Alpes de Haute Provence
 Population: 144.809 h Surface 6.925 km2

This is a departement of contrasts with its high plains and mountains, fields of lavender and ski trails. It's the marriage of Provence and the Alps, described by the well known writer Jean Giono, with more than 500,000h. of protected natural sites.

To the north of the departement stand high mountains which form the valley of Ubaye near Barcelonnette.

West of Haut Verdon is the Val d'Allos nicknamed the French Colorado.

To the south, the famous canyons the Gorges de Verdon offer a beautiful spectacle of lakes, cliffs and wide horizons of the cultivated plains of Valensole.

Forcalquier, a town and area to the west is of a more Provencal spirit in that the climate is mild and the landscape is softer with its sloping hills and vineyards, Manosque, the point of Luberon, and the valley of the Durance with its crops of fruit and vegetables form the main tourist attractions of the departement.

The Valley of Ubaye, The Haut Verdon and the Valley Blanche

Situated in the north of the departement, near the Italian border and skirting the Maritime Alps, these high mountain valleys offer along with the National Park of Mercantour one of the greatest European natural reserves: 210,000 protected hectares ranging from 500 to 3,150 meters above sea level.

These mountains, dotted with ancient hamlets and villages have remained a wilderness harbouring many animals and a rich vegetation.

The Canyons of Verdon Au sud du département, le Verdon marque la limite avec le Var mais aussi entre la haute et la basse Provence. Les paysages y sont d'une rare diversité et les pratiques sportives qui en découlent aussi : sommet des Pré-Alpes, plateau de Valensole, lacs, torrents, et gorges profondes. Air pur, eaux propres, faunes et flores protégées, la nature est intacte dans les pays du Verdon. Que ce soit par les cultures et les champs de lavande autour de Valensole, le thermalisme à Gréoux les Bains, les faïences artisanales à Moustiers Ste Marie, les vestiges paléolithiques et celtes, l'histoire et l'activité de l'homme s'inscrivent en harmonie avec la richesse des paysages.

Photo : Roger Verdegen

Pays de Forcalquier, vallée de la Durance To the south of the departement the river Verdon marks the limits of the Var and high and low Provence (Haute Provence, Basse Provence). The countryside is abounding in natural resources. There are the summits of the Pre-Alps, the high plains of Valensole, lakes, waterfalls and deep canyons. Clean air and water, protected nature reserves, its pleasing geographical features, make the area of Verdon a choice spot for nature lovers and sports lovers. For those less hardy visitors, one can admire the fields of crops and lavender near Valensole or the crockery from of Moustiers Ste. Marie. One can take the waters at of Gréoux les Bains or observe the traces left from Paleolithic times and the early Celtic inhabitants.