Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Department of France in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France
Alpes-de-Haute-Provence is an administrative district in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southeastern France, stretching from Mediterranean climate zones to Alpine summits. The district includes valleys, high plateaus, and mountain ranges with rivers like the Durance and Verdon that have carved deep gorges through limestone.
The district formed during the French Revolution in 1790 under the name Basses-Alpes, named for the lower elevations south of the main Alpine ridge. Authorities changed the name to Alpes-de-Haute-Provence in April 1970 to reflect the high-elevation areas and the connection to Provence.
Lavender grows in large fields across the plateaus around Valensole, painting the landscape with violet rows every year between June and August. Visitors can watch the harvest and see how essential oil is extracted in small local distilleries.
Roads alternate between narrow mountain passes and broad valleys, so travelers should allow extra time for routes crossing ridges. Fuel stations and supply options are less common in smaller mountain villages than in the larger valley towns.
The road over the Col de la Bonnette climbs through the highest paved mountain pass in France at over 2800 m (9200 ft) in elevation, offering open views of summits and valleys. The switchbacks are only drivable between June and October, as snow blocks the route for the rest of the year.
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