Neighbourhood highlights
The purest air in Europe, 300 days of sunshine a year, dry and warm air, the night breeze of Haute Provence, the calm of olive and lavender fields: you are at the crossroads of the regional nature parks of the Luberon, the Provençal Baronies, the Verdon and the geological reserve of Haute Provence, at the foot of the southern slope of the Lure mountain.
It is in this unique setting that our region offers its sporting, astronomical, cultural and heritage activities. Its gastronomy and regional products will make your taste buds vibrate.
Walking and walking tours: your hostess Lucie can take you on the trails and go hiking with you in the area from a few hours to several days. The Alpes-de-Haute-Provence offers 5,000 km of marked trails including 800 km of GR, 700 km of GR of countries and more than 3,500 km of PR. In the spring, you'll walk between wild peonies, southern tulips and fragrant asperules. In summer, you can stroll between lavender and small secret corners that can refresh you. In autumn, nature will become flamboyant. In the winter, you'll catch some chamois by the way of a ski or snowshoe ride, before heading home for a hot chocolate by the fire.
The round of jas, which starts directly from the bastide (3 to 4h, 9km, accessible to children without problems) will show you the pastoral tradition of the region.
Another extraordinary geological location with impressive landscapes is within 30 minutes : the Haute Provence Geopark.
Why not take the opportunity to introduce your children to the bivouac in the countryside, or spend the evening with the family around a campfire?
We can lend you hiking maps and advise you.
Bike and mountain bike : Cruis is a city stop on the great mountain bike crossing of the Alpes de haute Provence. We are also located between 2 mountain bike bases (Val de Durance and Pays de Forcalquier - Montagne de Lure) which offer you nearly 500 km of circuits and thirty courses of all levels.
You can also go by bicycle (early morning of course...) directly on the country roads from the bastide, with or without electric assistance (http://www.easyveloelectric.fr).
Horseback riding : for horse lovers, we recommend the Rocher d 'Ongle at 12km or the Janssaud Horseback Riding Centre at 15 km.
Canyoning, rafting, whitewater sports: rivers or stretches of rivers close to the bastide will allow you to descend canyons or water hiking: Durance, the lower part of Buech, Asse and Bléone in periods of strong waters.
A little further, Ubaye, Verdon, Var, these three giants of whitewater sports invite you to discover the pleasures of canoeing, rafting, whitewater swimming, canyon descent, water hiking, without forgetting a real network of clues (about fifty courses).
Not to mention trout fishing in all these fishy rivers...
Swimming : the clear waters of the gorges of the Méouge and Trévans invite you to swim. Less than 15 km from the bastide, in Sisteron, the 5,000 m2 Les Marres water body is reserved for swimming and offers a play area including a skate board area and a health course. The Buissonnades in Oraison (30 minutes from the bastide, three small lakes on an area of 18 ha) offer the possibility of swimming or fishing and a botanical trail.
Aerial sports: For lovers of paragliding, hang gliding, gliding, ULM or gliding, the aerology of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence allows you to discover grandiose landscapes all year round.
Climbing and via ferrata: 600 routes are open in Haute Provence, with all levels of difficulty. A fun and thrilling alternative, 3 via ferrata are available in the area. Advantage : these sports can be enjoyed all year round thanks to our privileged sunshine.
Skiing and snowshoeing: In the mountains dear to Giono, the Lure mountain ski resort, 10 km as the crow flies from the village of Cruis, is a family resort with an exceptional panorama. A place for gentle skiing discovery and learning, but also a prime starting point for Nordic hiking, skiing or snowshoeing. The estate is located between 1600 and 1850 m above sea level.
Astronomy
For astronomical enthusiasts, we have installed 2 bases on the property to attach your telescopes.
The Société astronomique de la montagne de Lure or the Observatoire de Saint-Michel l 'Observatoire allow you to explore further and offer you many activities to discover the stars.
Provence hides its mysteries behind their evidence. Jean Giono
Without being able to quote everything, here are a few heritage places to discover absolutely before leaving :
Less than 2 minutes away : the village of Cruis, with its church of the eleventh century and its altarpiece in golden wood, its nineteenth century santons, its sculpted stone, its oratory, its washhouse, its stone alleys...
Less than 30 minutes away : many jas, traces of pastoral activity still present in our territory, Notre-Dame de Lure, the castle and its rotunda in Simiane-la-Rotonde, Forcalquier, Sisteron and its citadel, the penitents of the Mées, Notre-Dame de Ganagobie abbey, the priory of Salagon, the Abbey of Valsaintes and its garden, the Jean Giono museum in Manosque.
Barely an hour or less : Sylvacane abbey in la Roque d 'Anthéron, the butterfly garden of Dignes-les-Bains, Aix-en-Provence, the character villages of the Luberon, etc.
Less than 2 hours : Avignon, the Museum of Prehistory in Quinson, the village of Riez and its Roman remains, Moustiers Sainte-Marie (its earthenware, its village, Lake Sainte-Croix), etc.
Théâtre Durance : stage agreed, it offers a rich cultural program (in Château Arnoux – Saint Auban)
Some festivals not to be missed : Cruis en jazz, the Rencontres Musicales de Haute-Provence in Forcalquier, the international festival of Lyric Art and the Easter festival in Aix-en-Provence, the Nuits de la citadelle in Sisteron, the rich musical hours of the Rotonde in Simiane-la-Rotonde, the biodiversity festival in Digne-les-Bains and Chateaux-Arnoux, the Correspondances festival in Manosque,...
A professional choir in residence in Cruis : Hysope.
Provençal markets: to discover the aromas, scents and flavours of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence terroir, nothing better than to spend a moment in a market.
• Cruis : Saturday morning
• Forcalquier: Monday morning and Thursday from 15: 00 to 19: 00 all year round; daily morning from May to September
• Château-Arnoux-Saint-Auban : Sunday morning
• Sisteron: Wednesday and Saturday morning
• Les Mées: Tuesday and Friday morning
• Digne-les-Bains: Wednesdays and Saturdays mornings
• All markets in the Alpes de Haute Provence here
Some restaurants nearby:
• L 'auberge de l 'abbaye, Cruis (300 m)
• Le Bar des Alpes, bistrot de pays, Cruis (300 m)
• Le Fougassais, Malfougasse (6 km)
• Le Pré orcger, Ongles (11 km)
• Les 4 saisons, Peyruis (16 km)
• Les Bistrots de Pays du 04
• La Bonne Etape, Châteaux Arnoux (22 km)
• La Marmite du Pêcheur, Les Mées (16 km)
• L'Auberge des Pénitents, Les Mées (16 km)
• Le Couvent des Minimes, Mane (21 km)
• Le Bistrot de l 'Almondier, Sigonce (10 km)
