The Transhumances
Bed & Breakfasts
MoreDiscovering the three Most Beautiful Villages in France
A charming getaway between heritage, nature and Provençal lifestyle to discover the three Most Beautiful Villages of France in the Alpes de Haute Provence.
From the fortified city of Entrevaux to the flower-lined streets of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, passing through Colmars-les-Alpes and its mountain ramparts, this stay invites you on an irresistible journey through three gems classified as the Most Beautiful Villages of France.
An immersion between history, landscapes and know-how, ideally to be experienced from Nice, during a getaway by car or motorbike, in the heart of the Alpes de Haute Provence.
The stay in summary
- Duration : 3 days / 2 nights
- Ideal for : a couple's getaway
- Accommodation : guest house and *** hotel
- Moves : by car or motorbike
- Ideal period : from May to October
Programme
Day 1: Entrevaux, fortified city on the edge of the Verdon
Less than 1.5 hours from Nice, your getaway begins at Entrevaux, a medieval village classified as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France. Dominated by a fortress designed by Vauban, it spreads its cobbled streets and ramparts along the banks of the Var.
Stroll through the walled city, admire the old houses, the sundial from 1572, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption and its Baroque treasures.
Our Suggestions :
- Climb the path to the Citadel of Entrevaux (156 m above the Var), Vauban's masterpiece offering a 360° panorama over the valley,
- Visit the Motorcycle Museum, a fascinating collection of old models on three levels, retracing the history of two-wheelers.
gourmet break : at Restaurant Vauban, savor the famous beef secca, a local dried and salted specialty, the gastronomic pride of Entrevaux.
"Irresistible" Experience : every Sunday, board the Steam Train of Pignes, for a round trip to Annot, another town of character in the Alpes de Haute Provence, at the foot of the majestic Sandstone of Annot.
At the end of the day, the road climbs towards Colmars-les-Alpes, via the Nordic Center of La Colle Saint-Michel and the hilltop hamlet of Peyresq, a haunt of artists and scientists.
Evening in a charming farm
Stay at Gîte Les Transhumances, a charming farmhouse overlooking the Haut-Verdon Valley. Enjoy a dinner featuring local flavors prepared by Alizée in a friendly and authentic atmosphere.
Day 2: Colmars-les-Alpes, fortified medieval city of Haut Verdon
This morning, set off to discover Colmars-les-Alpes, a mountain village labeled Most Beautiful Village in France in 2025Between fortifications, nature and traditions, the city immerses you in a setting of living history.
Walk along the ramparts, visit the Saint-Martin church, the Saint-Joseph chapel, then follow the "Memory of the streets" route and the "In the footsteps of Soldier Carlon" interpretation trail for a journey through time.
Our Suggestions :
- Explore the House-Museum and its 25 spaces recreating life in the past in the upper Verdon Valley,
- Climb up to the Fort de Savoie, a superb 17th-century structure where the scenographic trail "The Story of Vauban" immerses you in the military history of the site.
Lunch at the restaurant Le France, a typical address with the flavors of Provence, a stone's throw from the ramparts.
"Irresistible" Experience : take a stroll to the Cascade de la Lance, a superb forest trail leading to a spectacular waterfall in the heart of a rocky cirque (1.5 hours round trip).
In the afternoon, the road descends towards Moustiers-Sainte-Marie via Castellane, the gateway to the Verdon Gorges .
Panoramic stop at Point Sublime, then, for thrill seekers, a detour via the Route des Crêtes and its 14 dizzying viewpoints.
Evening and night in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
Arrival in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, check-in at La Ferme Rose***, a charming hotel in the middle of the fields, 1 km from the village. Dinner at Kako's Wine Bar, in a retro and warm atmosphere, around sincere and generous cuisine.
Day 3: Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, the nursery village of Provence
Nestled at the foot of high cliffs, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie shines with its authenticity. Classified as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France since 1981, it seduces with its flowery alleys, its earthenware workshops and its famous star suspended between two rocks, a mystical symbol of the place.
Follow thefree application from the tourist office for a guided tour of the village's 14 points of interest.
- Visit the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption (listed as a Historic Monument in 1913) and its tuff bell tower, a jewel of Provençal Romanesque art,
- Climb the 262 steps leading to the Notre-Dame-de-Beauvoir Chapel for an unforgettable panorama of the village,
- Explore the Earthenware Museum, which traces the history of this excellent craftsmanship that has made Moustiers famous.
Lunch at the Bastide de Moustiers, a MICHELIN-starred restaurant, for a refined gastronomic experience in the heart of the Verdon.
"Irresistible" Experience : end your stay with a pedal boat ride on the Sainte-Croix lake, with its turquoise waters, a true natural jewel of Provence.
Three villages, three atmospheres, one enchantment.
From the Entrevaux fortress to the Haut-Verdon waterfalls, from the Moustiers earthenware to the panoramic roads, this escapade reveals the preserved soul of the Alpes de Haute Provence.
Want to extend the experience? Discover the Villages and Cities of Character, for other encounters with beauty and authenticity.
