Gréoux les Bains, the “Romantic Oasis of the Verdon”
“This region has a charm […]. I know of no place more healing of boredom than Gréoulx. Just as this blessed place cures rheumatism with the old remedies of waters older than the world […]. This region, its charms I wish to enumerate, cures boredom with the remedies created by God for this purpose. The only remedies, in my opinion, and I would like people to agree with me on this point from the outset.”
This is how the famous Provencal writer Jean Giono (in “Provence”) described Gréoux les Bains…
A touch of history…
Renowned since antiquity for its hot springs, the Romans built a spa here. They named the locality Nymphis Grisélius (in reference to the nymphs, goddesses of nature and, more specifically, of springs).
The name was to evolve until 1923, when the word “les bains” was added to highlight the town’s long history of thermal baths (dating back to the 1st century BC…).
A typically Provencal village, Gréoux les Bains boasts a Templar castle and medieval rampart, shady squares, narrow cobbled streets criss-crossed by staircases, vaulted passageways, washhouses and fountains, chapels, a church and houses with colorful facades…
A little géography…
Located at an altitude of 368m, Greoux les Bains (04800) is at the crossroads of 4 départements (Alpes de Haute Provence, Bouches du Rhône, Var and Vaucluse) and 2 Regional Nature Parks (Luberon and Verdon).
Bordered by the Verdon river, it enjoys a dry, sunny microclimate (around 300 days of sunshine a year), making it “the purest sky in Europe”…
The banks of the Verdon river have been laid out as a health trail, allowing you to explore several kilometers of the river safely on foot or by bike.
A bit of shopping…
– Weekly market every Thursday morning, Wednesday craft market in season, Friday night market in summer…
– Maison Durandeu: pastry, confectionery, chocolate, tea room over a hundred years old! The only one in the region to offer calissons… Gastronomic critic Gilles Pudlowski even writes about them on his blog!
– Couleurs Paysannes : (real) local producers’ store where you’ll find a wide variety of products: fruit & vegetables, charcuterie & meats, cheeses, breads & pastries, fruit juices, beers & wines*, honeys & jams, Provencal herbs, olive oil, soaps & essential oils, sweets… They are present in Manosque, Valensole and Venelles.
– Santons Truffier-Douzon : awarded by a label, this craftsman’s family has been making santons for 200 years.
– Chateau Rousset : Gréoux les Bains’ only vineyard, it offers a full range of whites, reds and rosés*. It also produces olive oil.
(*) Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health.
To have a drink, a bite to eat, enjoy an ice cream…
– La Caverne : member of the “Maitres Restaurateurs” and “disciple of Escoffier” (french labels), you can enjoy semi-gastronomic cuisine at a moderate price. Reservations are recommended. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays and in January.
– La Marmite Provençale : traditional restaurant with pleasant patio (also has an indoor room). Closed Wednesday and Thursday.
– Le Jardin des Lilas : traditional restaurant with a small but very pleasant terrace in a quiet location (also has an indoor room). Closed Monday and Tuesday.
– Café Colombero : Brasserie with generous cuisine and reasonable prices (opposite the casino). Closed Mondays.
– L’Ardoise : wine bar where you can also enjoy a meal. Closed off-season (mid-December to mid-February)
– Le Grysélien : for a quick bite to eat or an ice cream. As they don’t have an indoor room (just a terrace), they’re only open on sunny days. Opposite the Tourist Office.
– Rôtisserie du Jet d’Eau : takeaway (chicken, hams, paellas, French fries, Asian dishes). Closed evenings and off-season (December to March).
– Pizza Lolo : takeaway or delivery pizzas
What to do…
Particularly during the thermal baths’ opening season (March to December), a wide range of activities are on offer:
– cultural (concerts, exhibitions, films, theater, conferences…)
– leisure (Casino, bridge, water sports, fishing…)
– discovery (guided tours, hiking and cycling…)
– sports (climbing, canyoning, accrobranche, tennis, fitness trail and fitness equipment on the banks of the Verdon…)
– Le Congress Center “l’Étoile” (cinema, concerts including the Gréoux Jazz Festival in September…)