: Manosque

Manosque is the largest town in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department, situated at the meeting of the Durance and the Luberon. It is famous as the home of the writer Jean Giono and for its position on the Route de la Lavande (Lavender Route). The old town is protected by massive city gates and contains a dense medieval core. Manosque is also the home of the L'Occitane en Provence factory.

Manosque has a TGV station on the Paris–Nice line, plus TER services. By car, the A51 motorway runs past the town. The nearest airports are Marseille Provence and Avignon-Provence.

The old town, enclosed by boulevards, is compact and walkable. For the Valensole plateau, Luberon, and Verdon, a car is essential.

The old town gates: Porte de la Saunerie, Porte Soubeyran. The Maison de Jean Giono. The L'Occitane factory. The Valensole lavender plateau.

Visit the L'Occitane factory. Lavender tourism on the Valensole plateau. The Saturday market is the largest in the region.

Provencal-Alpine cuisine: lamb, goat cheeses, lavender honey, truffles. The Saturday market.

Luberon and Pierrevert AOC wines. Pastis.

Hotels in the centre. The surrounding Luberon, Valensole, and Verdon area offer many chambres d'hôtes and gîtes.

L'Occitane products at factory prices. Lavender products. Luberon wines, olive oil, tapenade, and honey.

The Valensole lavender plateau. Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. The Gorges du Verdon. Gréoux-les-Bains. The Luberon villages. Aix-en-Provence.