Alpes-de-Haute-Provence Department
Alpes-de-Haute-Provence is a mountainous region with peaks over 8,000 feet. The climate is very dry and arid and but irrigation allows for a prosperous fruit-growing industry.
It is surrounded by the French departments of Hautes-Alpes, Alpes-Maritimes, Var, Vaucluse, and Drôme, as well as Italy.
Rivers include: Durance, Verdon, Bléone, Ubaye, Var, Buëch, Jabron, Largue.
Attractions in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
The beautiful scenery provides the background to many activities and sights. Eleven villages have been classified as having special architectural character. In particular there are:
The town of Sisteron with its ancient citadel and narrow streets
- The Gorge of Verdon (Europe’s Grand Canyon)
- Dignes-les-Baines Hot-spa town
- Moustiers-Ste-Marie Pottery
In summer many aerial sports use the surrounding mountains such as gliding, hang gliding and paragliding. In winter there is extensive ski-ing at eleven ski resorts.