Barcelonnette, Alpine commune in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France
Description
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.
History
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.
Culture
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.
Practical
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.
Did you know?
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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Blue Villa
348 m
Tour Cardinalis
201 m
Tour de l'Horloge
2.2 km
Église Saint-Pons à Saint-Pons
2.1 km
Villa Costebelle
404 mMonument aux morts de la Vallée
482 m
Golf du Bois Chenu
2.1 kmDrinking fountain, water well
300 m
Église Saint-Pierre-ès-liens de Barcelonette
236 mThe Dancer
264 m
Église Saint-Étienne de Faucon-de-Barcelonnette
2.2 kmMusée de la Vallée
298 m
Villa du Parc du Mercantour
282 m
Église Saint-Dominique de Barcelonnette
189 m
Église Saint-André d'Uvernet
3.6 kmMonument to Jacques-Antoine Manuel
244 m
Chapelle Saint-Barthélemy d'Uvernet-Fours
2.8 kmMonument to the Duke of Berwick
480 mSalle du marché couvert de Barcelonnette
65 m
Monument featuring aircraft, aircraft model
3.3 kmWork of art, sculpture
236 mCatholic church building, wayside cross
2 kmMemorial, war memorial
2.2 kmWayside cross
347 mWar memorial, memorial
187 mCascade de Badieux
4.3 kmCascade des Pinasses
4.5 kmCascade des Andrieux
5.4 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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