Allemagne en Provence

Article updated in June 2024

Discover the village of Allemagne-en-Provence in the Alpes de Haute-Provence.

In the middle of the Verdon region and its wonders, Allemagne-en-Provence is a small village surrounded by hills leading to magnificent plateaux rich in lavender fields.

The château of Allemagne-en-Provence

Allemagne-en-Provence is fortunate enough to have a very fine château, listed as a historic monument. The château, which is in perfect condition, is inhabited all year round and is open to the public. You can discover the traces of the great centuries that have marked the history of this castle.

In the 12th century, a square medieval watchtower was built on the initiative of the powerful de Castellane family. An angular Renaissance-style building was added between 1495 and 1545. The castle, surrounded by a moat and superb tulip-growing gardens, is a marvel to behold.

The chapel and church of Saint-Marc

Perched on the hill of the same name, the Romanesque chapel of Saint-Marc dates back to the 12th century. It features a number of sculpted stones, including a snake biting a fish. A pilgrimage takes place here every year around 25 April. The church of Saint-Marc dates back to the 13th century but has undergone numerous modifications and additions over the course of history. The eastern part is Romanesque, as is the belfry wall above it, but the western part is Gothic.

A charming village

Take a stroll through the narrow streets of the village. You'll discover a superb fountain with an octagonal basin and four sculpted duck cannons dating from 1847. A superb wash-house has been well restored. A pretty bell tower, with a bell dating from 1666, overlooks the town and brings it to life. The oratories of Saint Marc and Saint Eloi are on the outskirts of the village.

Our map of Allemagne en Provence (postcode 04500)

To find your way around Allemagne-en-Provence, you can use our interactive map on this page. We've included the various points of interest in the village as well as our recommendations for accommodation. This will help you locate them before you book your holiday in Allemagne-en-Provence. The locals will also be able to help you if you have any questions.

What to do in Germany in Provence? Hiking, lavender and lakes.

Stroll through the cobbled houses and take a guided tour of the 16th-century château and its magnificent gardens. Don't miss the Maison des Produits du Terroir, where you can sample local delicacies and take them home with you.

As well as visiting the village and its monuments, there are many walks and mountain bike rides around the village, some with exceptional views over the Colostre valley and the lower Verdon valley. The nearby lakes of Esparron and Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon are also ideal for swimming and water sports (canoeing, windsurfing, etc.). Pretty villages like Moustiers-Sainte-Marie are not far away either.

Why the name Allemagne-en-Provence?

Several explanations have emerged over the centuries. According to Abbé Féraud, ‘Allemagne’ comes from the Provençal ‘area magna’ meaning ‘great plain’. Charles Rostaing, for his part, claims that the name comes from a military post established in Roman times by the Alamans, a Germanic tribe. More recently, Jean-Pierre Poly suggests that a loyal follower of Pepin-le-Bref named Arding l'Alaman was appointed lord of the territory covering the present-day commune. In any case, the village is very old, as a place called ‘Allimanicum’ is mentioned in a work dating back to 429! The addition ‘en Provence’ was added in 1953.

So, what are the inhabitants called?

The village's 540 inhabitants are called Allémagniens and Allémagniennes. The village is a very pleasant place to live, and it gains inhabitants year after year.