The Alpes-de-Haut-Provence offers spectacular mountainous landscapes, perched villages, and outdoor activities. The Mercantour National Park is a sought-after destination.
The Alpes-de-Haute-Provence offers a multitude of tourist, gastronomic, and cultural activities. Here is a list categorized by type:
### Gastronomic Activities
1. Tasting local products:
- Goat and sheep cheese
- Lavender honey
- Olive oil
- Truffles (in season)
2. Local markets:
- Forcalquier market (Monday)
- Digne-les-Bains market (Wednesday and Saturday)
- Manosque market (Saturday)
3. Restaurants and inns:
- Discover Provençal cuisine in the many restaurants of the region
- Mountain inns offering traditional dishes
### Heritage
1. Historical sites:
- Sisteron citadel
- Ganagobie abbey
- Sauvan chateau in Mane
2. Picturesque villages:
- Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, famous for its ceramics
- Simiane-la-Rotonde, with its castle and gardens
- Forcalquier, with its cathedral and medieval alleyways
3. Museums:
- Gassendi Museum in Digne-les-Bains
- Prehistory Museum of the Verdon Gorges in Quinson
- Faience Museum in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
### Outdoor Activities
1. Hiking:
- Regional Natural Park of the Verdon
- Montagne de Lure
- White Valley
2. Water sports:
- Canyoning in the Verdon Gorges
- Rafting and kayaking on the Durance
- Swimming in Sainte-Croix and Esparron lakes
3. Ski and winter sports:
- Pra-Loup and Val d'Allos ski stations
- Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in surrounding mountains
### Cultural Activities
1. Festivals and events:
- Manosque Correspondence Festival
- Nights of the Citadel in Sisteron
- Ancient Music Festival in Simiane-la-Rotonde
2. Local crafts:
- Ceramic workshops in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
- Pottery and ceramics in Saint-Michel-l'Observatoire
- Wood and wool work in mountain villages
### Relaxation Activities
1. Thermalism:
- Digne-les-Bains thermal baths
- Gréoux-les-Bains thermal baths
2. Well-being and spa:
- Wellness centers and spas in thermal stations
- Massages and relaxing treatments
### Family Activities
1. Parks and gardens:
- Cordeliers Garden in Forcalquier
- Botanical Garden of the Cordeliers in Digne-les-Bains
2. Children's activities:
- Sisteron citadel animal park
- Adventure and zip line courses in the Verdon Gorges
The Alpes-de-Haute-Provence thus offers a great diversity of activities for all tastes and ages, combining nature, culture, gastronomy, and relaxation.