The Basses Combes are located in the sunny highlands of "Haute Provence" halfway between the warm shores of the Mediterranean and the Alps. Here one of France's most extraordinary Natural Regional Nature Parksprotects and ensures the continuity of a centuries-old landscape dominated by the high Vaucluse hills and the Mont Ventoux's twin sister: la montagne de Lure.

Vachères is an ideal spot to discover the provencal backcountry. Our region's numerous hiking and rambling paths and small country roads will open a door to Provence that few people ever take the time to discover. Whether by foot, bicycle, horseback or car, you will be transported back in time to discover a slower and more human-scaled land filled with sights and treasures that will enchant you, including:

- the beautiful provencal highlands,
- the deep Oppedette canyon
- the colorful and unique ocre outcroppings and quarries of Rustrel,
- the turquoise-blue Durance and Verdon lakes,
- our region's typical villages and towns: Banon, Reillanne, Forcalquier,..
- the modern astronomical observatory of St Michel l'Observatoire,
- the ethnological conservatory of Salagon Priory,
- the rustic Carluc Priory,
- the perched Ganagobie Monastery,
- the stone shepard huts of the windswept Contadour hills etc.. . ..

You will be carried away by our region's rich diversity of:
- sometimes soft and rounded, sometimes stark and wild landscapes,
- contrasting colors and sights, and
- heady odours and exquisite tastes.

Be prepared to fall in love with our region!!

English-Language:
The Salagon Priory
The Alpes de Haute Provence website
www.provenceweb.fr

French-Language:
http://www.vivre-culture.com/index2.htm (Cultural events in Haute Provence)
http://www.alpes-haute-provence.com/adri/index.htm (Rambling and Hiking guides for the region)
http://www.museeprehistoire.com (the Quinson Museum of prehistory)

• Gallimard Guides:
  - Parc Naturel Régional Luberon
  - Haute Provence
  - Vaucluse
• Pays de Haute Provence de Lure au Luberon
  (ADRI - Les Alpes de Lumière)
• Carnets d'un voyageur attentif de Patrick Ollivier-Elliott (Edisud)
  - Luberon
  - Pays de Lure, Forcalquier, Manosque et de Giono
  - Terres de Sault, d'Albion et de Banon