Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is a village in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southeastern France, set on a cliff face within the Verdon Regional Nature Park. Its houses climb the rock in a way that makes the village easy to recognise from the road below.
What to see
The village is known for its long tradition of faience pottery, and the craft remains part of its identity. Visitors can wander the cobbled streets, which lead between shops and houses built into the hillside. Above the village, a golden star hangs on a chain strung between two rocky peaks. It is one of the features that draws people up the slopes to look at the view.
Why visit
- A compact medieval village with a strong sense of place
- Faience pottery, a craft tied to the village's history
- The golden star suspended above the rock
- A base for exploring the surrounding landscape
The village also works well as a stop on the way to the Verdon Gorge, one of the best-known natural landscapes in the area. Those who come for the gorge will find Moustiers a comfortable place to pause, eat and look around before or after a day outdoors.
Planning your trip
Moustiers suits a relaxed visit rather than a long list of attractions. Allow time to walk through the streets slowly, look at the pottery, and take in the setting against the cliffs. Visitors interested in the wider region can use the village as a starting point for nature walks and drives in the Verdon area.
