Provence
with a difference...
The historic cathedral town of Forcalquier
is located at the heart of the Alpes
de Haute Provence, east of Avignon and
north of Aix-en-Provence. First settled
by the Romans, Forcalquier enjoyed its
greatest glory in the Middle Ages, under
the Dukes of Provence. Though it later
suffered the ravages of plagues, sieges,
religious wars and the fashions of “modernization,”
the city still maintains much of its
historic substance. Its architectural
trademarks include the handsome cathedral
Notre Dame du Bourguet, which dates
to the 12th century, and the remains
of a citadel high above the town.
With
fewer than 5,000 inhabitants, Forcalquier
is an administrative and banking center
for the region, and its Monday market
is one of the oldest and most colorful
in Provence. The town can therefore offer
amenities which at first seem surprising
for a community of this size, including
15 restaurants, four supermarkets, a cinema,
a municipal swimming pool and tennis courts,
as well as a great diversity of boutiques
and antique shops.
The natural attractions of the region
range from the ochre canyons of Roussillon
to nearby lavender plateaus and the spectacular
Gorges du Verdon. The landscape is dotted
with picturesque villages perchés,
including Lurs, Simiane-la-Rotonde, Reillanne
and Vachère. Among numerous gastronomic
specialities, the “Pays de Forcalquier”
boasts lavender honey, the goat-cheeses
of Banon, lamb from Sisteron and the olive
oil of Lurs.
