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Home > Discover the Alpes de Haute-Provence > Towns, small towns and typical villages > Valensole

Valensole

Lavender country in the Verdon

TOURIST INFORMATION

Valensole Tourist Office : Tel. 04.92.74.90.02.
See also : Riez, Oraison, Manosque.

See list of SELF-CATERING GITES in the district

VALENSOLE AND ITS PLATEAUX

In March, the almond-trees in flower are set off against the backdrop of the snowy peaks of the Alps. In July, the multiple blues of the waves of lavender alternate with golden fields of wheat. In November, the plowed ochre-colured fields with their different shades stand out against the pure deep-blue of the winter sky.

Ath the very beginning of the Verdon Natural Regional park, nestled in a fold of the plateau which bears the same name, Valensole its serene beauty and a lively sunny, calm, measured everyday life all year round.

The village bears its name well : from the latin vallis and solis, it is literally int the heart of a sun valley ! Built in a circular style in VIIIth or XIXth century, fixed like a swallow's nest to the side of a hill which shelters it from the mistral, its old streets have over the centuries, perpetuated a whole way of life which is typical of Haute-Provence.You will appreciate the regional produce such as goat's cheese and ewe's cheese, lavender or almond paté, oilve oil, truffles, and above all honey with its subtle and delicate taste for which the 15 districts of the plateau de Valensole is on eof the 100 Sites Remarquables du Goût in France...

HERITAGE

Guided tours of the village. Tel. 04.92.74.90.02.
Old town : little interlaced streets, several centuries of history.
XIIIth century church.
Fountains and wash-houses.
Doors and knockers, ramparts.
Fédération Clunisienne : created in Valensole for the millenium of Saint-Mayeul, 3rd Great abbot of cluny, born in Valensole in 910.

WORTH A VISIT

The Plateau de Valensole in a horse-drawn carriage : fauna, flora, lavander, heritage. Tel. 04.92.74.90.02.
Musée de l'Abeille (Bee Museum) : Tel. 04.92.74.85.28.
Distillerie de lavande : presentation of the farm, tour of the distillery, explanations of growing , cutting and distilling, video-show, exhibition and sale of products, distillation in the season (from 15th July to 15th August), groups all year round. Tel. 04.92.74.80.53.

ACTIVITIES - FACILITIES

Swimming-pool : open from mid-June to beginning of September from 10.30am to 7pm. Tel. 04.92.74.83.07.
Walking and mountain-bike trails.
Tennis courts.
Riding centres.
Football ground and basketball court.

FOR THE FAMILY

Crèche / day centre la Ribambelle. Tel. 04.92.74.89.89.
Day camp : 4 to 12. Tel. 04.92.72.62.46.
Sac Ados : 12 to 17. Tel. 04.92.74.33.96.

MAIN EVENTS

Provencal markets : Wednesday and Saturday morning on the Promenade.
Fête de la Trinité : May or June.
Fête de la Saint-Jean : village feast-day.
Fête de la Saint-Eloi : jday dedicated to th ehorse and horse-related professions. June.
Fête de la Lavande : visit of lavender fields and distilleries. July.
Espace du Livre : regional and national writers. August.
Soirée du Goût : preparation and sampling of different products. October.

VILLAGES AROUND

Brunet : built on the side of the hill above the Asse plain. Olive groves, fields of lavender and grain, fruit and vegetables. Fishing lake. List of SELF-CATERING GITES lin the district.
Saint-Jurs : highest village on the Plateau at 925 m, rich heritage and 5 former gypsum quarries mined in XIXth century. List of SELF-CATERING GITES lin the district.

OTHER INFORMATION

Altitude : 600 m.
Population : 2.360 inhabitants.
To get here :
- byr route : A51 motorway Manosque exit and D6.
- by train : Manosque SNCF station, Aix en Provence TGV station.

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