The tip of our trip to the above mentioned village during our stay in Provence came several times. Adding to this the date of foundation of the village, the year 433 n. and the fact that the entire Verdon Natural Park is listed on the UNESCO list is no longer to be addressed. In addition, the view of the map announces that the Verdon River is flowing south of the village, and over 1900 meters high in the east and north.
The last morning in Aix-de-Provence we start with a small breakfast and look at the blue sky. Today we have a beautiful but very hot day. This is confirmed already at the exit from the city by road A 51 direction SV. Traffic is as small as the junction with Road 952, which continues to our destination. There is nowhere to hurry, sometimes we are tempted by the spectacular views of the mountains or the Verdon Valley. We are also a little surprised when a board with the inscription of our village appears. Signposts lead us to the parking lot, we have to pay, which proves to be a problem. And not just ours. The parking ticket refuses to give the vendor the knowledge of the French. After a few minutes, we finally made it and we can go.
We get to the street on the eastern side of the village and go to its center. The alley of trees provides a pleasant shade and several fountains offer refreshing cool water. There are many shops and restaurants in the area, so it continues to the liveliest street. This is already swarming with tourists, even though the thermometer has risen above 26 ° C. Looking at the rocks above us and the steep La Maire, it can be said that the village was built in a rather steep ravine. There are flowers around that are everywhere. We walk to a small square, on the southern side of which stands the Romanesque church of Notre-Dame-å Assomption.
The church was built in the 12th century. There is not much light inside, but after a while, there is something to admire. The thick walls, the beautiful vault and the triumphal arch are wonderful. Interior furnishings are simple, but they belong to Romanesque churches. We return to the square and a golden star hung high above the village fell into our eyes. The star above the valley was hung in the early Middle Ages. When it was not exactly known and why it was hung up, it is a mystery. One of the many legends states that the knight captured by Saracena promised that if he returned home he would hang the star here. Over the centuries the star has fallen several times, the current one hung in 1995. The diameter is 1, 25 meters, weighs 150 kg and hangs on a 135-meter-long silver chain.
Tourists mostly head to Chapelle Notre-Dame de Beauvoir. We go to admire the walls, the river in the ravine and get to the western edge of the village. There is a narrow street between the houses that leads us under the white rock. The temperature is not far from the age of thirty, the sun knows more about itself. The footpath winds up the rock and I do what to do next. After seventy years, the rocks are already getting worse, but on the other side the rock offers some flora and there is a wolf cave somewhere up there. The crown must decide, so after a while we climb up. Above all, bells and St. John's wort bloom and there are several unknown beauties. I feel sweat running down my back, sometimes I go to all four, and suddenly we're on the straight. Below us are the roofs of the village. A little further down the river valley and above us is a white rock spike.
The path passes here without securing to the wolf cave. The wolf statue and the little altar girl are really there. We continue on the path to the wide road, from which the village goes to the chapel. There are stone crosses of the Way of the Cross, a beautiful bridge below us and a staircase to the chapel above us. There are several slender cypress trees and you can relax for a while. Follows the ascent to the chapel. The chapel has been standing here since the 8th century, but there are newer modifications to it. There are tables inside on the walls, with votive texts for healing. The interior equipment is modest. We are returning from the chapel already in a modified way. We offer views of the surrounding area. The hills outside the village were largely occupied by olives and fruit trees. On the way, we meet several tourists and see that the heat does not do much to anyone.
The village is also known for its very interesting ceramics. It has been produced here for several centuries in blue, yellow and green colors. She was and still is very popular throughout the country. It is said that in the 17th century, ceramics was in every major family of the French nobility. The village is also a museum of faience. We're going back to the village. Hunger and thirst remind us that not only are people watching live. Although the refreshment options are quite a lot here, we had to go around a few before we found vacancies. Thanks to quick service we had food and drink soon on the table. We spent a few hours here and say that Moustiers Sainte Marie is one of the most beautiful villages in France.
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