Manosque and its surroundings

The most populated town of haute-provence is neither prefecture, nor sub-prefecture. this fact is due primarily to the small size of the town until a rather recent past (19th century). in spite of that, manosque is a very old city.

The old town  The town built between 5 planted hills of olive-trees is collected on a round form along old and successive ramparts. The center kept its medieval charm made of lanes and placettes where fountains wisely murmur.  To see: The Saunerie door of 1382. it should be brought closer "salt maker": who made trade of salt. Note that the crenels which surround it were the proof that the town was free since it could be defended.

Saint-sauveur church  The large street (pedestrian area well developmed), where, at the 23rd, the hotel of Gassaud is located which accomodated in spite of him Mirabeau (officially for debts)and where born Jean Giono (famous scriber)  Visit Saint-Sauveur church destryed like the others from the years 900 to 1000, and rebuilt during the 12th century. This church contains organ functioning since 1625. The bell-tower of this church was built in 1725 by Guillaume Bouard de Rians.

The church notre-dame-de-romigier  The church Notre-Dame-de-Romigier (street Voland) rebuilt during the 10th century contains a beautiful black virgin in wood some and a sarcophagus of the 5th century.  The town hall of Renaissance style includes a patio inside and a staircase in gypsery. On the 1st floor, There is the silver bust (allotted to Pierre Puget) of Gerard Tenque (founder of the order of Hospital) as well as a painting of Denis Valvenare that recalls the history of Manosque.

A rich heritage  What to see :  The old vault of Observantins (street des Ecoles).  The porch of the first hospital of the town (1487), street of the Good-Rest.  The door basic Soubeyran of the 14th century surmounted by a bell-tower of 1830.  The many private mansions that are everywhere in the town.

Fête médiévale  It should be noted that every two years is held in Manosque a medieval festival where the inhabitants and the sellers are invited to make relive the glorious time which saw the independence of the town.  Everywhere, you will cross noble peasants and gueux, you will eat in taverns installed in the streets in wood bowls and you will attend the reconstitution of the events between Forcalquier and Manosque.  You will also be able if you are impassioned of art or literature to visit the Carzou foundation (sculpture) and the house museum of Jean Giono, novelist and scenario writer (1895/1970), perfect autodidact wire of the Italian immigrant poor which became all the same member of the Goncourt academy in 1954, made known yourselves by its novels "Hills", "One of Baumugnes" (whose Marcel Pagnol will make Angèle with Fernandel), "Renewal"...

Not to be missed  There is also in Manosque two places not to forget to have an overall picture on the town and the valley.  These places are the Mont-d'or surrounded by olive-trees and ruins of the old keep are enlightened the night, as well as the vault of "All-Aures" which faces the "Mont-d'or".

Leisure activities  In Manosque, There are all kind of leisures : swimming pool, excursions, water level for the bathe and water sport. Moreover, the commercial equipment is quite present since it counts less than 5 great surfaces and a great number of average surfaces for the greatest misfortune of the small shopkeepers.  Near Manosque, are the communes of Pierrevert and Montfuron.  Located at a few minutes from Manosque, the town of Pierrevert gave its name to the wine which is produced in all the soil manosquin.  MONTFURON charming small village of 156 inhabitants will propose his entirely restored windmill to you which really functions, its Saint-Elzéar vault of 14th century (also restored) and its table of the winds which will enable you from the ruins of the castle to name the celestial breaths while contemplating 7 departments.