Villa Borghese - Greoux-les-Bains, Provence

Chain:

RDS

Facilities:

• Air-conditioning - Cooling only or Reverse cycle
• Fitness centre/gym
• Internet access
• Meeting facilities
• On-site manager
• Restaurant
• Safety deposit box
• Sauna
• Swimming pool

Single room

Double / Twin room

Triple room

Check-in Time:

15.00

Check-out Time:

11.00

Children & Extra Guest Policy:

Free extra bed for 1 child under 12 y.o. sharing room with parents. Meals to be paid locally.
2 children under 12 y.o. sharing room parents = triple room. Meals to be paid locally.

Things to do:

- Health and beauty centre (balneotherapy, massages, slimming programs)
- Bridge-Club with tournaments and lessons.

Local Attractions:

- Lac de Sainte-Croix - Les Salles-sur-Verdon
A turquoise-coloured lake in a remarkable setting. The reservoir, into which the River Verdon flows as it comes out of the gorges, was created in 1975 and covers some 5 436 acres. Its turquoise-coloured waters stretch for over 10km and are ideal for water sports. The lake's shores are lined with Provencal villages and beaches, commanding lovely views of the surrounding countryside, including the Valensole plateau. The best viewpoint is, however, at the Pont de Galetas which spans the Verdon. The entrance to the gorges can be seen on one side, with the lake stretching out on the other.

- Col d'Illoire - Aiguines
Impressive panorama from the road out of the Gorges du Verdon. This pass marks the end of the gorges and is a perfect spot to stop and admire the seemingly bottomless Grand Canyon for one last time. Upstream the horizon is dotted with bluish peaks, among which the spur of Montagne Ste-Victoire. In the foreground are the Valensole plateau and the Lac de Ste-Croix.

- Cirque de Vaumale - Aiguines
Magnificent site dominating the Gorges du Verdon. The cirque, planted with beech, curves above the Verdon at an altitude of around 700m, and is best admired from the road between Balcons de la Mescla and Moustiers-Ste-Marie, which reaches a height of 1 204m. You can also savour stunning views of the source of the Vaumale and the Lac de Ste Croix, with the Luberon, the Montagne de Lure and Mont Ventoux further away.

- Sainte-Victoire - Aix-en-Provence
More than a mountain, it is the symbol of Provence! East of Aix-en-Provence lies Mount Sainte-Victoire which reaches a height of 1 011m at its peak, the Pic des Mouches. The dramatic outline of its sheer south side has come to symbolise the whole of the region of Provence, which unfolds before you from the Croix de Provence (945m). The D 10 winds its way up the mountain and past the Chateau de Vauvenargues, where Picasso is buried, and on to the wooded Infernet Gorges. Go round Sainte-Victoire and back to Aix, stopping to enjoy the fine views on the way down - don't miss Beaurecueil!

- Croix de Provence - Les Cabassols
This natural belvedere reveals a magnificent view of Provence. From the priory of Notre-Dame-de-Ste-Victoire (1656), there is a short climb up to the Croix de Provence (alt 945m), which stands 17m high on an 11m base. The magnificent panorama of Provencal mountains takes in the Ste-Baume and Etoile ranges to the south, and, to the right, the Vitrolles range, the Crau plain, the Durance valley, the Luberon and the Alps of Provence. Further east, you will see the Pic des Mouches. To the east, on the ridge, is the Gouffre du Garaga?, a 150m-deep chasm.

- Village de Cotignac
This pretty village will tempt you to live at the pace of Provence. It arouses curiosity thanks to its impressive houses perched on the tufa cliffs and noteworthy architectural elements from the 16, 17 and 18C hidden away in its streets. Be sure to visit the place de la Mairie, the square where the 18C town hall stands, the belfry (15C) and a fountain. Enjoy a drink in the shade of the plane trees on the central avenue before making your way towards the rock that dominates the area. The cave, where villagers used to hide their provision, affords a lovely panoramic view.

- Gorges du Verdon - Castellane
Legendary gorges which can be explored by car or on foot. Edouard Martel (1859-1938), the inventor of potholing, was the first to explore these gorges in 1905-06. In the 1920s lookout points were built along the canyon, and in 1947 a cliff road (D 71), known as the Corniche Sublime, was constructed on the south bank. The northern Ridge Road (D 23) was, however, only completed in 1973. Both routes command superb views of this outstanding natural site. Make a point of stopping at the bBalcons de la Mescla and at the belvederes of Carelle, Escales, Tilleul and Point Sublime, between La Palud and Castellane.

- Mourre Negre - Auribeau
An ideal spot to contemplate the Luberon and the neighbouring regions. Mourre Negre (Black Face) is the highest point of the Montagne du Luberon (1 125m). The vast panorama from the summit embraces the Montagne de Lure and Digne pre-Alps (northeast), the Durance valley with Montagne Ste-Victoire in the background (southeast), the ?tang de Berre and the Alpilles (southwest), and the Apt basin, the Vaucluse plateau and Mont Ventoux (northwest).

- Colorado de Rustrel
Walks through an amazing landscape. Maps and guides are available from the Maison du Colorado and from the Rustrel Town Hall Several footpaths will take you past the fairies' chimneys, the Sahara, the Cirque of Barries, waterfalls, the river of sand and the tunnel, revealing shapes and landscapes that are the joint result of human activity (up to 1956) and erosion.

- Route de la Corniche Sublime - Castellane
Grandiose panoramas and stunning viewpoints over the famous Gorges du Verdon. The Route de la Corniche Sublime begins at Comps-sur-Artuby, a former stronghold of the Knights Templar and later of the Knights Hospitaller. The village nestles at the foot of a rock crowned by the 13C Eglise St Andre. The views from this church over the Artuby gorge and the Provencal landscape are fully worth the climb. The road then heads for the amazing Balcons de la Mescla overlooking the Verdon. Continue on past the two Tunnels de Fayet which command a breathtaking view of the curve of the canyon, turning into the Falaise des Cavaliers. The latter towers above the precipice between 250 and 400m high and stretches out over 3km. Past the Pas de l'Imbut which commands a bird's-eye view of the Verdon, the road leads into the Cirque de Vaumale offering splendid views on the way out. In the distance lie the Luberon, the Montagne de Lure and Mont Ventoux. Once past the Col d'Illoire, the gorges come to an end. Turn back and savour a last view of the Grand Canyon before heading for the turquoise Lac de Ste-Croix into which the Verdon flows. Created in 1975, its shores are lined with delightful villages and beaches ideal for water sports. Not far away, the attractive village of Moustiers-Ste-Marie marks the end of the tour. Despite its resemblance with a Provencal creche and its streets lined by ancient buildings, it in fact owes its fame to the manufacture of glazed milk-white ceramics.

Luberon - Apt
A wild, unspoilt region famed for the quality of its mysterious light. Declared a Regional Nature Reserve in 1977, the area is planted with oak forests and garigue stretching between the Alps and the Mediterranean. To the west the Petit Luberon forms a plateau carved by gorges where the altitude rarely exceeds 700m, whereas to the east the Grand Luberon rises up to 1 125m (Mourre Negre). Among the sights to look out for are the Colorado de Rustrel, abbey of Senanque, and picturesque villages such as Gordes and Roussillon, without forgetting the curious dry-stone huts or bories, all steeped in a magical light.

Balcons de la Mescla - Saint-Maimes
Impressive view of the Verdon and its gorges. In the Occitan language, mescal signifies "mixture", and these balconies tower 250m above the spot where the waters of the Verdon River mingle with those of its tributary, the Artuby. In this wild, grandiose setting, the river's crystal waters rush past a narrow knife-edged ridge. Note the depth of the north-south facing gorges upstream, which are between 400 and 500m in places. The view is best from the upper belvedere.

Getting There:

Airport: Marseille 80Km.
Train stations: Manosque 15 Km. / Aix en provence 55 Km.
By car: A51 Exit St-Paul-les-Durance