OLD TOWN AND CITADEL
A pleasant walk in the city of Forcalquier, with streets, squares and renovated houses, with remains of fortifications.
A pleasant walk that begins in the lower part of the old town of Forcalquier whose streets, squares and houses have been pleasantly renovated. Also, many shops and cafés-restaurants have been set up there, including an artisanal ice-cream parlour, as well as an old oil mill which can be visited free of charge. It is best to get there by the rue Mercière... The place is always lively, especially in summer. The squares Saint-Michel and Place de l'Œuf have recently been redeveloped with a beautiful gothic fountain in the center of the former. Some of the houses date back to the 13th century and the streets have a rich architectural heritage. It was around this century that the town had its largest population, with around 10,000 inhabitants (which is hard to imagine nowadays).
If you wish to climb to the top of the hill where some remains of the fortification of the so-called citadel remain and where the castle of the Counts of Forcalquier once stood, there are two solutions: the most direct one is by means of rather strenuous stairs, starting from the Place Saint-Michel. Or you may prefer to climb more gradually, following various alleys. In any case, the effort is worth it because from the top, the panorama is grandiose and 360°. You will also find a small hexagonal chapel of neo-Byzantine style, Notre-Dame de Provence, with a carillon counting 18 bells, which you can walk around to admire the views.
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