Tucked between towering limestone cliffs in the heart of Provence, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is the kind of village that stops you in your tracks. A waterfall-fed stream runs straight through its centre, cobbled streets wind between pastel-coloured houses, and sun-drenched cafes spill out onto little squares beside trickling fountains. If you have just one day here, here’s how to make the most of it.
Morning: Explore the Village
Start by simply wandering. The streets of Moustiers reward slow exploration, and there are some excellent boutique shops worth seeking out. Pick up hand-painted ceramics at Bon Dieu Moustiers, a local institution, and stop into Folies de Provence for lavender goods ranging from soaps and oils to sachets and honey. The village has long been famous for its faience pottery, so this is genuinely one of the best places in France to pick up a piece to take home.
Afternoon: Lunch, Ice Cream and the Gorges du Verdon
For lunch, Le Grignotier is the local favourite — a relaxed spot well suited to a long, unhurried meal. Before you leave the village, make one essential stop: the flower-shaped ice creams at Delice d’Italie are something of a local legend and not to be skipped.
From there, the afternoon calls for a short drive to the Gorges du Verdon. Just a few minutes from the village, this is one of Europe’s most spectacular natural landscapes — a dramatic canyon carved through the limestone plateau, with some of the most intensely blue-green water you’re likely to ever see. Depending on your energy levels, you can tackle one of the epic hiking trails along the rim, rent a kayak and paddle through the gorge itself, or simply find a viewpoint and take it all in.
Evening: Dinner in the Village
Back in Moustiers as the sun drops, head to Le Jadis for dinner. Cosy and atmospheric, it sits right in the heart of the village and makes for a fitting end to the day — good food, warm light, and the quiet that settles over this remarkable place once the day-trippers have gone.
Where to Stay
If you’re making a night of it, Hôtel de la Ferme Rose is one of the most characterful places to sleep in the village. The owner has filled the property with eclectic, personally curated interiors that give it a warmth and personality you won’t find in a chain hotel.