Moustiers-Ste-Marie is a village in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence in southern France. It was once a major pottery center and now serves as a gateway to the Gorges du Verdon, sometimes called the "European Grand Canyon".
There are regular buses from Nice, Manosque and Aix-en-Provence in the high season (summer months). Transportation is much less regular in the off season, with weekly or bi-weekly buses. One useful option is to hitchhike from the train station in Manosque.
You can explore Moustiers and surroundings comfortably on foot, but it is good to have a car if you want to explore the nearby Gorges du Verdon. Hitchhiking is generally safe in this area, but be prepared to spend a long time waiting for a ride during the off season, when there is little traffic.
The town is set in a picturesque area between two limestone crags. The Gorges du Verdon are some 10 km away and offer stunning sights. An old Roman road runs through Moustiers and is a good choice for hikers.
Moustiers is a popular site for parasailing, and you can go boating on the nearby lake.
The town is full of faïence shops (a kind of painted pottery). This is also a good place to buy local specialties like honey, nougat, olive oil, and red wine.
Hotel accommodations are limited and tend towards the high end. Consider staying in nearby Riez. There are several well-maintained campgrounds in the area.
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