Moustiers-Sainte-Marie: a village in the heart of the Verdon
In the heart of Haute-Provence, at the gateway to the Verdon Gorges, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is one of those villages that you never forget.
It is located in the immediate vicinity of the Verdon Gorges and the Valensole plateau: approximately 10 minutes each.
The village is situated between two rocky cliffs.
Its narrow streets, shaded squares and old houses invite leisurely strolls rather than a rushed visit.
Moustiers is also classified among the Most Beautiful Villages of France.
The Star of Moustiers
It is impossible to talk about Moustiers without looking up.
A star suspended between the two cliffs overlooks the village.
It is associated with an old legend: the knight Blacas is said to have promised to hang a star above Moustiers if he returned alive from captivity.
This star has become the symbol of the village.
Our Lady of the Assumption
The parish church has a remarkable 12th century Lombard bell tower, one of the most beautiful in Provence.
The Notre-Dame de Beauvoir chapel
Above the village, the Notre-Dame de Beauvoir chapel is one of the great attractions of Moustiers.
It is something to be earned: you have to climb the steps that lead to the sanctuary.
But the effort is rewarded by the panoramic view of the village and the surrounding landscapes.
Moustiers, the capital of earthenware
The other major identity of Moustiers is the earthenware.
Your information sheet reminds us that this activity brought renown to the village as early as the time of Louis XIV. It is still practiced today by several artisans.
The Tourist Office confirms today that earthenware and craftsmanship remain at the heart of Moustiers' identity.
So take the time to push open the doors of the workshops.
Moustiers and the Verdon Gorges
Moustiers is an excellent base for exploring the Verdon Gorges.
The canyon was carved by the erosion of the Verdon in the limestone plateaus and the gorges extend for about 50 km, between Castellane and the lake of Sainte-Croix.
The village therefore allows for a combination of: village → earthenware → Verdon Gorges → Sainte-Croix Lake → Valensole Plateau.
An ideal excursion
From Jasmins Studio, I would predict a real day.
Morning : Moustiers-Sainte-Marie and exploring the village.
Noon : lunch on site.
Afternoon : Lake Sainte-Croix or Verdon Gorges.
And if you are in the flowering period: extend to the Valensole plateau.
Also worth discovering
→ Upper Var
→ Gorges of Cians and Daluis
→ Verdon Gorges
→ Var and inland Provence
→ Valensole Plateau
→ Mimosa Road
→ The hilltop villages of the French Riviera