Aups is a village with a strong character, vibrant with life and history.

Considered the "capital of Haut-Var," Aups lies close to the turquoise waters of Sainte-Croix Lake and the majestic Verdon Gorges. Surrounded by wooded hills, where holm oaks and maritime pines mingle with the scents of Provence, Aups is a privileged haven for travelers.

Its markets brim with flavors and colors, while summer brings a host of performances, concerts, and events that animate the village's centuries-old streets. Aups is also renowned as a temple of the truffle, hosting every winter the famous black diamond market on Thursdays.

A Medieval Village

The village has preserved the soul of its medieval past. Four beautifully conserved gates open onto the historic center, where time seems suspended. Strolling through the narrow streets of Aups is a delight: ochre-colored facades, medieval houses, small shaded squares with murmuring old fountains, fragments of forgotten ramparts, and a few sundials—silent guardians of bygone days.

A Turbulent History

Aups, whose Provençal name evokes the Alps, was once a Roman settlement on the Saint-Marc plateau, overlooking the village protectively. Its turbulent history still resonates in its stones. In the 10th century, Saracens preyed upon it, and later, Huguenots sowed terror here.

In the 19th century, it was also the site of an insurrection following Louis Bonaparte’s coup d’état. A stronghold of the Resistance during the Second World War, the area is now dotted with memorials honoring the resistants who gave their lives to free it from German occupation.

Find a Guest house near the Verdon Gorges

For those who stroll along its cobbled streets, Aups offers an ideal starting point to discover the treasures of a region bathed in sun and history.