Discover alpes-de-Haute-Provence
Between lavender, sunshine and grandiose landscapes, the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence offers a unique setting for your vacation. Staying in the heart of this region means enjoying an exceptional cultural and natural heritage: typical Provencal villages, lively markets, Roman remains, lakes and the spectacularly scenic Gorges du Verdon. From our campsite in Riez, you’re ideally situated for exploring the lavender fields of the Valensole plateau, the turquoise waters of Lake Sainte-Croix and the charming villages of character. Whether you’re a history buff, a nature lover or an outdoor enthusiast, the Verdon has a thousand discoveries in store for you, your family, your friends or your partner.
the
Charm
of Provence!
The best places to visit near the campsite
Explore Provencal villages and characterful towns
A typically Provencal village, Riez-la-Romaine offers a friendly atmosphere: stroll through its famous market every Wednesday and Saturday morning, under the plane trees, and enjoy the terraces of its bars and restaurants. Around Riez, discover other Provencal villages, where charm can be found at every turn. Stroll through the colorful markets of Valensole, admire the earthenware in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie or explore the medieval streets ofAiguines. These towns of character, bathed in sunshine and steeped in history, reveal the authenticity of Provence. From craftsmen to local produce and heritage, each stop is an invitation to enjoy a typically Provencal experience.
Focus on Riez-la-Romaine, 10 minutes from the campsite
In the heart of the Verdon Regional Nature Park, at an altitude of 530 meters, Riez, classified as a “cité de caractère” (town of character), welcomes you to a preserved environment between the Lac de Sainte Croix and the Gorges du Verdon, and at the crossroads of the Lac d’Esparron-du-Verdon and the Lac de Moustiers-Sainte-Marie.
Riez, a historic town
In the heart of the vast Valensole plateau, which covers 800 km2, a tabular hill (St-Maxime) overlooks the confluence of three valleys, which have been used for communications since the High Roman Empire. In the last century BC, Augustus founded the Reii Apollinaires colony at this crossroads linking Aix and Fréjus to Haute Provence.
The testimonies of these 20 centuries that have come down to us are pathetic, as the remains were often used as quarries by builders.
- Four monolithic granite columns, topped by a sculpted architrave, are the remains of a temple erected in the 1ᵉʳ century AD to the glory of Apollo
- On the ruins of Roman baths, a baptistry was erected in the Vᵉ century with antique materials reused. This remains one of the few early Christian buildings in Provence, although its dome was rebuilt in the XIIᵉ century.
The XIVᵉ century left us with the vestiges of a military architecture, of which remnants of the ramparts, the clock tower, the Samson gate and the Ayguière gate remain. The Grand’Rue is imbued with a medieval atmosphere evoked by narrow streets linked by “andrones” (covered passageways under the houses), high facades of ancestral buildings that once housed stores.
The Hôtel de Mazan and a number of house facades give an image of Renaissance architecture. Numerous fountains and washhouses quench travelers’ thirst. Riez is rich in exceptional heritage. Come and appreciate its quality and diversity.
Guided tour: information at theTourist Office Valérie : 04.92.77.99.09
Riez, an ideal location
Leaving from Riez, a real crossroads for visiting: 5 destinations on 5 different routes:
- Lac de Sainte-Croix :10 km; beach, swimming, pedalos, canoeing, fishing
- Moustiers-Sainte-Marie and the start of the Grand Canyon du Verdon: 15 km
- Valensole and its lavender fields: 13 km and 22 km further: Manosque, home of Jean Giono
- Gréoux-les-Bains, Ville Thermale: 20 km and the Esparron-du-Verdon lake
- Puimoisson: 8 km; Lavender fields and 32 km further: Digne-les-Bains
Riez, a lively town
Riez is a lively village with a wide range of events: transhumance festival, wheat festival, honey festival, lavender festival, olive festival, village festival on the weekend of August 15, flea markets and garage sales, concerts in the cathedral, fêtes votives, night markets every Thursday evening, festivals, plays, open-air cinema every Wednesday in July and August. And coming soon, the Musée d’Archéologie et de la Gypserie at the Hôtel de Mazan.
Immersion in the lavender fields of the Valensole plateau
Lavender is a plant synonymous with sunshine and Provence. The lavender fields of the Valensole plateau, stretching from Manosque via Riez to Lac de Sainte-Croix, are breathtakingly beautiful in their color and exceptional scent.
Not to mention all the other benefits of this plant that we invite you to discover:
- Visit to the Angelvin lavender distillery in Valensole
- Lavender Festival in July in Valensole and in August in Digne-les-Bains
Other essences to discover in our garrigues and on our Provencal markets: rosemary, thyme, bay laurel, basil, mint, chives, sage, savory, marjoram, oregano, olives, not forgetting saffron…
at the heart
lavender
Gastronomic heritage: discover the markets of Provence
In Riez, you’ll find a magnificent, large Provencal market every Wednesday and Saturday morning under the plane trees, as well as a night market every Thursday.
Year-round markets
- Monday: Saint-Martin-de Brôme
- Tuesday: Gréoux-les-Bains and Aiguines
- Wednesday: Riez-Castelanne -Aups
- Thursday: Gréoux-les-Bains-Les salles / Verdon-Montagnac
- Friday: Moustiers-Sainte-Marie and Esparron-du-Verdon
- Saturday: Riez-Castelanne -Aups-Valensole
- Sunday: Vinon-sur-Verdon
Summer-only markets
- Monday: Les-Salles-sur-Verdon by night
- Tuesday: Moustiers-Sainte-Marie by night-Sainte Croix du Verdon
- Thursday: Riez (night-time)
- Friday: Gréoux-les-Bains by night
- Sunday: Quinson-La Palud-sur-Verdon- Régusse
Best things to do in Alpes-de-Hautes-Provence around Riez
In the south of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, the Verdon region offers majestic landscapes that make it a unique place to discover hiking, climbing, canyoning, aerial sports and more. Travel a few kilometers by car, bicycle or €1 bus… to take advantage of the many other activities available nearby and the magnificent world sites to visit.
- Rafting, Bungee jumping, Via-ferrata…
- Open-air cinema
- European Prehistory Museum in Quinson
- Laser game
- Quad or buggy touring
- Hot-air balloon
Family activities
There are many family experiences and activities available in the vicinity of the campsite. Here’s a short list:
- Fête du blé à Riez in the Gorges du Verdon
- Renaissance Festival in Riez
- Lavender fields
- Provencal Market
- Medieval festival
- Craft fair
- Honey Festival
- Truffle Festival
- Roman columns
- Squash Days
- Lavender fields between the Gorges du Verdon and the Valensole plateau
- Discover the Gorges du Verdon and the region, guided tour in minibus with Provisito
- The train des Pignes: since 1911, it has linked Digne-les-Bains to Nice on a single line.
- Donkey ride at Saint-Martin-de-Brôme
- Gypsum circuit between Riez and Saint-Jurs
- Botanical trail in Esparron-du-Verdon
- Toine trail at Les Salles-sur-Verdon
- Châteauneuf-lès-Moustiers discovery trail
Cultural activities
Museums
- Prehistory museum in Quinson (Europe’s largest): events and guided tour of the cave
- Musée de la faïence in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, route des Gorges du Verdon
- Ecomuseum on ”life in the past” in Esparron-du-Verdon
- Woodturners’ Museum in Aiguines
- Maison des Gorges du Verdon at La Palud-sur-Verdon
- Bee Museum, Nevière in Valensole
- Jean Giono Museum in Manosque
- Musée Gassendi in Digne-les-Bains and the Musée Promenade-Réserve Géologique de Haute-Provence
- Alexandra David Néel Museum in Digne-les-Bains (not to be missed)
- Ecomuseum: the Olive Tree in Volx
- Visit to the “L’OCCITANE” factory and museum in Manosque (boutique on site)
- Museum and garden at Salagon
Visits to wildlife parks
- Discovering the Verdon vultures in Rougon
- Corbi park in Corbières
- Animal and domestic park + adventure course in Vinon-sur-Verdon.
- Zoo de la Barben near Aix-en-Provence between Pélissanne and St-Cannat
Other visits
- Angelvin lavender distillery in Valensole (visit and learn about lavender cultivation)
- “Memory of the valley” documents and projection before the lake at Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon.
- The Maison du Lac at Les Salles-sur-Verdon: the history of the lake and dam construction
- Le moulin de l’olivette in Manosque (guided tour on Thursdays)
- The truffle house in Aups
- XII-XVIth century listed castle, remarkable architecture in Allemagne-en-Provence
- Windmills: guided tour of 2 windmills in Régusse
- The Haute-Provence Astronomy Center and Observatory at Saint-Michel l’Observatoire
- Maison des produits de pays du Verdon: direct sales from producer to consumer in Allemagne-en-Provence
- Playmobil toy art on show; unique in France at Bauduen
Lakes and water sports around the campsite
- Electric boat rental and cruise to discover Lac d’Esparron in Esparron du Verdon with La Perle du Verdon
- Instructor-led canoe and kayak trips in Montpezat in the lower Gorges du Verdon; rafting and canyoning in the Gorges du Verdon with Secret River in Castellane and Passion Canyon
Sports and outdoor activities
- Riez is on the GR34 route, as well as on the GR69 route since 2020(La Routo).
The GR69 covers 520 km from Arles to Cueno (Italy) in 33 stages, including 250 km in our département, the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence (15 stages and 25 communes crossed).
This is an agritourism and cultural itinerary on the theme of transhumance and pastoralism. - Mini ranch: courses – lessons and rides – rides for teenagers and adults – pony rides for children at the mini ranch in Riez
- Canoeing, kayaking, pedal-boating and electric boating in the Grand Canyon and lower Gorges: numerous water sports centres
- Sailing, optimist, catamaran, windsurf, rowing, caravel, kayak and paddle: baptisms – trips – pirate workshop – rentals or courses at AVN04 in Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon
- Rafting – Canyoning – Climbing – Caving – Water sports: numerous guides
- Flight or tandem paragliding experience in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
- ULM in Puimoisson and Vinon-sur-Verdon
- Hot-air balloon flight in Puimoisson
- Laser Ball in Manosque
- Accrobranche at Canyon Parc in Gréoux-les-Bains
- Mountain biking: guided tours with mountain-bike instructor in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie; mountain-bike and electric-bike rentals; many marked trails
- Fishing in 1ʳᵉ and 2ᵉ fish categories
- Bungee jumping from the Artuby bridge in the Gorges du Verdon
- Via Ferrata in Digne-les-Bains or Prads-Haute-Bléone or Le Caire
Hiking around the campsite
Riez
Several hiking trails start from the campsite:
- La chapelle Sainte-Maxime : 2 h= 3 km + Les colonnes Romaines : 30 min = 1 km + Le long du Colostre :1 h = 3 km
- Plateau de Millarettes: 3 h = 10 km
- Revesca via Valvachères: 2 h = 7 km + Revesca via Peyronnet: 2 h = 6 km
- The Tourettes plain: 2 h = 7 km
Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon
- The mule track: 2 h 15 = 5 km
Quinson
- Grotte de la Baume Bonne: 2 h 30 = 5 km + le vieux Quinson: 1 h 30 = 3.5 km
- La chapelle Sainte-Maxime: 3 h 45 = 9.5 km + La source de Poiraque: 3 h 30 = 9.5 km
Saint-Laurent-du-Verdon
- Coteau Chiron: 2 h = 6 km + Notre-Dame-du-Verdon: 2 h = 6 km
Esparron du Verdon
- From Séouve to Sainte-Magdeleine: 2 h = 6 km + around La Colle: 2 h=6 km
Germany-en-Provence
- St Marc chapel: 1 h 15 = 3.5 km + German castle: 30 min = 600 m
Puimoisson
- Notre-Dame-de-Bellevue chapel: 1 h 15 = 3.5 km + Rème plain: 3 h 30 = 13 km
Saint-Jurs
- On foot Agra summit: 3 h = 5.5 km
- By bike Le château d’Allès : 3 h = 17.5 km
Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
- Tour of the village: 1 h = 2.5 km + Tréguier: 2 h AR = 4 km + plateau d’Ourbes: 5h=12km
- Vincel : 4 h=8.5 km + Castillon par les baumes : 5 h = 12 km
- Montdenier : 5 h=12 km + sommet du Pavillon : 6 h 30 = 18 km
- Valx estate discovery trail: 1 h = 2 km
Valensole
- La Trinité: 3 h = 10 km + chante-Bri: 3 h = 8 km
- Tour de Tarabuc: 3 h 30 = 9 km + la croix des Maîsses: 3 h 30 = 9 km + Adrech de Notre Dame: 2 h = 5 km
- Le coulet de Bourre: 1 h 30 = 4.5 km + la plaine Saint-Jean: 2 h 30 = 8 km
Gréoux-les-Bains
- Walk around the Verdon: 1 h 30 = 3.5 km + Notre-Dame des œufs chapel: 2 h AR = 4 km
- Buffe Arnaud: 3 h 30 = 10 km + les Mauras: 4 h 30 = 11 km
- Vallongue : 4 h = 13 km + Draye des Troupeaux : : 4 h 30 = 14 km
Bauduen
- Verris trail: 2 h 30 = 7 km
La Palud-sur-Verdon
- Sentier Blanc Martel: 6 h 30 = 15 km
- Fishermen’s trails: 3 h = 6.5 km
- Tour de Barbin: 4 h = 11 km
- Sentier du Bastidon: 6 h 30 = 16 km
Aiguines
The start: 5 h = 9.5 km
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