea level on the banks of the turbulent Verdon river, the medieval fortified village of Colmars is full of picturesque charm. Old Colmars is surrounded by ramparts and reached through one of three fortified gateways. It is a lovely place for a wander with streets lined with tall houses, Saint-Martin church, Provençal Gothic chapels, pretty fountains and a rampart walk.

Outside the walls, two late 17th-century forts watch over the village. One of them, the Fort de Savoie, is open to visitors in July and August.

In the second weekend of August, Colmars holds a particularly lively medieval festival that takes residents and tourists on a journey back to the time of the knights!

Standing on top of a rocky spur on a meander of the Var river, the medieval fortified village of Entrevaux enjoys a beautiful natural setting.

After entering the village over a drawbridge, you discover a maze of charming and picturesque narrow streets lined with old houses, as well as a Gothic cathedral with a magnificent Baroque interior.

Dominating the village roofs is a hilltop citadel built by Vauban in 1690 and reached via a fortified walkway that zigzags up the hillside. At the top, visitors can explore the fortifications and get a fantastic panoramic view of Entrevaux and the Var valley!

Not to be missed: Entrevaux medieval festival with its busy programme of events in the old village in July.