14 Essential Questions about Moustiers-Sainte-Marie


Mis à jour le 02/06/2021

1. What’s the origin of the name « Moustiers-Sainte-Marie » ?

The name comes from the latin word « monastery ». Monks from the Lérins Abbey settled in the limestone caves in the 5th century and founded a monastery. « Sainte-Marie » refers to the Virgin. The « S » at the end of the name implies a plurial for there were several monasteries : one of Lérins and the other one of Saint-Victor. 1848 is the year the village becomes « Moustiers-Sainte-Marie » as we go tour first post office and had to differentiate us from other "Moustiers" in France.


2. Where is located Moustiers-Sainte-Marie ?

The village is in the Alpes de Haute Provence (04) ; in the Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur Region. Moustiers is at the heart of the UNESCO Géoparc and the Verdon Natural Park. We are close from wide exeptional natural environment : Vénascle and Valensole’s plateaux, Sainte-Croix Lake and the Verdon Gorges. 

More info to reach us : .


Moustiers-Sainte-Marie

 

3. What are the possible activities to do in Moustiers ?

 

The exeptional geographical situation allows you to a wide possibility of sport activities. We have more than a 100km of marked itiniraries, 6 VTT trails, beaches only 10min away to swim (water temperature can reach 25°C in summer), boats and paddles rentals, canyons to explore with a guide or on your own, climing routes, paragliding flights above Moustiers, Sainte-Croix Lake and the Canyon, hot air balloons, mecanical sports, horse back riding… Whitewater activities such as rafting, aqua trekking or swimming are all possible around Castellane (45km from Moustiers) and in the center of the Verdon Gorges. 

More info :


4. What activities can we do indoors ?

In Moustiers you can visit the Faïence Museum.

You can also visit one of the several workshops. Reservation is mandatry.

This ancestral art will be explained to you by professionals. They will show you each step to make the perfect piece. 

 

Nearby, you can visit the Museum of Woodturners (Aiguines – 13km), The Gorges du Verdon Museum (La Palud – 20km) and the Prehistorical Museum (Quinson – 30km).

The nearest cinema is in Gréoux-les-Bains (30km).


 

 


5. I’m in Moustiers for holidays, can I see the lavender ?

Yes ! the closest fields are 10min away ! you can drive in direction of Sainte-Croix village. Blooming is from mid-June to mid-July. You can admire their best color the last week of June and the first one of July. 

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6. Where are the free and paying parking lots ? 

There are 3 paying parking lots in the village. They are marked at the entrance and on the ground (« PAYANT »). Free spaces are just marked with a white line on the ground. 

You also have the option of 1h free parking : they are blue zones. You need a parking disk to park there to indicate the time you arrived to the police. The line on the ground are blue. The disk are sold 2€ at the Tourist Office. 
Beaware, during the season some of the parkings are for the population only. They are marked « RESERVE » and you are not allowed to park there. 

Download or visualize the Parking Zones of Moustiers.  .


7. What is the local climate like? Does it snow often? Is it very hot in summer?

It rarely snows in our village and temperature can be quite hot during summer (35°C in average). We have a Mediteranean climate (hot summers) with a small moutain climate influence (colder winter and fresh breeze during summer nights). Weather forecast is posted each day outside of our tourist office. 


8. Can people with reduced mobility access the village ?

Yes. Part of the village is accessible with a wheelchair but we advise strongly for someone to be able to help as the village will have numerous ups and downs.


9. Are there any parking spaces reserved for people with reduced mobility?

Yes. Spots are reserved for reduced mobility véhicules when they have the sticker to proove it. They are always at the entrance of each parking. It will be free in  our village. If these spaces ain’t enough, people are allowed to park everywhere else, also with their stickers visible and still for free. 

Download or visualized the Parking Zones of Moustiers.  .


10. I have a camping-car : where can I park during the day ? During the night ?

If you want to park your camping-car during you visit of the village or to go for a meal in one of our restaurants, you can use the sport area for free (open during the season only). The rest of the year or if you want to spend the night, you can use our Camping-car area (25 spots) and pay for a few hours or the 24h. You will find electricity, waste and water services. 
The parking lots in the village won’t be accessible. They are forbidden to bigger vihicules.

Download or visualized the Parking Zones of Moustiers. .

More informations on .



11. Can I come with my dog to the Sainte-Croix Lake and the Verdon Canyon ?

 

Yes. Beaches nearby Moustiers (10min with a car) are allowed to dogs. Only the ones with supervision in the village of Sainte-Croix, Bauduen and Les Salles won’t be allowed. 
You can walk around with your dog in the Grand Canyon except on 2 trails : Blanc-Martel and l’Imbut because of their high and narrow paths. 
We remind you that your dogs must be kept on leach at all time and their waste must be picked up when you wander around town. 


 

 

12. Where can I find hiking / biking / mountain biking routes?

The hiking routes are on sale at the Tourist Office in the form of maps or hiking guides. Concerning the bicycle and mountain bike circuits, we have maps of the department (free).

You have 2 free applications about these disciplines:  - .


13. What are the market days ?

Our traditional markets are Friday morning. You can enjoy it all year long. Other markets happen during the year, mostly in July and August. You also have special animations. 
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Here is the list of the markets in our region :.


 

Marché provençal à Moustiers-Sainte-Marie

Crédit photo : Philippe Murtas

Marché provençal à Moustiers-Sainte-Marie

Crédit photo : Philippe Murtas

Marché provençal à Moustiers-Sainte-Marie

Crédit photo : Philippe Murtas


 14. Where can I get free wifi? Where can I access a computer?

The wifi is available free of charge in the reception area of the tourist office during the opening hours of the office and on the Place de l'Eglise 24 hours a day. An email address is required to connect (no password necessary). A computer is available at the Post Office during opening hours.


 

You want  to stroll at Moustiers-Sainte-Marie ? Follow our guide !

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