Photo : Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Plateau de Valensole
The Valensole plateau is a natural region of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, south-west of Digne-les-Bains. It extends over about 800 km², at an average altitude of 500 metres, between the Durance valley, the Asse valley and the Verdon gorges with Lac de Sainte-Croix. It groups 23 communes, including Valensole, Riez, Les Mées and Gréoux-les-Bains, and its climate is Mediterranean with mountain influence, with hot, dry summers and many storms.
It is farming land, sometimes nicknamed the region's granary, where lavandin is mainly grown, but also cereals, truffles and almond trees. The lavender and lavandin fields in bloom, from late June to early August, make it one of the symbols of Provence and attract photographers and travellers. The rest of the year, the plateau keeps a rural face, crossed by pleasant small roads for a drive.
