Moustiers Sainte-Marie village in Haute Provence

Hanging on the cliff, Moustiers Sainte-Marie looks remarkably like a Provençal village from a fairy tale or a Christmas nativity scene. The village is located in Haute Provence, near the Lake of Sainte-Croix, at the entrance of the Gorges du Verdon and the foot of the Valensole plateau, covered with lavender fields. Moustiers is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful villages in Provence.

Moustiers was founded by monks in the 5th century who settled in caves in the cliffs and founded a monastery. A village developed, well sheltered by the ramparts, it became an important trading center in the region.

The Church of Our Lady is at the heart of the old village, built in the 12th century. Its unusual square bell tower flanked by four Romanesque bays emerges above the roofs. The second village church is the chapel of Notre-Dame de Beauvoir, it is at the top of the cliff at the top of the village, one must climb the 262 steps along a steep path to reach it, and admire the beautiful view over the plains and the Valensole, while on the left the Lake of Sainte-Croix is visible.

Between the cliffs, a star is suspended by a heavy chain above the village. According to legend, the Chevalier de Blacas prisoner of the Saracens during the Crusades, vowed to the Virgin Mary to hang above the village a star on his return. He was released and he kept his word and his promise lasted for more than 800 years.

Moustiers-Sainte-Marie has retained an active earthenware industry, galleries, craft workshops and artists abound in the picturesque streets of the old village. A museum traces the history of pottery and reveals the secrets of this centuries-old craft.

Accommodation

Selection of bed and breakfast near Moustiers Sainte-Marie and the gorges du Verdon on the portal of guest houses in Provence

Coming to Moustiers Sainte-Marie

GPS coordinates 43°50'54'' N - 6°13'19'' E

Location : 700 inhabitants, 600 metres above sea level, 4 miles from Lac de Sainte-Croix, 6 miles from Gorges du Verdon, 9 miles from Aiguines, 18 miles from Valensole, 19 miles from Bauduen, 23 miles from Trigance, 31 miles from Manosque, 35 miles from Forcalquier, 60 miles from Aix-en-Provence