Races in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence

Surrounded by the departments of the Alpes-Maritimes, the Drôme, the Var, the Vaucluse, and the Hautes-Alpes, the 04 is one of the largest departments in the country. From the refreshing Lac de Serre-Ponçon to Dignes-les-Bain, the capital of Lavender, the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence harbor 1001 wonders 😍. Whether you're into water sports, hiking, fine dining, or history, the department will show you a rainbow of experiences: lakes, mountains, or enchanted villages — come and follow in Napoléon's footsteps in this four-seasons territory.

In the north of the department, the citadel of Sisteron is what we call a 'must-see'. A high point of local history and even labeled as one of the 'most beautiful detours in France', the 'Pearl of Haute-Provence' dominates the Provençal landscape ☀️. Like it, the villages of the department vie in beauty. There's Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, listed among the most beautiful villages in France, the breathtaking hanging village of Rougon, Barcelonnette, which offers a unique syncretism between Celtic and Roman influences, or even Castellane, with its Notre-Dame Chapel dominating the town.

Further south, turquoise water mixes with lush nature — no, you're not in Corsica yet (although the port of Nice that takes you to Bastia isn't that far! ⛵️). Here is the Verdon Regional Natural Park: it's where you can swim in Lac de Sainte-Croix or in Lac d'Esparron-de-Verdon, go canyoning in the famous Verdon Gorges or snap your next Instagram photo on the colorful plateau of Valensole. Also consider working on those inclines in the Mercantour National Park, one of the eleven national parks in France, which spans between the departments of the Alpes-Maritimes and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.

With more than 6,600 km of developed trails, is there a better place to satisfy your running cravings? With the Lavender Routes, the labeled village route featuring no fewer than 12 character-filled towns, the Train des Pignes route, or the Great Alps route, the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence offer a unique array of options to work out your calves 🥵. The summit of Lure, Les Mourres de Forcalquier, and Les Gorges de la Méouge are among the many Nordic walking trails that guarantee a change of scenery. And if you're a trail lover, the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence is truly meant for you with 34 specially designed routes! Don't forget your thirst for competition. Come smash your records or simply enjoy beautiful landscapes during the many local competitions in the 04: Kilomètre Vertical du Blayeu, Trail des Cathelières, L’Ubaye Trail Salomon and its Snow version, or the Haute-Provence Trail are truly local highlights 🏃‍♂️.

And after visiting the Abbey of Ganagobie or the Faïence Museum in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, it will be the perfect time to have a small glass of Henri Bardouin pastis in Forcalquier (and we did mean only one! 👀) before enjoying Sisteron's lamb with Provence herbs and a little cheese from Banon. Don't forget to bring granny a jar of that lavender honey produced in Digne-les-Bains, a world benchmark.

Feel like you're in another world? That's normal! It was at the Haute-Provence observatory, the largest in Europe, where the first exoplanet was discovered in 1995. Don't tell Steven Spielberg that ET has a southern accent, he'd think you're crazy! 🚀