Gréoux-les-Bains

Wellness and relaxation at the Thermes de Gréoux

France’s 3rd-largest spa, Gréoux-les-Bains is the ideal place for those in search of relaxation and well-being. Open all year round, you can enjoy its soothing thermal waters all year round.

Access to unspoilt nature

When you’re in Gréoux-les-Bains, you’ll have the chance to discover nearby Lac d’Esparron and its Basses Gorges. You’ll also have the chance to stroll through fields of lavender and olive trees, where the scents of Provence are freely expressed.

Cycling in Provence

From Gréoux-les-Bains, a number of cycle paths invite you to enjoy pleasant bike rides in unspoilt Haute Provence. You can even pedal to the shores of Lac d’Esparron at your own pace!

Intense Verdon

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Following in Giono’s footsteps

The old town, a romantic oasis

Described as the ” Romantic Oasis of the Verdon ” by the famous writer Jean Giono, an emeritus of the region, Gréoux-les-Bains reveals its charms to those who take the time to explore it. The words of the famous author evoke the natural beauty that characterizes the village and its surroundings. To stroll through the old town of Gréoux-les-Bains is both to immerse yourself in the Provencal art of living and to experience a real journey back in time. Built on a hill crowned by its castle, the atmosphere is particularly pleasant. Stroll along its shady pedestrian lanes, winding passageways, cobbled calades and staircases, and catch a glimpse of charming, colorful facades and a magnificent Provencal-style bell tower.

Your walk will undoubtedly take you to the Château des Templiers, perched atop the town once occupied by the Knights Templar and shrouded in chivalric legends. Although the castle is currently being renovated, you can still enjoy a view that takes in the rooftops of Gréoux-les-Bains, the surrounding mountains and the lavender fields that stretch across the Valensole plateau. Stop for a moment to admire the Romanesque-Gothic church of Notre-Dame des Ormeaux, before sampling the region’s specialties. For example, saffron, which grows in the shade of lavender, white wines and goat’s cheese, before descending to a large shady garden below to relax in the thermal baths.

Relax at the Gréoux-les-Bains spa

France’s 3rd-largest spa

If we had to choose a symbol to illustrate the notion of “slow tourism” focused on well-being, Gréoux-les-Bains would top the list. Located in the Parc Naturel Régional du Verdon, this small Provencal village of character is France’s third-largest spa resort. Take time out to pamper yourself with a moment of total relaxation in a unique setting.

Behind the superb facade of the antique-inspired spa building, you’ll discover a troglodyte interior offering a captivating scenography combining modernity and tradition. In addition to the programs designed for curists staying at Gréoux-les-Bains, you can also enjoy a day or half-day of wellness treatments.

Between massages, hydrotherapy sessions and Gréoux’s flagship spa treatment: the kaolin bath. A unique signature experience that immerses you in a white clay bath with a warm, soft texture reminiscent of pancake batter. In the kaolin, you float as if in the Dead Sea. The experience is both astonishing and delightful: the clay water envelops and carries you, and is seen as a marvel in soothing rheumatic pain.

Practical information: Spa packages start at €45, and reservations are strongly recommended. The spa is open from early March to November.

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Did you know?

Gréoux-les-Bains thermal spring water is naturally warm (42°C!), rich in calcium, magnesium, sulfur and boron, and has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, muscle relaxant, decongestant and healing properties.

Enjoy Lake Esparron

The unspoilt pearl of the Verdon

When you think of the Verdon, you know without hesitation the famous Lac de Sainte Croix and the Gorges du Verdon? But have you ever heard of Lac d’Esparron, a little further down the valley? A wild, unspoilt gem with very little urban development, where the clear, celadon-green water serves as a drinking water reserve for the Aix-Marseille region via a network of aqueducts and ancient canals.

Take advantage of your stay in Gréoux-les-Bains to discover Lac d’Esparron, the Basses Gorges du Verdon and Quinson. Less touristy than its neighbor, Lac de Sainte-Croix, Lac d’Esparron is one of the most beautiful lakes in the Verdon. The exceptional scenery of creeks, cliffs and turquoise waters is sure to take your breath away. There are a number of ways to discover it: swimming, electric boats, pedalos, canoes, sailing, paddles or electric boats. Here on the lake, combustion engine boats are prohibited in order to preserve the quality of the water, its calm and tranquillity.

If you feel like gliding along under the wind, head for Club Nautique d’Esparron de Verdon to try your hand at sailing! Feel the excitement of a long trip to Lac d’Esparron, a completely different way of discovering the lake and its Provencal creeks. For a unique experience, embark on a one-hour guided cruise on Lac d’Esparron-de-Verdon aboard the electric promenade boat Verdon Croisières. This environmentally-friendly experience offers a peaceful immersion in the lake thanks to silent electric propulsion. During the cruise, a guide will tell you all about the lake’s history, geological features and biodiversity. You’ll discover the birds, aquatic plants and local legends that make this place so special.

To rent a boat on Lac d’Esparron, contact LaPerle du Verdon orAlizé Electronic. Choose from kayaks, canoes, pedalos, paddleboats and electric boats. The Club Nautique d’Esparron sur Verdon also offers kayaks, paddleboats… and sailing! For an unusual experience.
All open daily from April to October.

Good to know

The Commune d’Esparron-de-Verdon recently launched a panoramic webcam offering a 180° view of the lake, enabling nature lovers to explore the lake in real time and weather enthusiasts to get localized weather information.

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A bike ride in Provence

Leaving from Gréoux les Bains

Whether you’re an amateur or an experienced cyclist, Gréoux-les-Bains offers you a fabulous experience. Here, you can cycle in all seasons, winter or summer! In winter, conditions are ideal for cycling, with plenty of sunshine and little precipitation or snow. Spring and autumn are the best seasons to explore Provence by bike. In spring, Mediterranean plants in full bloom awaken an explosion of color and perfume the paths with their sweet Provencal scent, while in autumn, the brilliant hues of red, golden yellow and evergreen trees create a unique, almost unreal setting. Contrary to popular belief, summer is the least favorable and least pleasant season for cycling in Provence. The hot weather puts the body to the test during the effort, forcing you to practice early in the day to take advantage of the cool morning air.

Pedal effortlessly for pleasure

Choose an electrically-assisted bike or mountain bike

For those who want to pedal for pleasure, without forcing themselves, you can also rent electric-assist bikes. From Gréoux-les-Bains, take a ride through the delightfully hilly Provençal countryside, gently climbing and descending. Electrically-assisted mountain bikes can be rented from Bachelas Bike Shop, open from April to October. From the very first pedal stroke, you’ll be on your own for over 60 km, enabling you to explore the surrounding countryside and discover the many beautiful villages.

Whether you’re a road biker or mountain biker, with or without electric assistance, there are plenty of cycle routes to make your cycling experience a real pleasure in the heart of unspoilt Haute Provence. To offer you the best bike rides around Gréoux-les-Bains, the tourist office offers you a number of routes ranging from the simplest (green) to the most technical (black). You can find the FFC cyclosport circuits leaflet online on the tourist office website or on site. In Gréoux-les-Bains, there’s a route for everyone, according to their level of ability and desire!

Let's go for a ride on an electric bike

To Saint-Julien beach at Lac d'Esparron

Instead of driving to Lac d’Esparron from Gréoux-les-Bains, opt for a pleasant bike ride. Just under 8 km along the charming lake road, you’ll reach the Saint-Julien beach on the western shore of Lac d’Esparron. To make this journey, which is both gently undulating and sparsely shaded, effortless, consider renting electrically-assisted mountain bikes. A pleasant way to get around, with the guarantee of a refreshing swim on arrival!

Discover

Visit the Chapelle Notre-Dame des œufs

A lovely Provencal stroll in Gréoux-les-Bains

A humble little chapel offering a lovely walk through the Provencal landscape surrounding Gréoux-les-Bains. After crossing a bridge over the Verdon River, reach the site via a steep path or carriage road. At the top of the hill, you’ll enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the village and the Verdon plain. The chapel itself has undergone several transformations since the Middle Ages, and the current building dates from the 17th century. It stands on a site that probably had pagan significance, perhaps dedicated to the fertility goddess Isis, whose attributes it has preserved. Every Easter Monday, a pilgrimage is organized, during which women wishing to have a child ascend to the chapel carrying two eggs. They bury one of the eggs on the site and eat the other before returning down. Their wish will be granted if, during a second pilgrimage on September 8, they find their egg intact.

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Immerse yourself in the history of the Château des Templiers

A vestige of Gréoux-les-Bains’ medieval past

Classified as a historical monument since 1840, the Château des Templiers, a vestige of Gréoux-les-Bains’ medieval past, embodies the rich heritage that surrounds you and invites you to immerse yourself in the local history. Standing proudly on the heights of Gréoux-les-Bains, it offers a panoramic view of the village and the Verdon valley. This historic building recalls a glorious past and invites you to discover a history that evokes the hospitaliers, a secret tunnel and the Counts of Provence. A nostalgic setting and a mysterious halo emanating from this imposing château will seduce all visitors who love intrigue and legends. Explore its secret-laden walls, stroll through its gardens and imagine yourself back in the days of the Knights Templar.

Good to know: as the Château de Gréoux-les-Bains bears the marks of time, restoration work is underway to consolidate and make this emblematic site accessible once again. The château’s courtyard is currently closed to the public, while the guard room hosts art exhibitions from April to November.

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Have fun discovering Gréoux-les-Bains

Initiate your family to randolands

TheOffice de Tourisme et des Congrès du Pays de Manosque has teamed up with Randoland to offer you an entertaining and original way to discover Gréoux-les-Bains. As a family, you can solve the case assigned to Inspector Rando. So keep your eyes peeled, explore, explore, observe the environment around you and examine both the historical and natural heritage of the village. Does this photo match the landscape in front of you? Is that the silhouette of the church steeple you see? What’s the name of this street? These are just some of the mysteries your children will have to solve. The walk becomes a real detective story, with the whole family enjoying the Haute-Provence region and its villages on foot. Each village has its own trail to follow and its own game to play. With sports activities, cultural discoveries, water sports and fun walks, there’s no room for boredom!

From Gréoux-les-Bains, you can choose between two surveys: one that takes you through the heart of the village, and one that takes you to the banks of the Verdon.
Go to your nearest tourist information office to request your Randoland circuit. These cards are available free of charge and come in 3 age-appropriate itineraries for children aged 4-6, 7-9 and 10+.

Because this experience doesn’t just stop at Gréoux-les-Bains, you can also try out the Randolands in neighboring villages. Between Riez, Quinson, Valensole, Vinon-sur-Verdon, Esparron-de-Verdon and Saint-Martin de Bromes, there are so many places around Gréoux-les-Bains to discover and have fun with your family.

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#Randoland : Ici, on s'amuse en famille !

A lively village all year round

Events not to be missed

In the spring

In summer

In autumn

The Boucles du Verdon is held in May! A cyclo-tourist event that offers cycling enthusiasts the opportunity to challenge themselves while enjoying the natural surroundings of the Parc Naturel Régional du Verdon. At the same time, don’t miss Gréoux in Corsica, the 1st festival of Corsican song and Corsican polyphony on the continent!

In May, join us for 2 local highlights: the Fête du Lac in Esparron-de-Verdon and the Fête de la Transhumance in Vinon-sur-Verdon.

For a total immersion in Provencal culture, join us at the beginning of July for the Fête Provençale, where flavors, scents, traditions and know-how are showcased through concerts, markets and encounters. If you like the sound of Brazilian music, Gréoux de Janeiro is the festive event not to be missed at the end of July. Enjoy a few days of Brazilian-themed entertainment, concerts and strolls to the rhythm of percussion and samba. For the “jazzy” among you, mark your calendars for the Gréoux Jazz Festival, held every year in mid-September.

If you’re a sportsman, or simply love mountain biking, take part in the Verdon des Collines, part of the French cycling federation’s “Randos d’Or” calendar. A non-timed mountain bike ride to discover the most beautiful trails around Gréoux-les-Bains and the Verdon, where you’re free to choose your own distance from among 7 circuits, and enjoy a convivial refreshment area. For those interested in local crafts, the Foire aux Santons is a not-to-be-missed event at the spa. During the All Saints’ Day vacations, discover the work of renowned santon makers and enjoy a host of free events.

Event

le Grand Bouillon in Gréoux-les-Bains

A great idea for autumn!

Also, discover the Gourmande celebration of Autumn: the Grand Bouillon in Gréoux-les-Bains. Carat or Hungarian blue squash, butternut, pumpkin, blond or coral lentils, potatoes, leeks or sweet potatoes… The list is not exhaustive, but it smells of autumn vegetables; those we take the time to cook when the days get shorter and the mercury drops, those we like to enjoy by the fireside, in a soup that warms both body and heart. Because soup is timeless, timeless and timeless, it has always been a part of meals and traditions. With this in mind, the Tourist Office has decided to put this age-old dish at the heart of its new autumn event.