Alpes-de-Haute-Provence is a department located in the southeastern region of France, in the heart of
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. The department was formerly a part of the province of Provence and is bordered by five other departments: Alpes-Maritimes, Drôme, Var, Vaucluse, and Hautes-Alpes. The department's eastern border is shared with Italy. The department is divided into three areas: terrain, climate, population, and economy. The first is the Haute-Provence, characterised by its plateaux, hills, and valleys. The second is the Lower Alps, an intermediate mountain area of valleys and remote villages. The third is the Hautes-Alpes, which includes the valleys of Ubaye, Blanche, and the high Verdon.
Discover Alpes de Haute Provence - Houses & Lifestyle in Alpes de Haute Provence
Alpes-de-Haute-Provence is a department located in the southeastern region of France, in the heart of
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. The department was formerly a part of the province of Provence and is bordered by five other departments: Alpes-Maritimes, Drôme, Var, Vaucluse, and Hautes-Alpes. The department's eastern border is shared with Italy. The department is divided into three areas: terrain, climate, population, and economy. The first is the Haute-Provence, characterised by its plateaux, hills, and valleys. The second is the Lower Alps, an intermediate mountain area of valleys and remote villages. The third is the Hautes-Alpes, which includes the valleys of Ubaye, Blanche, and the high Verdon.
Mountain Peaks and Notable Roads
In the Haute-Ubaye region, the mountain peaks exceed 3,000 meters above sea level, and all passes are located close to or above 2,000 meters. The department has one of the highest roads in Europe, the main road D64, which reaches 2802 metres near the Col de la Bonette (2715 m) and connects the region of Barcelonnette to the Tinée and Vésubie valleys.
Climate Characteristics
The climate of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department is Mediterranean, with variations by altitude and latitude. In the lower valleys and flatlands, an inland Mediterranean climate prevails, whereas it is more mixed in the hills. The valley of the Ubaye is characteristic of the inner
Alps, characterised by a pronounced continentality. Winters are very harsh, with stormy summers.
Access Challenges
Due to the department's natural conditions, many roads in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence are narrow and winding. This makes access to certain parts of the department difficult, especially
in winter and particularly in the communes in the Arrondissements of Barcelonnette and Castellane. As a result, these areas are relatively isolated from the rest of the department and the region.
Key Information about Alpes-de-Haute-Provence (04)
- Main City/Prefecture: Digne-les-Bains
- Nearest Airport: Marseille-Provence Airport
- Population: Around 165,000 (as of the latest census)
- Area: 6,925 sq. kilometres and 2,673 sq. miles
- Landmark: Verdon Gorge (Gorges du Verdon), one of Europe’s most breathtaking canyons, perfect for hiking, kayaking, and climbing.
- Number of Tourists/Year: Approx. 2 million, drawn by its lavender fields, alpine scenery and charming Provençal villages
Property Prices in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence in 2025
- Houses: the average price per sq. metre: €2,294 (source: Le Figaro - October 2025)
- Apartments: average price per sq. metre: €2,697 (source: Le Figaro - October 2025)
- Price trends: +4% over the last 12 months, +38% over the last 5 years (Le Figaro)
House Prices in the Main Towns in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence in 2025
- Average House Price in Manosque: €2,592 per sq. metre
- Average House Price in Digne-les-Bains: €2,117 per sq. metre
- Average House Price in Sisteron: €2,466 per sq. metre
(source:
Le Figaro - October 2025)
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