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Main page Haute Provence

Introduction and Manosque

Riez and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie

Gorges du Verdon

From Castellane to Saint-André-les-Alpes

Train de Pignes (1)

Train de Pignes (2) -Journey

Annot, authentic village

Haute Provence-Forcalquier

Entrevaux-Colmars

Col d'Allos-Barcelonnette

Lac de Serre-Ponçon-Sisteron

Montagne de la Lure

Forcalquier

Digne les Bains 

Land of contrasts and light, the tumbling slopes of the Lure mountainrange, only enamelled by the blue colour of the gentians as soon as the snow melts, smelling Provencal herbs like the sarriette, the Durance stretching its vast bed of cobblestones, we drive over the D 13 towards FORCALQUIER.
It’s one of the most appealing towns of the area, where locals happily welcome visitors during the summer months but don’t allow the brief invasion to disrupt the rhythm of their lives.
It has the advantage of a favourable location for itsagriculture and raising herds on the plateau.
This gallo-roman village planted along the Via Domitium exists since the Middle Ages.  Rivals of the counts of Provence, the seigneurs de Forcalquier ruled a very small state going from Sault, Gap and Embrun to the north, Manosque and Pertuis to the south. During that time, Forcalcquier served as the capital of the Haute Provence, making it a centre for culture and trade and a favourite residence for the counts of Provence. Numerous architectural traces of this past are still to be seen in the heart of the city. Making their own mint and promulgate their own laws they finally have to integrate the kingdom of France under Louis XI through forced marriages and other alliances. The city loses its prestige But today, it's again active, wealthy and proud of its past.
For anecdotal history: it’s a few miles from here that took place one of the most mysterious and never solved murder of English tourists in France’s modern history: the “Dominici Affair”.
But the real flavour of the city can be tasted more sharply simply by taking an aimless wander around the splendid alleyways of the old town since Forcalquier boasts a clutch of reasonable “interesting” sights. 
Small squares, vaulted streets, and dead–ends turn around the main square where the austere “CHURCH NOTRE DAME” shows its central nave, choir, transept and church tower dating fro the early. The  “COUVENT DES CORDELIERS “, a Franciscan convent of the 13th, was rebuilt in the 17th and 19th century and restored in the sixties and now part of a privileged private housing, part visitable monument on the main square. Almost every narrow street is lined with fine stone doorways and arches that are decorated with chiselled plaques, scrolls and intricate relief.
We find the Jewish quarter, the rue des Cordeliers with its door mounting towards the Monte des Hates Likes towards the “CITADELLE” perched on a rock, giving you the opportunity to view a superb panorama on Forcalquier the Alps, the Plateau de Valensole, Sainte-Baume, Luberon, Ventoux...
Also on this rock is the actual location of the CHAPELLE-NOTRE-DAME DE PROVENCE built in 1875. The descent towards the centre goes along the steep small streets bordered by beautiful houses before arriving at the quarter Saint-Pierre and the place Saint-Michel.  This miniscule square, where the sunlight rebounds in each window before irisating the water of the superb fountain (1512), standing in the middle. Here is the weekly rendezvous for antique dealers on Sunday and foire et primeurs every Monday morning. Along the rue de Pastère, a few charm boutiques leading to the square with attractive and alluring terraces.

A few good addresses:

- Distillerie et domaine de Provence. Créateurs, outre de nombreux apéritifs et digestifs aux plantes du pastis Henri Bardouin. Avenue Saint Promasse Tel : 04-92-75-15-41
- Moulin Masse (extraction de l’huile à l’ancienne) à Lurs Tel : 04-92-78-75-06
- Fromage de Banon à Limans, chez Joël Corbon Tel : 04-92-73-01-54
Office de Tourisme 8 place du Bourguet, BP 15  04301 Forcalquier Tel : 04-92-75-10-02 - Fax : 04-92-75-26-76

Bibliography

A guide to Provence, by Michael Jacobs (Viking, London 1988), “Aspects of Provence, by Pope-Henessy James (Penguin Travel 1988)–« Towns in Provence », by M.F.KFischer (New-York-Vintage books 1983), « Regain » by Jean Giono, « Hannibal’s footsteps » by Bernard Levin (Sceptre paperback 1987), « Les Alpes de Lumière »(Edisud, Aix en Provence), The food and flavours of Haute Provence,  by Georgeanne (Brennan, Jeffrey Fisher )