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The bald-headed “Giant of Provence” is the Vaucluse’s greatest landmark, a vast pyramid of rock which has inspired poets, mystics and botanists for centuries. Rising 1,900 m (6,300 ft), it commands the surrounding landscape, affording astonishing views to the sea, the Alps and the Rhône. Snow-capped in winter, the summit is revealed as arid chalk in summer and buffeted by strong winds all year round. The lower slopes are dense with trees, 1,000 plant varieties and wildlife.

Deep in the heart of the Luberon, the Lure mountain – an extension of the savage massif of Mont Ventoux in neighbouring Vaucluse (see Mont Ventoux) – is Provence at its wildest, least hospitable and, some would say, its loveliest. Abandoned hamlets are reminders of Provence in the first half of the 20th century, when many rural people gave up trying to scrape a living from this harsh countryside.

This 46-room Art Deco showpiece has an Olympic-size pool, a crescent of private beach, three fine restaurants and a general air of exclusive luxury.

One of the tennis circuit’s more prestigious events.

Superb setting in the medieval part of town. The excellent Provençale cooking is of a standard to match.

A swimming pool shaded beneath trees, excellent food, and a delightful location hidden away among vines and pines make this converted olive mill one of the most peaceful and pleasant places to stay.

Tough trail cyclists are spoiled for choice in the Var. The most dramatic trips are around the Verdon gorges (see Grand Canyon du Verdon) but Draguignan, Figanières and Fréjus also provide challenging routes.

The marked trails, up and down mountains, through vineyards, forests, gorges and creeks, are endlessly inviting. Figanières is a key centre in the Upper Var while the Alpes de Haute-Provence has some 1,500 km (900 miles) of marked tracks.

Moustiers, loud with the sound of a swift-running stream which flows through the middle of the village, is simply delightful, with its tall old houses, shady plane trees and flower baskets and, for those who can face the climb, a superb view of the Gorges du Verdon from the clifftop church of Notre-Dame-de-Beauvoir (see Notre-Dame-de-Beaulieu, Cucuron). The village was and is famed for its faïence ware, and you can see wonderful examples in the Musée de la Faïence (see Moustiers-Ste-Marie).

At the entrance to the Verdon gorges (see Grand Canyon du Verdon), Moustiers hangs like a pendant from the rock-face soaring above (see Moustiers-Sainte-Marie). The glorious tangle of vaulted streets, tiny squares and tiled roofs is divided by rushing streams. Up above, tucked against the rocks, is the Notre-Dame-de-Beauvoir chapel (see Moustiers-Sainte-Marie). The village is also celebrated for its pottery.