Arrival at the Aix-en-Provence TGV station, departure for Les Mées (1h journey).
Digne: Border between the Alps and the Mediterranean. A climatic frontier. Large daily temperature range.
What to do in the Pays Dignois?
Go for a horseback ride at the La Fenière Equestrian Center
This Equestrian Center is designed for the well-being of the horses and mainly welcomes riders with their own horses, providing all the necessary equipment (including a huge riding arena) for them to stay in the surroundings and go horseback riding in the territory surrounding the Center.
For those who do not have their own horses, the Center also offers accompanied horseback rides, but be careful, you must book well in advance for this type of service. They also organize carriage rides during the summer season for tourists.
We therefore did a great ride with the team through the olive trees (some of which are centuries old) that surround the estate.
25 years ago, the club was a forest with no water or electricity.
The fun fact: the shape of the vegetation looks like a horse’s head from the sky (it is obviously a human-made intervention).
La Fenière Equestrian Center
Try a Via Ferrata in Digne-les-Bains
Make an appointment at the tourist office with Kira, a climbing/via ferrata guide, for those who want to practice the Via Ferrata.
My second Via Ferrata experience after Aveyron, and once again we loved the experience with my favorite photographer. We did the new part of the via ferrata that just opened this summer. I found it great; the sensations are incredible (you are on the wall above the void almost 100% of the time). However, this part of the via ferrata is quite difficult, and I would not recommend it for beginners. I was happy to have done one before on my own; I think it helped me manage my apprehension, although I must say that my lack of fear of heights also helps a lot. If you are really afraid of heights, you probably won’t be able to do it.
Via Ferrata Digne-les-Bains
The insider tip: if you already have your own via ferrata equipment, it is free!
Go for a mindful walk with Pascal
2:00 PM: meet at the tourist office with Pascal Mazzani, a mountain guide, then drive to the start of the hike (10-minute drive).
Digne is the first Geopark in the world, created in 2000 by UNESCO. Located in the heart of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department, it is composed of 58 municipalities.
Afghan walking: a breathing technique for mountain hiking.
Art refuges by a British artist, Andy Goldsworthy? Important Land Art artist.
Rehabilitation of ruined buildings. Art refuges listed on an IGN map available at the Tourist Office.
Significant spiritual aspect in the Pays Dignois. 2 hermits living in the mountains.
Monumental work with 150 km of trails.
Take LER (Regional Express Bus).
Slowness, exhale, release.
Cheminsdedetente.fr
Black rock or black earth or Robine.
The Black Marls are thick formations of marl (a mixture of clay and limestone) that have been deposited in the region for millions of years. The one in La Robine-sur-Galabre corresponds to a period of deepening of the Alpine sea, which hosted vast quantities of clay-quartz sediments in an oxygen-poor environment, which is the origin of the black color of these rocks.
Go for a mountain bike ride in Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon
Departure at the Les Truffières campsite with Dorian Duretti, an MTB guide. E-bike ride through the lavender fields.
This very pleasant electric bike ride along the lavender fields allowed us to see superb landscapes and take advantage of this setting to take some photos (while respecting the fields and their producers, of course; we agree, the goal is not to go trampling their harvests!).
Bike ride on the Sainte-Croix plateau.
Electric bike rental rates: €30 per day and €20 for 4 hours.
Stroll through the charming village of Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon
The setting is already idyllic with the view of the lake, but the village streets are also full of charm.
My top addresses in the Pays Dignois
Thai address
Auberge des Galets *** in Peyruis
Dinner at the hotel restaurant.
Menu at €30 including appetizer + main course + dessert.
Hotel with pool and restaurant.
Where to have a vegetarian lunch in Digne-les-Bains? At Chez Nusa
A very beautiful discovery and a very good little address that offers vegetarian, seasonal dishes in a tearoom atmosphere that I particularly love!
To try: the Veggie toast (organic bread from Les Miches à Lulu, artichoke cream, seasonal crunchy vegetables, sun-dried tomatoes, herb pesto and feta / €13); the Pink Bun (veggie version of the burger with a homemade plant-based patty / €14); as for drinks, the Virgin Mojito Passion (€4.50) and the Virgin Tonic (€4.50) were great!
For dessert: homemade granola bowl (€5.50); banana bread (€5).
Good to know: all dishes can be adapted to be vegan and gluten-free!
Chez Nusa
10 avenue du Maréchal Juin 04000 Digne-les-Bains
Hôtel La Bonne Etape**** in Château-Arnoux-Saint-Auban
This establishment, located in an 18th-century coaching inn, has been a family business (the Gleize family) for 4 generations! The hotel offers 18 rooms and suites.
Checking into the rooms.
In addition to the hotel, this address is also a beautiful and renowned gastronomic stop, as it also houses a restaurant that has held a Michelin star for 57 years! Indeed, the parents of the current chef, Jany Gleize, obtained the star in 1964 and he has kept it ever since.
His cuisine, through which he expresses himself, gives pride of place to Provencal roots and regional products.
We had the chance to visit Chef Jany Gleize’s vegetable garden in his company. This is a garden that is half vegetable patch and half nature.
Gleize in Provencal means church. Jany Gleize Banon goat cheese in chestnut leaves.
In the evening, we had dinner at the starred restaurant with a set menu.
Food and wine pairing €30 for 3 glasses.
Hôtel La Bonne Étape
Chemin du Lac 04 160 Château-Arnoux
Lunch at the restaurant L’Actuel in Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon
The advantage of this restaurant is its magnificent view of the lake (ask for a seat in the back of the restaurant with the view!).
To taste: local beers from Bière des Gorges.
Restaurant L’Actuel
le cours, 04500 Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon
Price: fresh menu at €29.90 including appetizer + main course + dessert.
The insider tip: lunch menu served from Monday to Friday with appetizer + main course or main course + dessert for €24.90.
