The Verdon's romantic oasis

TOURIST INFORMATION

• Gréoux les Bains Tourist Office : Tel. 04.92.78.01.08. 
  
• See also : Manosque, Riez.

MORE ABOUT GREOUX

HERITAGE

• Notre Dame des Ormeaux : Romanesque architecture, built in XIth century to mid-XIIth century, various transformations from XIVth to XVIth century in a Gothic style. The 1821 belfry was built with the stones from the Saint-Sébastien gate, one of the 4 gates in the XVIth century rampart.
  
• Chapelle Saint-Sébastien : erected in honour of the patron saint of the village, it is no longer a place of worship but is sometimes used for exhibitions.
  
• Chapelle Sainte-Croix : built between 1696 and 1700, its origin doubtless dates back to the capucins of Riez.
  
• XIIIth century rampart : it only protected the Castle and its buildings, the houses were built outside this enclosure. The Vieil Horloge gate is best example and the Castelet gate, just behind it housed the administration and the Lord's trusted men.
  
• XVIth century Rampart : this surrounded the whole town but only the Valensole Gate is still visible. The rue des Remparts is part of its layout. Passage de l’Hôpital : passage hewn from the rock where the pilgrims could find shelter and a bowl of soup offered by the religious order.
  
• Rue Rompe Cuou : literally « Break Bottom », this street was paved with Verdon pebbles which were very slippery from having been polished by the water.
  
• Rue Esquichecoude : so narrow that you can touch each side with your elbows.

WORTH A VISIT

• Le Petit Monde d’Emilie : childhood memories in this museum-workshop which has 148 dolls on show from the Middle Ages to nowadays, along with tin soldiers, electric trains, etc. Open from Monday to Friday (except holidays) from 3.30pm to 7pm. Courses and groups by appointment. Tel. 04.92.78.16.52. ou 06.84.62.71.23.
  
• Musée du Santon « The Crib in Haute Provence » : around 1.000 santons in their Provencal leur village with son et lumière tracing rural life in XIXth century, permanent exhibition of cribs from all over the world. Open all year round from Tuesday to Friday (except holidays) from 10am to 12 and from 3 to 5.30pm, in July and August from Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 12 and from 3pm to 7pm. Tel. 04.92.77.61.08. ou 06.81.52.02.87.
  
• Château des Templiers (Templars Castle) : every month, from March to November, a new exhibition to discover. Open every day (except Tuesday) from 3.30pm to 6.30pm. Entrance free.
  
• Parks : contemporary art is leaving museums to be exhibited in the Morelon, Oliva and Thermal parks, in certain hotels and on the banks of the Verdon. Out-of-the-ordinary walks through works from the imaginations of around 40 sculptors and painters from all over the palce. Parks open every day, from May to October. Entrance free.
  
• Parc Animalier Domestique (tame animals) : 250 animals to discover on foot or on a pony. Tel. 04.92.78.88.25

ACTIVITIES - FACILITIES

• Swimming pool and "Le colombier " leisure centre : swimming bool, beach-volley, badminton, ping-pong, swimming and aquagym lessons, events. Open every day from 9am to 7pm from beginning of June to mid-September. Tel. 04.92.78.19.33.
  
• Riding centres. Tel. 04.92.78.84.14. or 04.92.78.08.16.
  
• Tennis club « la Balle Jaune ». Tel. 04.92.78.07.67.
  
• Parcours Santé (health and fitness route) : along the banks of the Verdon.
  
• City Stade.
  
• Parcours aérien (treetop adventure playground). Tel. 06.89.98.69.29.  « No Kill » fishing route : Tel. 04.92.78.01.08.
  
• Cinéma le Félibrige : national release and « Art et Essai ». Tel. 04.92.78.13.25. In July and August, open-air films in the courtyard of the Château des Templiers. 
  
• Bibliothèque Pour Tous (library).
  
• Médiathèque (medialibrary).

FOR THE FAMILY

• « Lei Meïna » day care centre : from 3 months to 4 years old. Tel. 04.92.74.27.29.
  
• Open-air centre : from 4 to 12, open in school holidays. Tel. 04.92.78.13.36.
  
• Espace jeunes : from 12 to 17. Tel. 04.92.78.15.39
  

THE SPA ESTABLISHMENT

CASINO

"Verdon des Collines" mountain-bike label site

MAIN EVENTS

• Provencal market : Tuesday and Thursday morning.
  
• Musical Sundays : free popular song concerts, jazz, classical, world music, accordeon. Every Sunday from May to October.
  
• Les Nocturnes : market, crafts, street shows… In July and august, every Friday from 7 to 11pm.
  
• Fête des Enfants (children's festival) : games, inflatable structures, stands, songs... April.
  
• Foire du 1e mai (1st May Festival) : rue Grande and avenue des Marronniers.
  
• Fête de l’Eau (water festival) : shows, conferences, exhibitions, demonstrations. June.
  
• Fête votive : end of June or beginning of July.
  
• Nuits du Château : theatre, music, shows. In July and August.
  
• Festival de scrabble : July.
  
• Salon International des Jouets, Miniatures et Poupées du Monde (toys, miniatures and dolls from all over the world) : exhibition, sales, swaps. July.
  
• 14th July Fireworks : from Château des Templiers
  
• Les Boucles du Verdon : one of the oldest cycle-touring races in France with over 1.000 cyclists every year. Beginning of September.
  
• Salon des Antiquaires (Antiques Fair) : exhibiting and sale. September.
  
• Foire aux Santons : sale, workshops, traditional dancing, storytelling, theme hikes, Christmas traditions in Provence. November.

NEARBY

• Lake of Esparron : hidden but not wild, the Lake of Esparron lies at the entrance to the Southern Verdon Gorges at the foot of the perched village. The castle, the XIth century tower and old picturesque houses are reflected in the turquoise water of the lake, which is the most natural-looking of all the artificial lakes.
  
• Club Nautique d’Esparron (sailing club). Tel. 04.92.77.15.25.
  
• Notre-Dame des Œufs : hidden away in the monts du Haut Var, tradition had it that barren women could cure by going there with an egg in each hand on Easter monday. They swallowed one egg, buried the other and become fertile if they found the egg whole when they came for the 2nd pilgrimage on 8th September.
  
• Saint-Martin-de-Brômes  : typical old village dominated by a Romanesque church and tower which house an archaeological museum. Visit the village by wandering along its narrow streets and see the beautifully restored old houses.

OTHER INFORMATION

• Altitude : 365 m.
  
• Population: 2.455 inhabitants.
  
• To get here:
  
  • by road : A51 motorway exit 17 (Vinon-sur-Verdon) or 18 Manosque.
    
• by train : Manosque SNCF station or Aix en Provence TGV station (links by bus)