Castellane and its neighbourhoods

When you come in sight of castellane with its little houses squatted at the foot of a 184m high calcareous crag, it looks as if it has been placed in the safe custody of notre dame du roc chapel which rises at its top.

Castellane  Downtown Castellane is focused around the Marcel Sauvaire square, the center of local activity. Strolling about one can discover narrow streets, (some of which are pedestrian), leading to shops or other more mysterious places. You will admire the whole of the town from the terrace of Notre Dame du Roc. One reaches this chapel after walking along what remains of the 14th century walls of the city. There is also a beautiful view of the ramparts, the Napoleon Bridge and the Verdon Canyons.  Historic sites to see: Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions, the ruins ot petra castellana, St. Victor's Churc, the ramparts and the Pentagonal Tower.

Rougon  Situated in the heart of the Gorges du Verdon in the middle of the Regional Natural Park of the Verdon, the commune of Rougon is set in a rugged landscape spreading on each bank of the river. The highest point « Mourre de Chanier », dominates dry meadows reminiscent of the Northern Alps. Lower down, the Mediteranean vegetation takes over, comprising gorse, box-wood, thyme, lavender, etc ... In the gorge itself, a micro-climate creates a different vegetation again. Here as elsewhere agriculture is in crisis. However, sheep farming is still carried on. The village itself has preserved its character and offers apart from the magnificent views the pleasure of wandering the picturesque narrow streets. Not to be missed, the chapel of St-Christophe (cf pic), 200 meters before the village.

La garde  La Garde owes its name to the watch-tower that stood in the village in the 12th century. In a quite marvellous setting of verdant fields, wooded hills and gigantic vertical cliffs, surrounded by high poplars and majestic fir trees, the little village of La Garde has conserved the authentic atmosphere of a medieval settlement, with its lopsided streets, covered passageways, quirky stone façades sometimes repainted with pastel colours, etc. Just outside the village, overlooking a vast prairie, stands a rather surprising chapel all by itself, with a green tiled bell-tower, and sturdy chimes that ring out every hour.  Visit also of the Parrair waterfall in the south of the village.

Peyroules  Peyroules is not a village, but the union of three hamlets situated in a long valley surrounded by mountains and hillsides.A small road climbs up through the three settlements. As you cross the forests and fields, you will discover some surprising sites of eroded black schiste.  Visit of: Ruins of the ancient village (20 minutes walk from Peyroules) on the Teillon.

Demandolx  Against the backdrop of the rocky barrier of Crémon, the village of Demandolx overlooks the lakes of Chaudanne and Castillon, offering a magnificent panorama reminiscent of the Norwegian fjords, where the deep blue of the lakes shimmers in the green setting of the mountains. Take one of the miniscule alleyways in the old centre and you'll take a journey through time, between the old barns, either beautifully restored or abandoned.  Visit of the Castle's ruins

The castillon lake  Day dedicated to sport and leisure.  The Castillon lake is 8 km. long with a surface of 500 ha.Water activities: canoeing, kayaking, sailing, wind-surfing, water skiing, water scooters, pedal boats.

Soleilhas  Soleilhas is nestled in a valley completely surrounded by mountains and forests and overlooksan immense plain bordered by the river Esteron. The name "Soleilhas" can be translated as meaning "Looking at the sun", and that is exactly what it does.Here you will discover sloping narrow streets, fountains, ancient stone staircases and beautiful houses mounting up the streets.  Visit : the medieval parish church, enlarged in the 17th century, the Chapel St. Pierre in Hameau des Colettes.