Sisteron Attractions
Sisteron lies on the Route Napoléon and to the north of the Montagne de la Lure; it is not far from the confluence of the Buëch with the Durance.
It is believed that the caves in the vicinity were lived in from very early times, but there is no actual proof of this. Augustus subdued the tribes of the Avantici and Vocones which were settled here and built Segustero at an important narrow point of the Durance on the Roman Via Domitia. In the fifth century Sisteron became the seat of the Bishop and remained so until the French Revolution. In the ninth and 10th centuries the Saracens held the town; in 1348 half the population died of the plague. About the middle of the 14th century a beginning was made with the defense works, most of which can still be seen today. In 1481 Sisteron fell to the Kingdom of France, but the Wars of Religion caused great devastation. On his journey from Elba to Paris Napoleon passed through the Defile of Sisteron without much difficulty. In August 1944 the town and citadel were bombed by U.S. planes (over 300 casualties) in order to drive out the German troops.
It is believed that the caves in the vicinity were lived in from very early times, but there is no actual proof of this. Augustus subdued the tribes of the Avantici and Vocones which were settled here and built Segustero at an important narrow point of the Durance on the Roman Via Domitia. In the fifth century Sisteron became the seat of the Bishop and remained so until the French Revolution. In the ninth and 10th centuries the Saracens held the town; in 1348 half the population died of the plague. About the middle of the 14th century a beginning was made with the defense works, most of which can still be seen today. In 1481 Sisteron fell to the Kingdom of France, but the Wars of Religion caused great devastation. On his journey from Elba to Paris Napoleon passed through the Defile of Sisteron without much difficulty. In August 1944 the town and citadel were bombed by U.S. planes (over 300 casualties) in order to drive out the German troops.
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Sisteron Citadel
The 12th C Citadel stands high above Sisteron, and offers fine views to the mountains from the upper turrets.
Townscape
Situated high above the place where the Durance breaks through its mountain ridge the Citadel of Sisteron crowns an unusually impressive landscape. In summer a little tourist railroad (starting-point at the Place de la République) runs up to the citadel.
Notre-Dame-des-Pommiers
In the center of Sisteron Lower Town stands the former Cathedral of Notre-Dame-des-Pommiers which was built between 1160 and 1220. Like many churches in this area of the Alps it reveals the influence of Lombardy. Of special interest are the figural decoration on the entrance, the capitals of the half-pillars in the nave and the two Baroque altars.
Nuits de la Citadel
Sisteron hosts a number of evening performances between late July and early August in the 13th C cloister of St Dominique. The festival includes classical concerts, theatrical productions and a variety of dance performances.
Old Town
In the Old Town of Sisteron are a number of fine 16th and 17th century houses; a walk through the picturesque streets, which in places lead beneath flying buttresses, is marked by arrows.
Town Walls
To the south of Notre-Dame-des- Pommiers in the Allée de Verdun can be seen three well-preserved towers of semicircular plan which were once part of the town walls of Sisteron.
