Visite_guidee_Saint_Andre_Dylan_Blerie_pour_VT

Guided tours and discovery

Enthusiasts will help you discover the history of a place, an unsuspected built heritage, the skills of a craftsman or the life of the rural world. Be curious, follow the guide!

Discover the area through guided tours

Passionate qualified guides introduce you to the history of a place and to unexpected architectural heritage.

Whether you are passing through for a day or staying longer in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, guided tours of the Verdon give you the keys to understanding the area.

Guided tours for individuals

All year round, the tourist office and the Pays d’Art et d’Histoire organise guided tours of the Verdon’s iconic villages.

On the programme:

  • Entrevaux: medieval village, cathedral, mills and the climb up to the citadel along the fortified ramp built by Vauban
  • Annot: historic centre and three themed flash tours
  • Colmars-les-Alpes: historic centre, Redoute de France, tour in English
  • Saint-André-les-Alpes and Barrême
  • Senez and its cathedral

Tours can be booked at the Verdon Tourisme information offices or directly online.

See the list of tours

Group tours

Organised groups (associations, works councils, tour operators) can enjoy dedicated packages with a private guide.

School groups are also welcome to make the most of a culturally rich heritage.

Several routes are available in the Verdon, see the list.
For any quote or booking request for a group, contact the tourist office directly.

List of group tours Contact us [PDF] Group tours [PDF] School tours

Unusual tours and experiences

Step away from classic tours and experience heritage differently. The Verdon offers several original formats that appeal to families and lovers of live performance alike:

  • Entrevaux: “Chronicle of a frontier town”, a theatrical tour led by Madeleine, an 18th-century resident, who takes you through the narrow streets to tell the eventful history of the town.
  • Colmars-les-Alpes: “Life in bygone days at the museum-house”, a lively tour of the Fort de France, “Colmars in the Middle Ages”.
  • Occasional storytelling and night-time tours in the villages.

These tours run in season on specific dates. See the list of tours for upcoming performances.

List of unusual tours

Pays d’Art et d’Histoire events

The Pays d’Art et d’Histoire label runs a busy programme of events all year round:

  • Tours of labelled villages: Chaudon-Norante, Annot, Rougon, La Mure-Argens, Saint-Lions, Demandolx, Val-de-Chalvagne, Saint-Jacques, Beauvezer, Tartonne
  • European Heritage Days in Saint-Julien-du-Verdon
  • National Architecture Day in Saint-André-les-Alpes
  • Rendez-vous aux jardins (garden open days) in Barrême
  • Local Heritage Day in Le Fugeret

These events are an opportunity to discover sites usually closed to the public and to meet the local people who bring them to life.

Pays d’Art et d’Histoire list

Frequently asked questions

Verdon Tourisme offers guided tours all year round to discover the heritage, history, architecture and distinctive features of the area as part of the Pays d’Art et d’Histoire label.

Depending on the time of year and on demand, these tours may be aimed at individual visitors, as part of a summer programme, but also at groups and schools, all year round.

This FAQ gives you the main practical information:

  • programme
  • booking
  • prices
  • tour formats
  • accessibility
  • organisational arrangements

Verdon Tourisme guided tours

Does the Tourist Office offer guided tours?

Yes, Verdon Tourisme offers a programme of guided tours all year round.
For individual visitors, a programme of tours is offered mainly during the summer season, from May to September.

For groups, tours can be organised all year round, on request and subject to guide availability.

Why book a guided tour with the Tourist Office?

Booking a guided tour with the Tourist Office means discovering the area in a different way.

The tours help you better understand the places, notice details you might not spot on your own and enjoy anecdotes, tailored explanations and time to chat with the guide.

It is also a chance to enjoy a friendly, accessible and enriching experience, whether you are a visitor passing through, a local resident, with family or in a group.

Are the tours only about history?

No.

The tours may cover history, but also architecture, landscapes, traditions, local anecdotes, notable figures, daily life and how the area has evolved.

Other questions

Who leads the guided tours?

The guided tours are led by a qualified guide (guide-conférencier), as part of the Pays d’Art et d’Histoire label.

The guide accompanies visitors as they discover the sites, gives tailored explanations and answers questions throughout the tour.

Guided tours for individuals

How much does a guided tour cost?

For individual visitors, prices are as follows:

  • Classic tour: 6 € per person
  • Flash tour: 3 € per person
  • Free for under-18s accompanied by an adult

Can I take a guided tour outside the scheduled dates?

For individual visitors, tours follow the published programme.

Some dates may be added or changed during the season. Feel free to check our website regularly to find out about upcoming tours.

Other questions

How can I find out the guided tour programme?

The guided tour programme is available from the Verdon Tourisme Tourist Information Offices, on the website, by phone, or via the contact form.
Dates, times, meeting points, prices and booking details are all given there.

In which languages are the tours offered?

Guided tours for individual visitors are mainly offered in French.

Do I need to book my guided tour?

Yes, booking is strongly recommended, and sometimes compulsory, to guarantee your place.
Some tours have a limited number of participants to ensure good conditions for listening, discussion and discovery.

Booking is particularly recommended for unusual tours, such as the theatrical tours in Entrevaux or the lively tours in Colmars-les-Alpes, as well as for the flash tours in Annot and the tours of Senez cathedral.

Bookings can be made at the Verdon Tourisme Tourist Information Offices or via the online shop.

Guided tours for groups

Can a tailor-made guided tour be arranged?

Yes. Tailor-made guided tours can be offered according to your wishes, your audience, the time you have available and your interests.

These tours must fit within the framework of the Pays d’Art et d’Histoire label and the discovery of the area and its heritage: history, architecture, landscapes, villages, traditional skills, local life or remarkable sites.

For any tailor-made tour request, please contact us.

Does the Tourist Office offer guided tours for groups?

Yes. Guided tours can be organised for groups, on request, for up to 50 people.

A group guided tours brochure is also available online.

Do you offer tours for schools?

Yes, tours can be designed for school groups, in line with the curriculum, the pupils’ age and the teacher’s educational objectives.

The content can be adapted to encourage observation, participation and understanding of local heritage.
See the guided tours brochure for school groups.

Other questions

How do I book a guided tour for groups and schools?

For groups or tailor-made tour requests, you can fill in the contact form for groups .

What is the minimum number of people for a group tour?

Group tours are offered on request.

There is not necessarily a minimum number of participants: the price is generally a flat rate per tour. The group can therefore choose to book the tour, whatever its size, if it accepts the price offered.

However, a maximum number of participants is set for each tour to ensure good conditions for discovery. Depending on the tour, capacity may be limited to a maximum of 20, 40 or 50 people.

For the precise conditions of each tour, you can consult the group brochure online.

How much does a guided tour for groups cost?

For groups, prices vary according to the tour chosen, its length and the organisational arrangements. They are a flat rate per tour.

As a guide, group prices are as follows:

  • 2-hour guided tour: 130 €
  • 45-minute “flash” guided tour: 75 €
  • Half day (3 hours): 165 €
  • Full day: 330 €

Prices for group guided tours can be found in our online brochure.

Can group tours be offered in a foreign language?

Yes. Some group tours can be offered in English, on request and subject to guide availability.

We recommend requesting this in advance, when booking or requesting a quote.

Practical information before the tour

Where is the meeting point?

The meeting point depends on the location and type of tour.

Before you come, make sure you check the meeting point given when you booked.

All the practical information is given on the online shop when you book.

Do tours go ahead in bad weather?

Tours may go ahead, be adapted, postponed or cancelled depending on weather conditions and safety requirements.

If in doubt, contact the Tourist Office before the tour starts.

How long does a guided tour last?

The length varies depending on the tour. It can range from a 45-minute flash tour to a more comprehensive tour of 1.5 or 2 hours.

For groups or tailor-made tours, the length can be adapted to your needs, in line with the formats and durations set with the Pays d’Art et d’Histoire label: it can range from 45 minutes to a full day.

Other questions

Are animals allowed on the tours?

This depends on the type of tour, the route and the sites visited.

It is best to check with the Tourist Office before booking.

Accessibility and specific audiences

Are the guided tours suitable for families?

Yes. Some tours are particularly suitable for families, with a lively, accessible and interactive approach.

Depending on the tour, children can discover heritage through anecdotes, observation and conversation with the guide.

To find out which tours are best suited to your family, feel free to ask at the Verdon Tourisme Tourist Information Offices

Are the guided tours accessible to people with reduced mobility?

Accessibility depends on the route chosen and the layout of the sites, streets, steps, slopes or places visited.

We recommend contacting the Tourist Office before booking to check what adjustments are possible.

Are the guided tours suitable for seniors?

Yes. Some tours can be adapted to the group’s pace, with a shorter route, regular stops or more focused content.

We recommend mentioning any specific needs when making your booking request.