Koko Holidays at Les Collines de Castellane

Challenging hiking routes are all around you in the Verdon Natural Regional Park countryside; Sentier Blanc Martel is one of the most best-known and leads through the Verdon Gorge (55 minutes’ drive to the starting point), or you could drive up to the Point Sublime viewpoint (30 minutes) for Insta-worthy photos as well as shorter hiking trails. There’s high adventure to be had in the gorge itself, with a range of extreme sports from canyoning to bungee jumping and via ferrata climbing courses. Keen cyclists might consider the long haul up to Europe’s highest mountain lake, Lac d’Allos (four hours by bike), while the whole family can enjoy gentle loop trails around Castellane (40 minutes by bike). Slow the pace for relaxing days exploring by car. Head for pretty Provençal towns like Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, Colmars and Entrevaux (all an hour) to rootle around in farmers’ markets for lavender and soap, or head to Fayence (55 minutes) for brightly coloured ceramics.