The Basses Combes are located in the sunny highlands of "Haute Provence" halfway between the warm shores of the Mediterranean and the Alps. Here one of France's most extraordinary Natural Regional Nature Parksprotects and ensures the continuity of a centuries-old landscape dominated by the high Vaucluse hills and the Mont Ventoux's twin sister: la montagne de Lure.

Vachères is an ideal spot to discover the provencal backcountry. Our region's numerous hiking and rambling paths and small country roads will open a door to Provence that few people ever take the time to discover. Whether by foot, bicycle, horseback or car, you will be transported back in time to discover a slower and more human-scaled land filled with sights and treasures that will enchant you, including :

• the beautiful provencal highlands,
• the deep Oppedette canyon
• the colorful and unique ocre outcroppings and quarries of Rustrel,
• the turquoise-blue Durance and Verdon lakes,
• our region's typical villages and towns: Banon, Reillanne, Forcalquier,..
• the modern astronomical observatory of St Michel l'Observatoire,
• the ethnological conservatory of Salagon Priory,
• the rustic Carluc Priory,
• the perched Ganagobie Monastery,
• the stone shepard huts of the windswept Contadour hills etc.

You will be carried away by our region's rich diversity of :

• sometimes soft and rounded, sometimes stark and wild landscapes,
• contrasting colors and sights,
• and heady odours and exquisite tastes.

Be prepared to fall in love with our region !!

Throughout the year you will discover a rich and varied flora. Trees, bushes, flowers, berries,...

To read (in french) :

• Toutes les fleurs de Méditerranée - Ed. Delachaux et Niestlé
• Guide de la flore Méditerranéenne -Ed. Delachaux et Niestlé
• Flore du Luberon - Ed. Edisud

Vachères is a perched village typical of our region. 300 people live here year-round in an exceptional natural setting.

Walk through the Vachère's narrow cobbled streets and discover the many 13th, 14th and 16th century homes that line the ancient village walls.

Take the time to vistit the local paleontological and archeological museum where you will find the magnificent "Guerrier de Vachères" statue dating from roman times as well as many other artifacts and fossils found in and around the village.

From the highest point in the village (870 meters), you will discover an extraordinary panorama spanning hundreds of kilometers from the Rhone valley to the west, the Alpes to the North and East and the Mediteranean back-country to the South.

Gallimard Guides :

• Parc Naturel Régional Luberon
• Haute Provence
• Vaucluse

Pays de Haute Provence de Lure au Luberon :

• (ADRI - Les Alpes de Lumière)

Carnets d'un voyageur attentif de Patrick Ollivier-Elliott (Edisud) :

• Luberon
• Pays de Lure, Forcalquier, Manosque et de Giono
• Terres de Sault, d'Albion et de Banon