Digne-les-Bains / Tartonne

While Sisteron marks your arrival in the département of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, the Pays Dignois lies at the heart of this French county. In this mountainous area straddling the French Alps and Provence, you can admire mountain summits and lavender fields at the same time! The P’tites Routes du Soleil® cycle route does follow a stretch of the Nationale 85 trunk road, also known as the Route Napoléon. The Emperor marched along this road in 1815, going south to north, not quite in the same circumstances as you! With his troops, he crossed the Col de Corobin (a pass at 1,211m) to head on to Grenoble during the epic period known as the 100 Jours, extending from Napoleon’s return from exile in Elba to his defeat at Waterloo.

Don't miss:

• Barrême lavender distillery and aromatic plants: standing out with its tall brick chimney, this factory building is dedicated to craft production in the Verdon valleys, plus there’s a trail to follow, maybe using the apps Secrets de Fabriques.

• UNESCO Haute-Provence Geopark: created in order to protect and preserve the area’s exceptional geological heritage, this geopark served as model for the development of many further such parks around the globe.