Small-Group Excursion to Alpine Provence: Entrevaux, Colmars-les-Alpes & Upper Verdon Lakes
This small-group excursion to Alpine Provence reveals a very different side of southern France — more mountainous, fresher, rarer, and far removed from the classic postcard routes of the Luberon or the Riviera. You will discover Entrevaux, Colmars-les-Alpes, the lakes and scenic roads of the Upper Verdon, and in season — depending on conditions — there may also be a hiking option toward Lac d’Allos. This is the right route for travelers who want to see a less obvious Provence: fortified villages, alpine landscapes, and the feeling of a real road trip in a small group.
Format: small-group excursion · 1 fixed departure per week · early start from Nice · approx. 11–12 hours · Alps of Haute-Provence
Book your small-group excursion to Alpine Provence
Your booking request has been successfully sent. We will contact you soon for confirmation.
Group departure is on Saturdays. Send your request and we will confirm seat availability and the practical details for your day.
The highlights of this excursion
The route is built around a strong contrast: from fortified Entrevaux to the lakes and roads of the Upper Verdon, and then onward to Colmars-les-Alpes — one of the most atmospheric fortified mountain towns in this part of Provence.
Entrevaux — a powerful historical start to the day
A stone bridge across the Var, fortress gates, narrow streets and a citadel high above the village. Entrevaux sets the tone immediately: you understand from the first stop that this is not “classic postcard Provence”, but a more rugged and authentic side of the region.
Upper Verdon lakes and a panoramic mountain road
Between Entrevaux and Colmars, the route passes through one of the most beautiful mountain areas of Haute-Provence: passes, gorges, turquoise water, panoramic stops and the feeling of a true alpine road trip.
Colmars-les-Alpes — a fortress in the heart of Haut-Verdon
One of the most authentic highlights of the route: a fortified mountain town with strong history, stone walls and a very different atmosphere from the coast or the classic villages of the Luberon.
Lac d’Allos — a seasonal option for a more nature-led day
The best-known high-altitude lake in the region and one of the strongest natural landmarks of Alpine Provence. In the group format, this part depends on the season, logistics and the overall rhythm of the day, while in the private tour it can be integrated more flexibly and more comfortably.
The same route as a private tour
For a couple, a family, or 2–3 friends, the private format is often the smartest solution: more time in Entrevaux, a gentler pace, freedom over stops, and the possibility to shape the day around your priorities.
How the day unfolds
In the group format, the route remains logical and well balanced: a historical morning stop, a scenic and nature-based middle section, and in the warmer season a softer, more relaxed stop by the water.
Morning — Entrevaux and the first walk
The day begins in Entrevaux: a walk through the old streets, the fortress gates, the atmosphere of a real historical village, and a coffee break. It is a strong opening that immediately gives the excursion its character.
Daytime — lakes, mountain road, and in season Lac d’Allos
The daytime section depends on the season and on the format of that specific departure. The core structure is scenic roads, Upper Verdon lakes and Colmars-les-Alpes. In a more nature-driven season, the route may be strengthened with Lac d’Allos.
Warm season — lake break and pedal boats
In the warmer season, part of the day can be spent by the water in a more relaxed way: pedal boats, kayaks or simply a short lakeside pause. This softens the route nicely in summer, when guests often want not only roads and fortresses, but also a sense of leisure.
Final stop — Colmars-les-Alpes
The day ends in Colmars-les-Alpes — one of the most authentic fortified towns of the Upper Verdon.
What this looks like in the small-group format
- Base scenario: Entrevaux → Upper Verdon lakes → Colmars-les-Alpes → return.
- More nature-led scenario: Entrevaux → a more mountainous section of the route / Lac d’Allos in season → Colmars-les-Alpes → return.
- More relaxed summer scenario: Entrevaux → scenic road and lakes → a stop at Lac de Castillon with water-based activities → Colmars-les-Alpes → return.
Water activities are available seasonally. As a rule of thumb, the most relevant period is usually from mid-June to early September. If you want a fully flexible version of the day, the private tour is the better fit.
Why this excursion really stands out
What makes this direction special is that it shows not a lavender Provence and not a coastal Provence, but a wilder, more mountainous one — with citadels, lakes, passes and a rare alpine atmosphere for southern France.
Here the appeal is not soft village aesthetics, but fortresses, mountain roads, lakes and the scale of the landscape.
Entrevaux and Colmars provide the historical side, while the Upper Verdon and the lakes bring natural power to the route.
A group excursion is a good entry point, but for 2–3 people the private tour often becomes the more logical option.
Who this excursion suits especially well
- Travelers who want to see a less obvious Provence
- Guests who love mountains, panoramic roads and fortified villages
- People who have already seen the coast and want a different type of route
- Travelers looking for a rare day trip in a small-group format
But if what matters to you most is not the group date, but comfort and freedom over timing, then the private version of the route will usually be the stronger choice.
Upper Verdon & Haute-Provence region
If you want to understand the logic of this cluster more broadly, open our regional guide to Upper Verdon and Haute-Provence — it helps explain how different this Provence is from the more familiar visitor routes.
Small-group excursion or private tour?
Both formats make sense here, but they suit different travelers. A small-group excursion is a clear way to access a rare route on a fixed date. A private tour is a more flexible and more relaxed version of the same direction.
When the group format works well
- if the departure day suits you
- if you are traveling solo or want a more accessible format
- if you are comfortable with a shared pace and a fixed structure
- if you want to discover the route without a private-tour budget
When a private tour is the better choice
- if you are 2–3 people and want more comfort
- if you need a different date rather than the group departure
- if you want more flexibility around Lac d’Allos, lakes and stops
- if a gentler and more personalized pace matters to you
In that case, it is better to look directly at the private Alpine Provence tour.
Practical information
This is a long, rich and truly road-based excursion. It requires an early start, but in return it gives that rare feeling of a real journey into one of the most unusual parts of Provence.
Key details
- Duration: approx. 11–12 hours
- Departure: Nice
- Format: small-group excursion with limited seats
- Frequency: usually once a week
- Best for: travelers who love nature, scenic roads and less obvious routes
If you would like the same day without the shared group pace, the private format is noticeably more comfortable.
All group excursions in Provence
Want to compare this direction with other group routes? Explore all our Provence excursions from Nice and the French Riviera.
Frequently asked questions
Below are short answers to the most common questions about the route, Lac d’Allos, and the difference between group and private formats.
Is this excursion mainly about Lac d’Allos or about villages?
How physically demanding is this excursion?
What if the group departure date does not suit us?
Who benefits most from the private version?
Can the same route be done without the hiking section?
Related Provence routes
If you like the idea of strong regional and nature-based routes, it makes sense to look at the private version of this trip, the Upper Provence regional hub, and the related Verdon group excursion.
Private tour to Alpine Provence
The same route, but with much more freedom: your date, your stops, your pace, and a scenario with or without Lac d’Allos.
Upper Verdon & Haute-Provence
A regional hub for this part of Provence: alpine roads, lakes, fortified villages and route logic.
Group excursion to the Verdon Gorge
A related natural route in Provence — less alpine, more canyon-and-lake oriented, but equally impressive.
Book your seat in the group if the fixed departure date works for you. But if you want a more flexible, calmer or more personal version of the day, simply ask us about the private version of the same route.
