Famous all over the world for its faience earthenware, the village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, one of France's "Most Beautiful Villages", forms a remarkable group of buildings. Typically Provençal and looking rather like a nativity scene with the big gold star hanging above it, the village is full of charm with narrow streets and little squares to wander through, refreshing fountains, faience workshops and boutiques, and smartly-fronted houses dominated by the imposing Lombard Romanesque bell tower of Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption church.
Ceramics fans should make a point of visiting the faience museum for its fantastic collection of fine glazed earthenware dating from the 17th century to today produced by master potters from Moustiers.
Above the village, built into the high limestone cliffs, stands Notre-Dame-de-Beauvoir chapel. This beautiful Romanesque-Gothic building is only accessible on foot and takes 20 minutes to reach via a steep footpath consisting of 262 stone steps and lined with stations of the cross. At the top, walkers are rewarded with a fantastic view over the village rooftops, the Maire valley and Valensole plateau.
