Travel Guide Barcelonnette

Located along the Grandes Alpes road, Barcelonnette, nestled at the foot of Ubaye resorts such as Sauze, Super-Sauze and Pra-Loup, offers a mountain character through its narrow streets and snowfall warnings. Despite its mountainous setting, the town stands out for its openness to the world, notably with its Mexican episode, making it exceptional to discover in winter and summer during colorful festivities. Founded in 1231 by Raymond Bérenger IV of Barcelona, Barcelonnette's history has been intertwined with that of the Barcelonnettes for two centuries. In 1812, local residents decided to set out to conquer new territories, choosing Mexico to showcase their expertise in the wool and silk trades. Despite difficult beginnings, the Barcelonnettes established a powerful network across the country by the Second Empire. Under the presidency of Porfirio Diaz between 1876 and 1911, French emigrants enjoyed a golden age in Mexico, setting up huge factories and playing an active role in the management of major banks. The Mexican Revolution marked the industrial decline, but immigrants continued to pour in. Today, some 60,000 descendants of Barcelonnettes live in Mexico. The historic center is packed with magnificent homes, including the villas of the Mexicans, built between 1880 and 1930, inspiring a new urbanism. Wealthy Barcelonnettes built imposing villas that are a must-see for architecture enthusiasts.