Haut-Var & Verdon

Local concierge: Haut-Var, Cotignac, Aups and Verdon Gorges

The Haut-Var, between the coast and the Verdon Gorges, is the secret face of the department: lavender plateaus, perched villages, vineyards, truffle markets, dramatic gorges. A change of scenery 45 minutes from the Mediterranean.

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In-depth guide

Everything we coordinate in Haut-Var & Verdon.

Cotignac, a Provençal village perched at the foot of a tufa cliff dotted with troglodyte caves, ranks among the most beautiful villages in Provence. Its weekly market (Tuesday), terraces in plane-tree shade, cafés in the old town, vineyards in the surroundings (Cotignac AOP) — Cotignac concentrates everything we love about hinterland Provence in 15 square kilometres.

Aups, the truffle capital, lives at the rhythm of its winter Thursday market (mid-November to mid-March). The truffle hunt (rabasse, in Provençal) with a trifolau and his dog, followed by lunch in a village restaurant where everything is centred on the black diamond, is one of our most beloved experiences. Salernes for its earthenware (Provence's largest tile heritage), Lorgues for Saturday's Provençal market.

The Verdon Gorges, France's largest canyon, stretch 25 km between Castellane and Lac de Sainte-Croix. Walls 700m high, turquoise river, terrifying drops and pristine beaches at Pont du Galetas. A cliff drive (Route des Crêtes), a kayak/pedal-boat ride on Lac de Sainte-Croix, a hike on the Sentier de l'Imbut — three different ways to experience the place.

Lac de Sainte-Croix, at the gorges' downstream end, offers cooler bathing (cold mountain water) in a fjord setting. Around the lake, the perched villages of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie (Provence pottery), Aiguines (forestry village), and Bauduen (lakeside) close the loop perfectly.

All our services in this zone

Our six expertise areas available here.

Watersports

Boats, jet-ski, paddle, diving, sailing

Day trips

Islands, Verdon, calanques, sunset

Food & wine

Restaurants, vineyards, private chef

Wellness

Spa, yoga, golf, hiking, tennis

Hen & stag parties

Hen, stag, events, privatisations

Villa rentals

Villas, apartments, partner hotels

Frequently asked questions

Our answers about Haut-Var & Verdon.

Stay in Haut-Var or commute from the coast?

It depends on time and weather. For 1-2 nights, a bastide stay in the Haut-Var (Cotignac, Lorgues) is worth it. For a day trip from the coast, allow 4h round trip + 4-5h on site — better with one overnight.

Is the Verdon a must-see?

For nature, hiking, kayaking lovers — yes. The dimensions of the gorges are unique in France. Ideal in late spring (May-June) for full waterfalls and pleasant weather. In summer, busier, less water.

Truffles — what season, how much?

Black truffle season: from mid-November to mid-March. The Aups market opens Thursdays at 9am. Truffle prices: €600-1200/kg fresh. Truffle hunting + lunch: around €120/person.

Where to eat in Haut-Var?

Hostellerie de l'Abbaye de la Celle (1 Michelin star), Bruno in Lorgues (truffle), Chez Bruno in Cotignac, the Auberge Provençale in Aups in truffle season. We book at the right time.