Barcelonnette, Alpine commune in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France
Barcelonnette is a commune in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department that sits at 1135 meters elevation in the Southern Alps. The town forms a small basin where several valleys meet and is framed by summits that rise above 3000 meters.
Count Ramon Berenguer IV of Provence founded the settlement in 1231 as a market town and granted it self-governing rights. The place took its name from Barcelona, the count's homeland, and grew into an important trading post in the mountains.
Locals call themselves Barcelonnettes, a name that echoes the town's Catalan foundation by Provençal counts. Many of the grand villas were built by merchants who emigrated to Mexico and later returned with their fortunes to beautify their homeland.
The town can be reached via the A51 highway, which offers connections to larger cities, with Marseille Provence Airport about 145 kilometers away. Gap train station is roughly an hour's drive and provides further connections.
The Cardinalis Tower from the 14th century rises 40 meters high and stands in the center of Place Manuel as the town's main landmark. Its medieval construction elements reflect the former importance of the place as a fortified market settlement.
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