Day Tripping in the Var at Gorges du Verdon, Moustiers and Valensole

If you’re around in summer, enjoy this top travel tip that has something for everyone – from paddling about in Europe’s deepest canyon to enjoying a picturesque lunch and then finishing off in the fields of lavender.

We recommend an early departure for the beaches near Aiguine, take the D957 past, Hameau du Pont, mainly to beat the crowds queueing up for a pedalo. Hiring an electric boat is a good idea if there’s a breeze, and if you’d prefer a more relaxed time on the water. The views as you sail into the Verdon Gorge are breathtaking with the canyon towering around you.

Continue reading here for a terrific day tripping itinerary for visiting the best of the Var.

If you prefer not to hire a car for the journey, you can also arrange a private transfer. You’ll travel with a local English-speaking driver and comfortably reach the gorge and surrounding villages at your own pace, without navigating winding Provençal roads or peak-season parking.

Not to be missed on this driving tour is Moustiers Sainte Marie a charming town, ranked among the most beautiful villages in France. Moustiers is the “gateway” to the Gorges du Verdon with most visitors passing through before or after their tour of the gorge. This village is striking with rugged cliffs as its backdrop and a massive gold star suspended between the two sides. Moustiers is equally well-known for a pottery trade that has spanned centuries. When you visit, explore the ceramic shops and the faience style pottery (tin-glazed). There is also a sporty walk (262 steps) you can do to the Notre Dame de Beauvoir chapel on the hillside.

After visiting Moustiers, follow Victoria’s notes for the jaw-dropping views of the lavender fields along the Valensole plateau.

Gorges du Verdon: Touring Essentials

Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, marketing tagline is Étoile de la Provence. Situated at the end of the Gorges du Verdon and near the shores of lac de Sainte-Croix, the village is one of the highlights of visiting this area.

Tourist Office Website
Moustiers Sainte-Marie
Tel: +33 (0)4 92 74 67 84

©Office de Tourisme Moustiers-Sainte-Marie

Weekend at the Gorges du Verdon by Curious Provence

3 of the Most Scenic Drives Close to Monaco

Saint-Tropez - Jewel of the French Riviera: Full day tour with a winery visit

Spend your day as a movie star in Saint-Tropez! The departure is set early in the morning to avoid the traffic towards the legendary town, with which a thousand stories are associated. The experience will start with a tour of this enchanting small fishing town of Saint-Tropez, which inspired numerous painters and whose beauty of the port always attracted the cinematographic world.

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Maison Mirabeau Wine

Stephen had been in the corporate world for 15 years and in August 2008 turned down a promotion that would have meant more money but also more stress, longer hours and less time with his young family. For many years the Cronks had been dreaming and talking about moving to France to make their own wine, but the moment never seemed quite right to make the big leap.

Soon after, a good redundancy offer seemed the perfect opportunity to turn the dream into reality and after selling their beloved house, they left the leafy suburbs of south-west London in August 2009. Their worldly possessions were packed up on the back of a truck and with barely a word of French between them, the family headed south to a small village called Cotignac, in the heart of Provence.

The Cronks spent a year getting their bearings, learning to live the provençal way, as Stephen was criss-crossing the country researching and finding the best vineyards to work with. The next step was setting up a small wine business with the principle objective of making a Provence rosé that would be regarded as one of the very best from the region, while building a brand that people would grow to love. In order to achieve this aim, they put together a highly experienced winemaking team and threw their heart and soul into the brand and innovative communications with their customers. Mirabeau is now being sold in more than 30 markets, has won medals and earned acclaim from some of the world’s toughest wine critics, but what really makes Stephen happiest is that their wines are an integral part of people having a great time together.

Read more about the Mirabeau Wine story here.