At the crossroads of the Méouge gorges and the Durance valley, on the border between Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Hautes-Alpes, between medieval citadel and Napoleon road, Sisteron is a privileged place of tourism which offers a thousand activities. Visiting the citadel of Sisteron allows you to cross both centuries and landscapes, in a unique association between natural places and cultural visits.
CULTURE
Visit the Citadel of Sisteron
ALPES DE HAUTE PROVENCEVisitor circuits in the heart of the village
The heart of the city of Sisteron lends itself readily to a quiet visit at random of the footsteps and the alleys. Fountains, vaulted passages (the famous andrônes), stairs and old houses punctuate the walk in this village of Provence. However, a few places are unmissable when visiting the citadel, starting with the Notre-Dame-des-Pommiers cathedral. Built in the XNUMXth century before being enlarged several times, it is one of the jewels of Sisteron, with its XNUMXth century altarpiece by Lalozière or its paintings by Nicolas Mignard, commissioned by the King of France Louis XIV to decorate the Tuileries.
Don't miss the Clock Tower, a tall square building with a magnificent sculpted dial whose history dates back to the 4th century. Extend your visit by taking a tour of the walkway to admire this citadel which, in the opinion of Henri IV, was the most powerful in France… Sisteron has indeed been a strategic place for centuries and has been occupied since Roman times. The staircase that connects the citadel to the city offers an atypical path in the rock. For a thematic visit, go to the tourist office, which offers to discover the old town through XNUMX circuits.
If you like old stones and villages as old as they are authentic, then take the road to Ribiers, Authon or Entrepierres: these small villages are part of a natural setting that breathes Provence and are all the interest of a trip. off the beaten track on the borders of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department.
Visit the museums of Sisteron
The Earth and Time Museum
This museum takes place in the old chapel of the Visitandines of the city, next to the cathedral. Its interest lies in the many objects that have allowed Man to measure the passage of time for centuries, from the best known such as the hourglass or the watch to the most atypical such as the clepsydra or Foucault's pendulum. Guided tours provide a better understanding of their operation and the history of their design.
The south terrace of the citadel
Sisteron is located on the Napoleon road. In 1815, the former Emperor of France indeed escaped from the island of Elba and sought to reach Paris as directly as possible to regain power, which involved passing through the Alps and Sisteron, a city which however, is not favorable to him. In the citadel, a space is dedicated to the passage of Napoleon in the region.
The Gallo-Roman Museum
The permanent exhibition of this museum located in the heart of the old center of the village presents the archaeological discoveries made in Sisteron as well as in the neighboring village of Bevons and focuses on funeral rites. Strategically located between the Alps and Provence, the city of Sisteron has indeed been a busy place for a long time. The museum benefits from the Quality Tourism label. The visits are guided or free.
Hikes to visit the surroundings of Sisteron
If the city of Sisteron and its museums already fill your schedule, you can extend the visit by going to admire the citadel from the nearby heights. The rock of La Baume, recognizable among a thousand by its vertical strata, offers a magnificent panorama easily accessible both over the village and the Durance valley.
After the museums, the walks are also an opportunity to discover a landscape characteristic of Provence, a stone's throw from the Alps. With its limestone peaks, its sparse vegetation where thyme, chervil, lavender and alpine species mingle, but also its mild climate, the region lends itself to walking and tourism all year round. If hiking leaves you unmoved, mountain biking, climbing or paragliding are key activities in Sisteron. The Rocher de la Baume is a high place for climbing in the region, which has many natural places to visit during your holidays: the Trou d'Argent cave, the Charenches gorges or the Jabron valley are all natural pearls easily accessible from Sisteron, to discover during hikes but not only! The most curious (and less prone to vertigo!) will push on to the Saint-Pons chapel, towards the village of Valbelle. Sisteron also opens the doors to the Baronnies natural park, a land for walking and mountain biking with endless possibilities.
After your hike, a stopover is a must at the Marres lake to refresh yourself, or relax after a visit to the museum. The body of water is indeed located near the Durance, a stone's throw from the center of Sisteron.
To make the most of all the sporting and cultural activities offered by Sisteron and its region, opt for a holiday at Camping du Lac, on the banks of the Durance! The citadel is just 30 minutes away by car and we will gladly give you all our advice for discovering the region.
