Haute Provence: Where to Stay:

The Nouvel Hotel du Commerce (Place de l’église, 04120 Castellane, ☎ 33 04 92 83 61 00, and 33 04 92 83 72 82, accueil@hotel-fradet.com, www.hotel-fradet.com/1024/index_gb.html, open March through October, €) is dramatically located at the base of the huge rock topped by Notre Dame du Roc, that overlooks the town. Rooms are simple but clean and reasonably equipped and the hotel has a large restaurant serving traditional food. This is a comfortable base for exploring the Gorges du Verdon. Groups are offered bed and breakfast at reduced rates with one person going free for every €20.

Just a few miles outside of Castellane, in the 16th-century hamlet of Chasteuil, Le Gîte de Chasteuil (Hameau de Chasteuil, 04120 Castellane, ☎/fax 33 04 92 83 72 45, info@gitedechasteuil.com, www.gitedechasteuil.com/english.htm, € or less depending upon the season) is a charming and quiet alternative base. Nancy Herfeld, who, with her partner Pascal Beguin, owns and operates this tiny bed and breakfast, is originally from California and at least one of the rooms is decorated with images of California wild flowers. Nancy makes essential oil soaps that are available for sale. Simple evening meals are served during the summer. Book early because the inn has only four guest rooms – one equipped with a kitchenette – and it fills up quickly during the season.

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