Barcelonnette
Welcome to Barcelonnette, capital of the Ubaye Valley, founded in 1231 by Hubert Béranger V, Comte de Provence, who named the town after his birthplace.
Barcelonnette : Legendary capital of the Ubaye Valley
Welcome to Barcelonnette, capital of the Ubaye Valley, founded in 1231 by Hubert Béranger V, Comte de Provence, who named the town after his birthplace. A short distance from the Hautes-Alpes region and Italy, its border situation has made tiny Barcelonnette the object of numerous conflicts, a fact which explains in part the superb fortifications along the Ubaye Valley. The town developed in a rather unusual way : it has a remarkable gridiron layout inherited from the Middle Ages. It is a showcase for quality town planning, attractive buildings, wonderfully straight streets and Mexican-style villas in vast grounds which were built between 1880 and 1930 by natives of Barcelonnette returning home after making their fortune in Mexico. In fact, Barcelonnette is the French capital of Mexico ! Around 7,000 people from the Ubaye Valley emigrated there between 1850 and 1950. Only four or five hundred families came back to France and the wealthiest among them built superb, charming villas, which you would not expect to find in the Alpine countryside. A museum has been opened in the elegant Villa La Sapinière, built between 1878 and 1883 by Alexandre Reynaud a former merchant in Mexico, which also houses the Maison du Parc National du Mercantour of Alpes de Haute-Provence.
When visiting the town, visit the 42m high Tour Cardinalis, all that remains of the Dominican Convent of 1316.
Our selection of accommodations
Lodging
Le Casteou
in BARCELONNETTE - Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
Lodging
Le Cabaret
in THUILES (LES) - Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
Our new accommodations
Lodging
Valpina
in SAINT PAUL SUR UBAYE - Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
Lodging
Chalet la Gravette
in JAUSIERS - Alpes-de-Haute-Provence