Destination Ailleurs

Destination Ailleurs is in a prime position for a lot of things, but the open-air explores to be had in the surrounding hills are really something special – the GR 4 passes through La Garde (10 minutes' drive) if you're up for high-altitude hikes, while shorter strolls can be had along some of the prettiest bits of the Gorges du Verdon on the Sentier Blanc-Martel (an hour). Carry yourself off to Castellane (20 minutes) for further sporty times (take your pick from kayaking, rafting and canyoning) or, for those who fancy a break from physical exertion, to peruse the town's speciality museums (nature, the Resistance and Citroën each have an exhibition of their own). Lakeside lounging on the wish list too? The emerald-green Lac de Chaudanne (20 minutes) and Lac de Castillon (25 minutes) are both within easy reach – the former is home to scaly carp and tasty trout that can be caught (in season and with a licence, bien sûr), while the latter has a brill bathing beach at Saint-André-les-Alpes (45 minutes).