L'Ôasis de Provence

These serene green settings are a few minutes' drive from Niozelles, a comely Provence village in the Beveron valley. From here, it's only a kilometre or so to Forcalquier, the ancient town surrounded by lavender and olive groves that in Roman empire days of yore was a vital point of the trade route between Italy and Spain. For spectacular views over the Provence landscape, trek behind the 12th-century cathedral of Forcalquier to its Old Town, then take the path up the hill to reach the citadel and the Chapel of Notre-Dame-de-Provence. Back in town, turn right to reach the cloisters of the 13th-century Convent of the Cordeliers, or make sure your Forcalquier wander is on a Monday, for the famed and lively market. From Forcalquier, drive east to Lurs, high on a ridge above the olive groves of the Durance valley, and west to Oppedette, for the deep Gorges d'Oppedette and their three hiking trails. Further afield, in the opposite direction from Forcalquier, a drive of an hour and a half will take you to the spectacular Gorges du Verdon, for hiking, rafting, kayaking and some of the most splendid scenery you'll see anywhere in the region.