This historic southern French town has centuries-old streets and stone buildings in its center. Home to Fragonard perfumery, it's a key location in France's fragrance industry.
Manosque is the largest town in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, with 22,000 residents. Walk through its 14th-century stone gates to discover twice-weekly markets selling fresh goat cheese and local honey. Visit the L'Occitane cosmetics factory, climb to Mont d'Or for valley views, or take a short drive to purple lavender fields in summer.
The Medieval Gates of Manosque
Two stone gates guard the pear-shaped old town of Manosque. At the southern entrance, the Porte de la Saunerie (built 1382) collected taxes from salt merchants. The northern Porte du Soubeyran (13th century) includes an 18th-century clock tower and an iron bell tower from 1830.
Markets and Local Products
Every Wednesday and Saturday from 7:30 AM to 12:30 PM, local vendors fill several town squares. In Place du Terreau, farmers sell seasonal produce like Cavaillon melons and Provence apricots. Walk through Place Marcel Pagnol, Place St Sauveur, and Place de l'HĂ´tel de Ville to find stalls selling regional wines, olive oils pressed in nearby mills, and dried lavender bunches.
L'Occitane Factory Experience
Take a free one-hour guided tour of the L'Occitane factory, open daily from April to October. Watch how workers transform local lavender and immortelle flowers into natural cosmetics. The tour includes a stop at the testing area where you can try various skincare products.
Mont d'Or Views
A pine-lined path leads from the town center to Mont d'Or's summit, taking about 30 minutes to walk. From the top, look across the Durance Valley to spot the Valensole plateau and Luberon mountains. Information panels at the summit explain how a 12th-century castle once stood here.
Religious Architecture
Inside Église Saint-Sauveur (12th century), you'll find a mix of rounded Romanesque arches and pointed Gothic windows. Notre-Dame de Romigier church (13th century) contains an 11th-century black Virgin statue and a 5th-century stone sarcophagus. Both churches retain their medieval stone walls with carved column capitals.
Jean Giono's Manosque
French author Jean Giono wrote extensively about Manosque and Provence. Visit his birthplace at 14 Rue Grande, explore his manuscripts at Centre Jean Giono in the 18th-century HĂ´tel Raffin, or see his preserved study at Le ParaĂŻs villa on Mont d'Or's slopes.
Getting Around
The A51 highway connects Manosque to Marseille and its airport (1 hour drive south). Regular trains run from Manosque-Gréoux-les-Bains station to Marseille and nearby towns. While the old town takes 20 minutes to cross on foot, a car helps you explore surrounding villages and lavender fields.
