Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, classified as one of the most beautiful villages of France (Un Des Plus Beaux Village de France), is well known for it’s Faïence art. The village is located between the famous Verdon George and the lavender route that is crossing the plateau of Valensole.
The village sits astride a rushing mountain stream that divides the two halves with a narrow rocky canyon. The view of this mini-gorge, with small waterfalls down inside and medieval houses above, is beautiful. The sound of the river, and the running fountains all over the village, give Moustiers the feeling of an Alpine village. The village has narrow medieval streets and vaulted passages.
The center piece of the village is the 12th-century Notre-Dame church, beautifully restored in 1928. It’s topped by a four-level Lombard Romanesque (Italianate) bell tower, carved from golden-brown tuff.
The “crown” of the village is the star, suspended high across the Rioul valley by a forged-iron chain. The golden star hangs above the Notre-Dame de Beauvoir chapel, with the chain fastened into solid rock on each side of the gorge. The chain and star project was done as a promise by Sir Blacas, a knight who returned from a long captivity during the crusades.
A small “train” provides guided tours of the village and surrounding points of interest
Villa Soleil 