A landscape you don't stumble upon.
Saint-Jurs sits in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence — on the eastern edge of the Valensole plateau, at the threshold of the Verdon.
The country between lavender and gorges is surprisingly empty. Holidaying here gives you what the coast long since lost: silence, clear air, star-bright nights.
Plateau de Valensole
Arguably France's best-known lavender landscape begins two minutes from our doorstep. Peak bloom runs from late June to mid-July. Early risers have the fields to themselves. Late arrivals catch the mowing — also a beautiful picture.
Gorges du Verdon
Half an hour to the east begins one of Europe's deepest canyons. The Lac de Sainte-Croix with its electric pedalos at the entrance is famous, but the quieter spots lie further up: Point Sublime, Couloir Samson, La Palud-sur-Verdon.
Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
One of France's "most beautiful villages", 25 minutes away. Known for its faïence ceramics and the gilded star that has hung between two rocks above the village since the 13th century.
Riez and its market
Wednesdays and Saturdays: one of the region's finest weekly markets. Local tomatoes, alpine cheese, lavender honey, olive oil, truffles in winter.
Further afield
- Aix-en-Provence — 1 hour
- Marseille and airport — 1 h 45
- Nice — 2 hours
- Avignon — 1 h 30
- TGV station, Aix-en-Provence — 1 hour
Our travel guide for you
From the questions guests ask us we’ve put together a small, honest travel guide for the region — not yet another TripAdvisor extract, just the addresses we ourselves recommend when someone asks at the breakfast table.
What’s inside:
- Markets in the region with weekdays and specialities
- Restaurants in Saint-Jurs, Moustiers, Riez, Gréoux-les-Bains — from a simple lunch to a starred kitchen
- Lavender — the honest fields, the best times of day, peak bloom 2026
- Hikes — four routes, from a Sunday stroll to a full day in the Verdon
- Swimming spots in the Verdon and Lac de Sainte-Croix
- Winegrowers and olive mills to visit and taste
- What you don’t need — tourist traps we’ll spare you
- A list of weeks when we’d be here ourselves, and weeks that won’t be much fun
If you’d like more, sign up for the newsletter below — you’ll receive the guide as a PDF, either after booking or up front in exchange for your email.
Travel notes from Provence
Insider picks for markets, hidden corners and the right week for the lavender — straight to your inbox.
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