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Home > Discover the Alpes de Haute-Provence > Towns, small towns and typical villages > Riez
Riez
The most ancient town in the Alpes de Haute-Provence | TOURIST INFORMATION |
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 MORE ABOUT THIS "VILLE DE CARACTERE"In the heart of the Verdon Natural Regional Park, on the limit between warm and quiet Provence and the first mountains of the Alps, Riez, listed « Village et Cité de Caractère » and whose origin dates back to pre-Roman times, invites you to discover its archaeological wealth, its listed monuments and its history.
A history linked to its location at the foot of a flat hill which overlooks the confluence of three valleys with their temperamental rivers, corridors used as early as the Roman High-Empire to cross the Valensole plateau which covers 800 km².
In the middle of fields of lavender and grain with their almond trees and truffle bearing oaks, you can enjoy its alleys in the shade of hundred-year old plane trees, the babble of its nine fountains and wash-houses and its variety of shops, crafts and regional produce with the flavour of Provence, such as truffles, honey or game.
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HERITAGE |
- Hôtel de Mazan : the staircase dates back to 1523 and is a work of art. It was built around a central hollowed-out core, surrounded by 4 elegantly-twisted columns, with groined vaulting resting on two bases decorated with imaginary animals. These are the oldest plaster decorations in Provence (XVIth century).
- Baptistery : built in Vth century on the ruins of the Roman spa with the use of more ancient materials, this work is one of the rare Paleochristian buildings in Provence, even though its cupola was rebuilt in XIIth century. There are only two other similar monuments, in Fréjus (Var) and Albanga (Italy).
- Roman columns : four columns in monolithic granite, with sculpted architrave, which are the remains of a temple erected in 1st century AD to worship Apollo.
- Chapel of Sainte-Maxime : XVIIth century.
- Porte Sanson or Saint Sols (Gates) : XVIth century.
- Porte Ayguière : XVIth century.
- Clock Tower : XVIth century.
- Fountains : six fountains.
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MUSEUMS |
- Musée Nature en Provence : an astonishing collection of over 2.000 fossiles and minerals (ammonites, cristals, fossiles of insects). Open all year round during Bureau du Tourisme opening hours.
- Musée lapidaire (Stone museum).
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ACTIVITIES - FACILITIES |
- Equipped walking and mountain-bike trails.
- Tennis.
- Riding.
- Gliding platform in Puimoisson : 10 km away.
- Fitness trail
- Childrens' games area.
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MAIN EVENTS |
- Provencal markets : Wednesdays and Saturdays.
- Great fairs : 18th May and 14th September.
- Whitsun Fair.
- Fête de la Transhumance (sheep transhumance fair) : June.
- Renaissance costumed festival : July.
- Fête votive : 15th August.
- Fête du Blé (Wheat Festival) : August.
- Riez en fête : end of October.
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THE GYPSUM ROAD | From Riez to Saint-Jurs, this theme road takes you on a trip to discover how plaster is made. In Riez, a trail through the old town gives you a wide view of the wealth of decoration and 'gypseries' on the facades.
In the Hôtel de Mazan, the plaster decorated staircase is unique, and there is the splendid Madeleine fireplace in the Town Hall. Explanations are given on boards along the route as well as a booklet giving more detail (available from the Bureau du Tourisme).
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VILLAGES AROUND |
- Allemagne-en-Provence : on the road to the Gorges du Verdon and the lake of Esparron, a village with its superb medieval castle. List of SELF-CATERING GITES in the district.
- Esparron-de-Verdon : hidden but not wild, the lake of Esparron-de-Verdon lies at the entrance to the Southern Gorges du Verdon at the foot of the perched village. The castle, the XIth century tower and the old picturesque houses are reflected in the turquoise waters of the lake which is the most natural-looking of the artificial lakes. List of SELF-CATERING GITES in the district.
- Montagnac-Montpezat : a charming quiet little village that nothing disturbs apart from its truffle-market in January: a major event for those who know it only under the name of Montagnac-les-Truffes! List of SELF-CATERING GITES in the district.
- Puimoisson : right in the middle of the fields of lavender and grain and looking down on the Auvestre valley, Puimoisson is a calm little village. Art workshops and gliding platform. List of SELF-CATERING GITES in the district.
- Quinson : inhabited since the dawn of Mankind, under the limestone cliffs of the Basses Gorges, the village will delight hikers, climbers, lovers of imposing landscapes, water sports, and Prehistory with the department's Museum which is the biggest in Europe. List of SELF-CATERING GITES in the district.
- Roumoules : its name comes from « Romolea », little Rome, because, like the Italian capital, Roumoules is surrounded by 7 collines. Truffles, honey and the semll of lavender which is still distilled here pervade. List of SELF-CATERING GITES in the district.
- Saint-Laurent-du-Verdon : at the southern limit of the department, this quiet little village lives at the rhythm of the green and quiet waters of the Verdon. List of SELF-CATERING GITES in the district.
- Saint-Jurs : little village perched on a spur, Saint-Jurs is the highest village on the Valensole plateau, surrounded by a splendid natural environment whcih is typical of Haute-Provence at the foot of the beautiful Mont-Denier forest. List of SELF-CATERING GITES in the district.
- Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon : village built on a rocky promontory overlooking a magnificent lake which is 14 km long and 2 km wide for a total surface area of 2.200 m². List of SELF-CATERING GITES in the district.
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OTHER INFORMATION |
- Altitude : 525 m.
- Population : 1.667 inhabitants.
- To get here : A51 motorway, Manosque exit then Valensole and Riez by D6.
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