Natural Crafts Alpes-De-Haute-Provence

Ten minutes from the Motorway exit n°18 Manosque, on the Valensole and the road of Gorges du Verdon, the Angelvin family welcomes you for four generations on its farm of the lavender. It is possible, for individuals, visit the distillery during harvest. As for groups, visits are organised throughout the year on appointment from fifteen people. You will receive a remarkable video projection commented in several languages making the evolution in the way of collecting lavender since 1970 to today. In the shop open all year that offers the possibility of mail order selling, you will discover essential oils, flowers, soaps and other local products are carefully selected. A warm and professional enthusiasts with meetings and exchanges with the producer. Enjoy the exceptional view that is offered on a sea lavender as far as the eye can see.

Once you arrive at the bottom of the Estoublasse Valley, a parking lot allows you to park your car to reach the river on foot. For the more lazy or those who don't want to wait for bathing, many basins basins will allow you to cool off immediately. For those who like to walk a little, many trails set by the NFB lead to the heart of the gorge. Among other things, a 2-hour loop is easy to discover this canyon, 200 m deep in places. The gorges are classified as "biological reserves" and are a refuge area for many animal and plant species. A stroke of heart for lovers of nature!

The botanical path of Esparron, created in 1990, forms a loop of about 6 km, with 204 m of difference in altitude. From the south of the village, it joins the entrance of the gorges of Bas Verdon through wooded hillsides, then returns to Esparron following the banks of the lake. It is marked by yellow lines on the trees or rocks. Take the time (2 to 3 hours) to admire the biodiversity of its vegetation through about fifteen stops with didactic panels that will describe the plants encountered. Be careful with the cliffs. This trail should be avoided in hot weather.

The Massif massif is one of the most magnificent natural sites in the area of Digne-les-Bains. A route of the Grande Traversée de Des Des (WGIP) leads from the Col de Pierre-Basse to the summit of the Pas-de-le-faille where the landscape is unforgettable. A yellow and green markup allows to reach the village of Des. Here harvesting and hunting are strictly forbidden to protect rare species. 

Climbing up to the great bare summits of the Lure mountain is a must during your stay in the area. Dominating the Pays de Forcalquier on its southern side and the deep Jabron valley on its northern side, classified as a Unesco Biosphere Reserve, the Lure mountain culminates at 1,826 m and extends over a length of about fifty kilometres. A picturesque road allows you to cross it from one side to the other, passing by the resort, much to the delight of seasoned cyclists. It is entirely reserved for them on Mondays in summer. Hiking trails also allow you to get there on foot, through the woods, from the small village of Saint-Etienne-les-Orgues. Once you are up there, you will enjoy an exceptional 360° panorama of varied landscapes: Mont Ventoux, Vercors, Cévennes, Southern Alps and even, if the sky is clear, the Mediterranean coast. Between the Southern Alps and the Mediterranean, an exceptional vegetation has developed whose flora, long exploited, is today left to the appreciation of numerous flocks of sheep. A little lower down (around 1,600 m), the resort of Lure offers themed hiking trails (5 senses, planets...) and numerous activities throughout the seasons: scooters on grass, tubbing (downhill on inflatable buoys), mountain biking, astronomy sessions in the summer, sledging, snowshoeing, skiing... in winter. Note: it is possible to eat and sleep on site.

This lake is less known than those of Sainte-Croix or Esparron, but it is worth a visit. Generated by the dam of Gréoux, this water retention created a lake of nearly 13 km length, which has kept a wild aspect. Formerly a narrow canyon invaded by water, it widens a little in places. You can also appreciate the caves in the cliffs, by going there by boat. It is also the departure to go up the low gorges in electric boats or canoe for the most courageous! What to take full of eyes! Very nice place to picnic.