VISIT TO THE OLD TOWN
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Visit of the city of Manosque with a discovery of one of the most beautiful private mansions, dating from the Provencal Renaissance
Embark on a complete tour of the town, from gate to gate. Indeed, Manosque, a thousand-year-old city, was surrounded by a rampart with four huge gates. In the past, people used to pay a tax to pass through the Saunerie gate, built in 1382 and a symbol of the town's administrative and judicial freedoms. Saunerie comes from the Provençal word "sau" which means salt. At n°14 of the rue Grande, you will see the house where Jean Giono was born in 1895. Still on Rue Grande, you will discover one of the most beautiful private mansions, the Hôtel de Gassaud, dating from the end of the Provencal Renaissance.
A little further on, Notre-Dame-de-Romiger awaits you, as does the Saint-Sauveur church, razed to the ground around the year 900 to be rebuilt between the 12th and 14th centuries. The town hall is worth a visit, a superb Renaissance-style mansion that became the town hall in 1772. Going up the rue du Mont d'Or opposite it, you will find the Hôtel d'Herbès which houses the media library. In the rue des Écoles, admire the Conservatoire, a former Observantins convent. On Rue du Bon-Repos, pass under the porch of the first hospital in Manosque. You can leave the old town by the majestic Soubeyran gate, the highest in the town with its bell tower dating from 1830. On your way back, admire the rue des Martels, which was the rampart path of the ramparts. Courage, you approach the Place du Terreau, once the site of the palace of the Counts of Forcalquier (Guilhem IV was the last).
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Members' reviews on VISIT TO THE OLD TOWN
Je déconseille vivement Manosque le dimanche car c’est mort. Les rues sont pratiquement désertes et à part quelques touristes, on n’y voit pas grand monde. Il est préférable de visiter le centre historique le samedi matin car il y a le marché où l’on peut acheter de nombreux produits régionaux, en particulier de la verveine au prix de 2,00 € la botte. Pour le reste, c’est une ville relativement chère.
Belle boutique de santons et autres souvenirs sur la place de l'église.
Un conseil, évitez d'y aller le dimanche car il n'y a pas un chat!