A Guide to the Best Things to do in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
Last Updated on 10th July 2023 by Sophie Nadeau
This post may contain affiliate links. Please check out my privacy policy and disclosure for more information.
Located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department and close to the Western entryway to the Gorges du Verdon, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, which is often referred to as simply ‘Moustiers,’ is easily one of the most beautiful places to visit in the South of France. Here’s your ultimate guide to the best things to do in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, as well as travel tips to know before visiting!
In the local language of Occitan, the village is known as Mostiers Santa Maria.
Contents
Where is Moustiers-Sainte-Marie?
Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is a town in Provence, a region of the South of France. More specifically, Moustiers is set into the side of a solid rock cliff face, making the village more than a little impressive!
The village was created by constructing buildings atop of various terraced platforms straight into the side of the limestone cliffs- so be ready to walk a lot of stairs! At its highest point, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie enjoys an altitude of over 600 metres.
What is Moustiers-Sainte-Marie known for?
The town of Moustiers is particularly special thanks to the fact that it has been listed as one of the ‘plus beaux villages de France’ (most beautiful villages of France) since 1981. The settlement is also well-known for its faïence pottery, which has been produced in the town and surrounding area since the 17th-century.
Best things to do in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
Wander around the town
In all honesty, one of the best ways to enjoy and get to know the town is simply to stroll around and let your feet guide you (so be sure to wear comfortable shoes).
Much of the town is pedestrianised and the only way to reach many of the smaller streets and cobbled lanes is on your own two feet. Just don’t forget your camera as the town is truly picturesque and really lives up to its name as one of the most beautiful towns in France.
Musée de la Faïence
For those who are particularly interested in pottery and its history, there is even a museum of faïence located in the heart of the medieval village. Faïence takes its name from Faenza in Italy (where the technique originated) and is the French term of tin-glazed pottery.
The first faïence studio in Moustier-Sainte-Marie was created by Pierre Clérissy in the latter half of the 17th-century and from there the industry grew thanks to an abundance of water, tin, and wood in the surrounding area.
The museum itself was inaugurated in 1929 and many of the collections feature pottery dating back to the early days of faïence production in Moustiers. White and blue are the most traditional colours, though there are more colour-ways available to this day. There are around two dozen ships selling faïence.
Spy the star of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
One of the most unusual hidden gems of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is a golden star which hangs suspended several hundred metres above the village between two limestone mountains.
Look close enough and you’ll see the little golden star twinkling above the hermitage at the top of the town. No one quite knows how the star came to be hanging above the village, but there are several legends and theories as to how and why it got there.
One of the most popular myths was popularised by the poet Frédéric Mistral. The story goes that the knight Bozon de Blacas was held prisoner during the Middle Ages by the Saracens.
He vowed that if he ever found freedom again, then he would hang a star above the village. Of course, over time, the star and its accompanying chain have been replaced several times, most notably in the early 2000s when the chain snapped and the star (around 50 years old) had to be rehung by using a helicopter.
Waterfall
Moustiers is divided into two parts; a lower town and an upper town. Both parts of the town are car-free and so are easily explored on foot (just be sure to wear comfortable shoes as the town is largely formed of cobbled streets).
A natural spring which starts higher up in the mountains flows down as the river Ravin de Notre Dame and culminates in a small waterfall in the heart of the village- and which also serves as to divide the town into two parts. This is one of the most photogenic spots in the village.
Notre Dame de l’Assomption Church
The town’s main church can be found in an imposing square and is largely constructed in the Romanesque style. Free to enter and visit (please note that it is respectful to cover your shoulders and knees when entering a Roman Catholic Church).
Purchase faïence pottery
Today, one of the top souvenirs that visitors can buy from Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is faïence pottery pieces: olive oil dispensers, butter dishes, and decorative plates are all some of the most popular items to buy.
These handmade pieces are a little more expensive than your average souvenir but are the perfect gift to bring home to loved ones. When I visited with friends in 2021, a friend of mine purchased a white and yellow olive oil dispenser for her mother in law and the gift went down a treat.
Eat lavender ice cream
If you should know anything about Provence, it’s that one of the most popular produce (whether it be for baking or making home products) is lavender. Well, you can even make ice cream with lavender and the best place to eat ice cream in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is called ‘l’Étoile Givrée’. They also have vegan options in the form of delicious sorbet.
Climb up to Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Beauvoir
One of the most beautiful views of the nearby Lake of Sainte-Croix as well as the village below is from the Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Beauvoir, which is a small hermitage that overlooks the rest of the town.
Nestled between the mountains, there has been evidence of a church on site since the 9th-century when there was a mention of ‘Notre Dame d’Entre-Roches’ (Notre Dame between the rocks).
Parts of the current church were built in the Romanesque style and date back to the 13th-century. The latest renovations of the church took place in the 17th-century. In order to reach the chapel, you can follow the little markers on the ground that indicate the “chemin de la chapelle”.
Visit the Gorges du Verdon
Moustiers Sainte Marie is around a forty minute drive away from the Gorges du Verdon, which is one of the largest river canyons in Europe.
For sports lovers, the Provençal destination is the perfect spot to visit thanks to its wealth of water-based activities (paddle boarding and kayaking) as well as nearby hiking trails and climbing routes.
See the lavender fields of Valensole
Truth be told, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is a great place to base yourself on a trip to Paris thanks to its enviable location close to many Provence top attractions. The town is only around a thirty minute drive from the Valensole Plateau, which is home to some of the most beautiful lavender fields in Provence.
Lavandes Angelvin is the best-known of the lavender fields on the Valensole Plateau and it’s here where you’ll find the trees on the lavender horizon which are so often photographed at sunrise. Lavandes Angelvin is on the D6 (one of the main routes through Provence).
Things to know before visiting Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
While nearly everyone you meet will speak a good level of English, it’s only polite to learn a few words of French before you go. Learning a few simple words like ‘hello,’ ‘please,’ ‘thank you,’ and ‘sorry’ is a great place to start. In order to help you get by, I recommend bringing along a simple French Phrasebook like this one.
Where to stay in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
if you’re looking for a gorgeous little town with plenty of nearby attractions, then you’ll want to book a few days stay in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. Here are some of the best places to stay in town (based on web-reviews and location):
La Bastide Du Paradou: Located just a short walk away from the heart of Moustuers-Sainte-Marie, this three-star hotel is set against the backdrop of a 16th-century country house. Highlights include free parking and air conditioning. Check prices and availability here.
Enjoyed reading about the best things to do in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie? Pin this article now, read it again later:
