The Arriere pays de Grasse is well known for its "perched villages", tiny clusters of houses perched on rock outcrops above the gorges. There are too many to name, but within a stones throw, we have St Auban, Le Mas, Gourdon, Rougon, Sigale, Cuebris and Aiglun.

There are lots of other picturesque medieval villages in the area including the fortified towns of Entrevaux and Colmars, constructed by Vauban, and St Paul de Vence, a village of artisans.

Others like Castellane, have market days where you can buy local cheese, dried meat, choose from 20 different types of olives or sit and watch the world go by eating a pain au chocolat. The town of Castellane itself if medieval and well worth a wander around its narrow back streets. Walking up to Notre Dame du Roc, which is the chapel on the rocky outcrop above the town is well worth the effort.

Each little village has its own fete du village in the summer which is well worth going to. This photo shows preparations for the La Sagne village fete.

The Chanan Valley website gives more photos of the countryside and villages just north of St Auban, accessed through the Clue de St Auban, a very remote area.

More specific information can be found about individual villages on the following websites:

• Le Mas. Mist over Le Mas, photo 1, photo 2 by Gerard Therin
• Entrevaux
• Annot
• Moustieres Ste Maire, photo by Gerard Therin
• Bargemon
• Trigance
• Rougon
• Gourdon and its Chateau
• Tourettes sur Loup
• St Paul de Vence
• Valbonne

Check out Alti-Sud's excellent website for more general information and photos of local villages.

Markets are held in nearby towns at the following times: