I spent the week before Christmas with my roommate and close friend, Doriane. Her family lives in Aups. Aups is a small village in the foothills of the alps on the Côte d’Azur. While there, Doriane and I made many trips up and down the winding hills to and from Aups. The highlights of our trips were of course St. Tropez, Monaco, and Nice. We also visited some small and charming towns only minutes away from her home. One of my favorites was Moustiers-Sainte-Marie along the Lac de Sainte-Croix.
Before I get into our day trip, let me say that Aups is a magnificent village. It is quaint and tranquil. It is everything you would imagine a Hollywood movie set to be. If you have ever dreamt of a village in Provence, this is as close to your dream as you will get. The scent of wood burning over an open flame on every street and a hint of herbs is always in the air. The narrow streets are lined with town homes. A few are recently renovated, while most appear as though they could cave in at any moment, seemingly unloved for centuries. I took very few photos in Aups. Doriane was anxious to see family and had little interest in her camera. I should have gone for walks on my own through town, or a run along the perimeter, but the bitter cold and holiday blues kept me in.
Aups is home to the third largest black truffle market in France. The truffle market is held every Thursday, November through February. The black truffles sold here are some of the most expensive mushrooms in the world.
Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, or simply Moustiers as Doriane called it, is known to be one of the most beautiful villages in the southeastern region of France. It sits tucked in between two mountains overlooking a valley. A delicate waterfall trickles through the valley, separating the town in two. A narrow bridge crosses over in order to connect the two halves. Above Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, a gold painted star hangs between two mountain peaks. There are many legends behind the gold star, but it seems to be that no one knows the true reason for its being. Doriane and her family believe the star is a symbol of protection. The star was hung to protect the village from the Crusades during the Middle Ages. The current star is said to be about 50 years old. Shall it ever fall, it is assumed to be replaced by helicopter.
During the summertime, the valley beneath the village is decorated with lavender, poppy, and herb de provence in full bloom. The landscape is colorful and plentiful for miles and miles. Unfortunately, I was unable to witness this, seeing as it was winter, but the postcards in one local shop demonstrated the view quite well.
The Lac de Sainte-Croix is a manmade lake developed in order to increase the energy needs of nearby villages in the early 1970s. According to Doriane and her friends, it is one of their favorite places to spend their summers. It is the perfect location to spend a warm day if you want to avoid the crowded beaches in nearby Nice. I am a beach girl at heart, and I found the fact that this lake is manmade to take away from it’s initial beauty. The lack of tourists, and the warm sun reflecting off the turquoise water did make it an ideal spot for lunch.
The place where the Lac de Sainte Croix meets the Gorges du Verdon is the perfect photo opportunity. Gorge is the French word for river canyon. Narrow rivers wind through the vast ascending alps until they meet the Lac de Sainte Croix. The turquoise green waters make these gorges some of Europe’s finest. The water gets its glistening color from a type of micro algae living in the water. The limestone cliffs that descend from the mountains are an excellent place for mountain climbing while the waters are perfect for kayakers, rafters, paddle boarders, and swimmers. There are also many hikes along the canyons and scenic drives for those who prefer land. Many locals and tourists spend their summers here. The water is warmer than the beaches in Nice, and most tourists only pass by for a day at a time.
Do you prefer small villages, like Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, or big cities when you travel? I would love to hear in the comments below!
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