Riez: Heritage and routes on the Valensole Plateau

Riez appeals to travellers interested in historic heritage and routes through the countryside. Highlights include the baptistery, the Chapelle Saint-Maxime, a walking tour of fountains and washhouses, and hiking and cycling routes on the Valensole Plateau. If you’re looking for a hotel in Riez, you can plan your stay around whether you’d prefer to explore the buildings or spend time on the surrounding trails.

Historic buildings and views

The Hôtel de Mazan, dating from 1523, features a staircase with remarkable plasterwork. The Baptistery of Riez was built at the beginning of the 5th century; eight columns and the baptismal font are still visible there. The buildings date from very different periods: the baptistery is the oldest, while the Hôtel de Mazan dates from the 16th century.

Another historic site is the Chapelle Saint-Maxime. It was built in 1655 on Saint-Maxime Hill, which overlooks the village of Riez. From the chapel, you can see Riez and the surrounding terrain, stretching as far as the ridges of the Valensole Plateau. In Riez, buildings from different centuries sit alongside a landscape experience that takes in the town and its surroundings.

Explore Riez and the countryside on foot

You can explore Riez’s heritage on foot along the Circuit de l'eau. This walk takes in numerous fountains and washhouses. So exploring the town means more than visiting individual buildings: it also leads to the water points that define this route.

The landscape also offers different ways to enjoy the outdoors: Riez’s natural scenery includes olive trees, lavender, and sheep, and is popular with hikers. From Riez, you can hike or cycle along trails through the protected landscapes of the Valensole Plateau. For hikers, the long-distance trail La Routo GR®69 includes two stages of different lengths: Valensole to Riez is 18.5 kilometres, and Riez to Saint-Jurs is 16 kilometres. The stage to Riez is therefore 2.5 kilometres longer than the next stage starting from Riez—a useful comparison when planning these routes.

Cycling route and other tours

The Boucle de La Romaine is a signposted cycling route starting in Riez. It passes through lavender fields to Puimoisson and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, with views of Lac de Sainte-Croix. The lavender and views of the lake give this route its distinctive scenery.

Another option is the Basses Gorges du Verdon tourist route. It starts in Riez and heads towards Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon. Together with the Boucle de La Romaine and the trails on the Valensole Plateau, these routes offer different options for planning your trip: a signposted cycle route with named destinations, trails for hiking or cycling, and a tourist route towards the Verdon.

Getting there and finding a hotel

Bus routes connect Riez with Manosque and Digne-les-Bains. Check the timetable before travelling, as routes and schedules may change. This lets you plan your trip around the area’s features.

Discover more destinations: Entrepierres, Gréoux-Les-Bains, Chaudon-Norante, Soleilhas, Entrevaux, Mison, Castellane, Saint-Julien-Du-Verdon.

For the broader travel overview: Alpes-De-Haute-Provence.