Barcelonnette Attractions
Barcelonnette, the headquarters of the Sous-Prefecture des Départements Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, is situated some 70km/44mi east of Gap in the Ubaye valley. This little town, reminiscent of many in the southern hemisphere, lies in magnificent mountain country, surrounded by fruit fields and meadows. The roads to the south lead over the well-known passes of Col d'Allos, Col de la Cayolle and Col de la Bonnete; the latter, 2,802m/9,196ft above sea-level, is the highest pass anywhere in the Alps.
Raimond Bérenger, Count of Barcelona and Provence, built a fortress here in 1231; it was named Barcelone, from which developed the present name of Barcelonette. From 1388 Barcelonette, together with the whole of the Ubaye region, belonged to the House of Savoy until it was ceded to France under the Treaty of Utrecht in 1731.
Barcelonette was the birthplace of the politician Paul Reynaud (1878- 1966), a staunch opponent of European unity after World War II. In 1940 he was made President of the Council, resigned and was replaced by Marshal Pétain. He was interned by the Vichy government and deported to Germany between 1942 and 1945. After the liberation he was elected to and made president of the European Economic Commission.
The Avenue de la Libération is lined with fine parks containing the villas built by the "Mexicans". One of the most lavish, known as "La Sapinière", houses a museum and also the offices of the Mercantour National Park (Maison du Parc National du Mercantour); another villa is now a hotel.
The Place Manuel lies outside the chessboard pattern of the old bastion. This broad square, with its colorful house fronts and cafes, is now a favorite meeting place for tourists. The Tour Cardinalis, the old bell-tower of the Dominican priory, dates from the 15th C.
Raimond Bérenger, Count of Barcelona and Provence, built a fortress here in 1231; it was named Barcelone, from which developed the present name of Barcelonette. From 1388 Barcelonette, together with the whole of the Ubaye region, belonged to the House of Savoy until it was ceded to France under the Treaty of Utrecht in 1731.
Barcelonette was the birthplace of the politician Paul Reynaud (1878- 1966), a staunch opponent of European unity after World War II. In 1940 he was made President of the Council, resigned and was replaced by Marshal Pétain. He was interned by the Vichy government and deported to Germany between 1942 and 1945. After the liberation he was elected to and made president of the European Economic Commission.
The Avenue de la Libération is lined with fine parks containing the villas built by the "Mexicans". One of the most lavish, known as "La Sapinière", houses a museum and also the offices of the Mercantour National Park (Maison du Parc National du Mercantour); another villa is now a hotel.
The Place Manuel lies outside the chessboard pattern of the old bastion. This broad square, with its colorful house fronts and cafes, is now a favorite meeting place for tourists. The Tour Cardinalis, the old bell-tower of the Dominican priory, dates from the 15th C.
Col d'Allos
The road over the Col d'Allos (2,240m/7,350ft) together with the Col de la Cayolle (2,327m/7,637ft) provides the link with the valley of the Upper Var. While a wide road leads to the Pra-Loup winter sports region, the road through the pass - closed in winter - is in dreadful condition and requires strong nerves to negotiate it. Any barriers along the edge afford little more than token protection; large stretches should be taken at a snail's pace and a lookout kept for vehicles coming from the opposite direction!
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Foux d'Allos
The Alpine view around the popular winter sports resort of Foux d'Allos (1,425m/4,677ft) is extremely impressive, but tends to be spoilt in summer when skiing is over. Large areas of the grass turf on the gently rounded slopes have been badly damaged.
Le Sauze
The well-known winter sports resort of Le Sauze, 4km/2.5mi southeast of Barcelonnette at a height of 1,380m/4,530ft, is one of the oldest anywhere in the Alps. Its sister resort of Super-sauze lies at 1,700m/5,580ft.
St Pons
This little village of St-Pons some 3km/2mi to the northwest of Barcelonnette, has an interesting church, a relic of a Benedictine priory. The Romanesque parts - the west door and the choir and section immediately adjoining - date from the 12th C. The 15th C. south door has rich figure decoration, the theme of the simple scenes being that of Death.
