Tours of this small observatory include the chance to see its working 193cm central telescope, plus a film about the centre’s research. Buy tickets for the 30-minute guided tour from the ticket office in the nearby village of St-Michel l'Observatoire; in July and August there’s a free shuttle. The observatory is at the end of the D305, 2km north of St-Michel l’Observatoire. Call ahead in the low season.
Observatoire de Haute-Provence
Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
29.81 MILES
Aix established one of France's first public museums here, on the site of a former Hospitallers' priory, in 1838. Nearly 200 years of acquisitions …
26.94 MILES
If you're searching for that classic postcard shot of the medieval abbey surrounded by a sea of purple lavender, look no further. This sublime Cistercian…
26.1 MILES
East of Aix rises Cézanne’s favourite haunt, the magnificent silvery ridge of Montagne Ste-Victoire, its dry slopes carpeted in garrigue (scented scrub),…
11.2 MILES
Named after its fiery red and orange landscape (which locals likened to Colorado), this former ochre quarry is one of the best places to appreciate the…
22.42 MILES
In the scrubby hills about 6km south of Bonnieux, a twisty back road slopes up to this wonderful cedar forest, whose spreading boughs provide welcome…
-
29.85 MILES
The Caumont is a stellar art space housed inside the Mazarin quarter’s grandest 18th-century hôtel particulier (mansion). While there are three quality…
-
29.62 MILES
Beneath the limestone cliffs an easy 1km walk from the village, the magical spring after which the village is named gushes forth at an incredible rate –…
-
2.45 MILES
Situated 4km south of Forcalquier near Mane, this peaceful priory dates from the 13th century. It’s well worth a visit to wander around its medieval herb…
Nearby Alpes-de-Haute-Provence attractions
2.45 MILES
Situated 4km south of Forcalquier near Mane, this peaceful priory dates from the 13th century. It’s well worth a visit to wander around its medieval herb…
4.34 MILES
To reach Forcalquier's citadel and its little octagonal chapel, it’s a 20-minute walk uphill via shady backstreets and winding steps. At the top there’s a…
5.62 MILES
If all the olive groves around Provence have inspired your curiosity, head 15km southeast of Foraclaquier to Volx, where this intriguing eco-museum…
8.51 MILES
This family-run cheese farm near Banon makes superb chèvre de Banon (Banon goat's cheese). It's about 3.5km south of the village along the D51; look out…
5. Château de Simiane-la-Rotonde
9.62 MILES
Forming part of the 12th-century fortified castle built by the Simiane-Agoult family, who were one of the region's most powerful medieval dynasties, this…
6. Monastère Notre Dame de Ganagobie
10.89 MILES
Ganagobie’s otherworldly monastery is an essential stop. Founded in the 10th century, it’s still home to a working Benedictine community, whose products,…
11.2 MILES
Named after its fiery red and orange landscape (which locals likened to Colorado), this former ochre quarry is one of the best places to appreciate the…
13.03 MILES
Travelling north from Forcalquier towards Sisteron, you can’t miss the mysterious Rochers des Mées: rows and rows of rocky pinnacles, some as high as 100m…