Alpes-de-Haute-Provence offers a range of highlights for a trip of discovery: nature and water activities alongside churches, museums and crafts. First, consider which experiences you want to shape your days.

Nature and Outdoor Activities

Allos is associated with high-altitude lakes, including Lac d’Allos, as well as hiking and skiing. Access to the parking area at Lac d’Allos is regulated and subject to a fee during peak season. Before you arrive, check the applicable access and payment conditions. On Montagne de Lure, you can go hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking. The Sentier des Crêtes de Lure is a seven-kilometre loop and is considered fairly easy. The Crêtes de Lure are also known for their biodiversity and panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the Bas-Alpin landscape.

If you prefer a guided hike, you could consider outings led by a state-certified mountain guide: they are organised year-round for individuals and groups. Guided hikes may focus on discovering the department’s plants or wildlife. Other activities include via ferratas and canyoning; paragliding courses are also available. The options therefore range from nature-watching and hiking to sporting activities, though not all of them need to be part of the same outing.

Water Activities and Seasonal Conditions

At the Retenue de Castillon, options include swimming, sailing, canoeing, pedal boating, paddleboarding and fishing. Access to the water and conditions for supervised swimming may vary by season. If you are planning days by the water, keep these seasonal differences in mind. The different activities offer different ways to spend time on the water; which ones suit your stay depends on your interests.

Culture, History and Crafts

Museums in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence cover history, art, Provençal traditions, nature and science. Fortresses, fortified villages, castles and religious heritage also offer cultural discoveries. Salagon brings together a 12th-century Romanesque church, a Renaissance residence and ethnobotanical gardens. The Couvent des Cordeliers dates back to the 13th century and houses the Université Européenne des Senteurs et Saveurs. These examples offer different points of interest, from architectural and religious history to gardens and scientific subjects.

If you are interested in crafts, you can visit workshops focusing on faience, pottery, woodworking, natural cosmetics, textiles or santons. Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is known for traditional faience and faience workshops. The workshops and the town offer a tangible introduction to a craft that is also represented elsewhere in the department.

Food and Drink to Sample

Banon is known for goat’s cheese wrapped in chestnut leaves. Lavender honey is also worth sampling during your stay in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. These culinary discoveries can complement a cultural or nature trip without having to dictate your daily schedule.

Routes and Choosing Where to Stay

The tourist routes offer glimpses of preserved nature, historic heritage and local traditions. You can explore them by car, motorcycle, bicycle, campervan or on foot. For guided heritage tours, there are also guides-conférenciers and guides de pays. When planning, you can therefore consider whether you would rather explore independently or include a guided tour.

Discover more destinations: Allos, Beauvezer, Digne-Les-Bains, Entrevaux, Jausiers, La Foux-D'allos, Peipin, Pra Loup, Seyne, Sisteron, Saint-Jean, Valernes, Céreste, Ste.Croix-A-Lauze, Allemagne-En-Provence, Aubenas-Les-Alpes, Banon, Castellane, Cruis, Esparron-De-Verdon, Gréoux-Les-Bains, Les Mees, Limans, Lurs, Manosque, Montfuron, Montsalier, Niozelles, Oraison, Pierrevert, Puimoisson, Quinson, Redortiers, Reillanne, Riez, Roumoules, Saint-Étienne-Les-Orgues, Saint-Maime, Saint-Michel-L'observatoire, Sainte-Croix-De-Verdon, Saumane, Sigonce, Revest-Saint-Martin, Vachères, Dabisse-Les Mees, Saint-Andrè-Les-Alpes, Volx, Forcalquier, Valensole, Selonnet, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, Le Lauzet-Ubaye, La Palud, La Foux, Château-Arnoux-Saint-Auban, Chabrières, Barcelonnette, La Motte-Du-Caire, Montagnac-Montpezat, Bellegarde, Peyruis, Villars-Colmars, Oppedette, Montclar, Villeneuve, Beaujeu, Saint-Vincent-Les-Forts, Annot, Volonne, Le Fugeret, Saint-Laurent-Du-Verdon, Sainte-Tulle, Bellaffaire, Les Thuiles, Saint-Pons, Saint-Paul-Sur-Ubaye, Mison, Simiane-La-Rotonde, Authon, Beynes, Aubignosc, Mane, Méolans-Revel, Senez, Uvernet-Fours, Mezel, Aiglun, Saint-Julien-Du-Verdon, Saint-Martin-De-Brômes, Vaumeilh, La Brillanne, Entrevennes, Dauphin, Curbans, Faucon-De-Barcelonnette, Thorame-Haute, Barrême, Soleilhas, Thoard, Clamensane, Rougon, Saint-Jeannet, Prads-Haute-Bléone, Larche, La Condamine-Châtelard, Enchastrayes, Sausses, Mallefougasse-Augès, La Javie, Brunet, Châteauneuf-Val-Saint-Donat, Les Omergues, Turriers, Ongles, Pierrerue, La Bréole, Curel, Saint-Martin-les-Eaux, Valbelle, Saint-Vincent-sur-Jabron, Revest-des-Brousses, Le Vernet, Bevons, Lardiers, Châteauneuf-Miravail, Chaudon-Norante, Noyers-sur-Jabron, Revest-du-Bion, L'Escale, Entrepierres, Mallemoisson, Le Brusquet, Auzet.

For the broader travel overview: Provence-Alpes-Côte D'azur.