Gréoux and the Chateau des Templiers
GREOUX LES BAINS
Gréoux-les-Bains is an ancient Roman spa town, situated on the banks of the Verdon River in the Provence Alps. The town has been known throughout its history for its hot mineral springs. It is near the Lac d’Esparron, an artificial lake formed by the Barrage de Gréoux (Gréoux dam)
The town is overlooked by the impressive Chateau des Templiers (Templar’s Castle). Dating from the 1200s, it was given in the 14th century to the Knights Hospitaliers of St. John.
White water at the Barrage de Gréoux
Riverbank near Gréoux
AIGUINES
Square and fountain in Aiguines
The village of Aiguines is situated at the entrance to the Gorges du Verdon, overlooking the turquoise waters of the Sainte-Croix lake.
The Gorges du Verdon is the biggest canyon in Europe, 50 km long and up to 700m deep. The village itself has around 250 inhabitants. Near the village is an impressive castle, that was mentioned historically down as far as the Middle Ages, although its exact date of construction is not known.
Like the lake at Gréoux, the St-Croix is an artificial lake that supplies drinking water to a large part of the region.
Chateau at Aiguines
Aiguines with the Lac de Sainte Croix in the background
MOUSTIERS SAINTE MARIE
Bell tower in Moustiers Sainte Marie
Moustiers is a village in the Verdon National Park; also on the banks of the Ste Croix lake, it is known for its ceramic work. There are traces of human settlement in Moustiers dating back 30,000 years to the Bronze age; the settlement of the current village started in the 5th century.
Moustiers is a typical Provençal village, with winding narrow streets and shaded squares with stone fountains. The church in the village is listed as a historic monument, dating from the 12th century. The village is situated in front of a cliff, from which a spring gushes down to a waterfall.
Waterfall in Moustiers Sainte Marie
France Outdoors 