Alpes-de-Haute-Provence |
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| The Alpes-de-Haute-Provence is squeezed between the department of the Hautes Alpes to the north, the Drôme and the Vaucluse to the west, the Var and the Alpes-Maritimes to the south and the Italian Alps to the east. | |
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| The northern and eastern parts of the department are dominated by the high summits of the Prealps and the high-lying valleys of Ubaye, Blanche and Haut-Verdon, which together with the Parc National du Mercantour constitute one of Europe’s biggest nature reserves. In the southern part the impressive canyons, the Gorges du Verdon, dominate with their fantastic natural scenery of lakes and canyons as well as the deserted Valensole plains which in July look magnificent with their endless rows of lavender. The western part has a more Provencal landscape around Forcalquier with green hills, undulating vineyards and a milder climate. Here, you also find the lush Durance valley with fruit plantations and vegetables as well as the northern part of the Lubéron massif. | |
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| The Alpes-de-Haute-Provence has magnificent natural scenery, high-lying lakes, mountains, glacier valleys and colourful meadows with alpine plants, castles and citadels, fortified villages, perched in the mountains, thermal villages like Gréoux-les-Bains and the pretty town of Digne, which has attracted visitors for more than a hundred years. | |
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| The climate in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence varies substantially according to latitude and altitude. In the southern/south-western part of the department there is a temperate coastal climate with high temperatures in the summer and relatively mild weather in the winter. The northern/north-eastern part of the department has mountains of 3,000 metres altitude and an alpine climate. In the centre of the department which is dominated by lower mountains the climate varies between an alpine climate and a mild temperate coastal climate. | |
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