Located on the departmental road leading to the Gorges du Verdon, the village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence benefits from a significant traffic axis that multiplies its summer population. The municipality of 720 inhabitants relies on its tourist reputation (one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France and a major site for earthenware) and its geographical location near the Gorges du Verdon, Valensole plateau, and Sainte-Croix Lake. Throughout July and August, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie welcomes numerous summer visitors in its many hotels, campsites, holiday villages, lodges, and bed and breakfasts. The habitat and commercial and tourist activity of the 22,410-acre (9,070 ha) municipality are mainly concentrated on the southwest slope around the historic village of Moustiers, between the Riou and Notre-Dame ravines.