carte Barcelonnette
Barcelonnette tourist map and places to visit
On this page you'll find a detailed map of Barcelonnette to help you plan your visit. Located at an altitude of 1135 meters in the Ubaye valley, Barcelonnette boasts a rich architectural heritage with its famous Mexican villas. The town has both a southern and mountain character.
Your stay here will allow you to discover the traces of the Barcelonnettes' epic journey to Mexico in the 19th century. This singular history has shaped local architecture, with some 50 buildings erected between 1870 and 1930. Place Manuel is the historic heart of this Southern Alps destination. Find all these places on our Barcelonnette map:
How long does it take to visit Barcelonnette?
A full day is all it takes to discover the essentials of Barcelonnette. Guided tours of the old town center last around 1h30 and provide an insight into the history of this unique city. For an in-depth tour including the Mexican villas and the museum, allow 4 to 5 hours.
The outdoor tour of Barcelonnette's villas ends at the villa-museum La Sapinière. This tour lasts around 1.5 hours and must be booked in advance. If you'd also like to explore the surrounding Ubaye valley, allow 2 to 3 days.
For a longer weekend, you can combine urban heritage with mountain activities. The weather is particularly pleasant from May to September, with sunshine at its peak.
Where can I download a PDF map of Barcelonnette?
You can download the tourist map by clicking on the “Download map” button above our interactive map. This detailed map shows you the city's main monuments and visitor itineraries.
Thanks to our map, discover an urban itinerary that will take you through the district of Mexican villas before taking in the sights. The map also guides you to panoramic viewpoints over the Ubaye capital.
The tourist office also offers free brochures with maps and practical information to help you organize your stay. These documents are available on site or can be downloaded from the destination's official website.
Where is Barcelonnette Tourist Office?
Barcelonnette Tourist Office is ideally located in the town's historic center. This Category I listed structure has also been awarded the Qualité Tourisme label. The exact address is Place Frédéric Mistral in the city center.
The team welcomes you all year round to advise you on your stay in the Ubaye valley. You'll be able to take advantage of a wide range of services and find all the town's tourist and practical documentation. A free wifi access point is also available.
Barcelonnette's tourism advisors will be happy to put their knowledge of the area at your disposal. They can provide you with information on guided tours, activities and events such as the Latin-Mexican festivities in August.
What are the must-see places in Barcelonnette?
Mexican villas
Mexican villas are an outstanding feature of local architecture. These prestigious homes were built between 1880 and 1930 by residents who had made their fortunes in Mexico. Notable examples include Château des Magnans, Villa Morelia, Villa Sapinière and Villa Laugier.
Most of these luxurious residences, inspired by Italian, Tyrolean and Baroque architecture, are listed historic monuments. They are mainly concentrated on the Avenue de la Libération. Only the Villa La Sapinière can be visited, as the others are privately owned.
The historic center
The heart of the historic center is Place Manuel, surrounded by colorful facades. This lively square is dominated by the 15th-century Cardinalis Tower. Named after Jacques-Antoine Manuel, a Restoration deputy, it features a fountain with a bronze medallion.
The pedestrian streets, dotted with stores, invite you to stroll. The warmly-colored historic center bears witness to the past of this Alpine town. The Saint-Pierre-ès-Liens church is also worth a visit for its remarkable architecture.
The Valley Museum
The Musée de la Vallée tells the story of the daring Barcelona emigrants who settled in a Mexican villa. The villa's Doric-columned porch, wood panelling and inlaid parquet floors are all still intact.
The museum tells the story of the Ubaye's inhabitants' migrations, both near and far. It exhibits objects brought back from Mexico and retraces this extraordinary epic that has shaped the valley's identity.
How to get to Barcelonnette
By car
From the south of France, via Aix-en-Provence, take the A51 freeway to Tallard, direction Barcelonnette. From Paris and the north, via Lyon, Grenoble, Gap and the Ubaye Valley. The town is about 3 hours from Aix-en-Provence and Marseille.
From Nice, take the RD 202 towards Grenoble, via Digne-les-Bains then Seyne. From Lyon or Grenoble, take the RD 75 over the Col de Lus-la-Croix-Haute then towards Gap.
By public transport
Lignes Express Régionales coaches serve Barcelonnette with route 68 from Marseille and route 535 from Gap. The bus from Marseille-Saint-Charles to Place Aimé Gassier takes 4h30 and departs 5 times a week.
During the ski season, the Navettes Blanches ZOU! Neige white shuttles run from Marseille-Provence airport and Aix TGV station. By train, Paris gare d'Austerlitz - Gap by night train takes 10 hours, then connection by bus.
What are the best hotels in Barcelonnette?
For your accommodation in Barcelonnette, there are a number of quality establishments in or near the city center. The hotels Villa Lorenzo Chambres & Restaurant Barcelonnette Hotel, Hotel Spa Azteca Barcelonnette and La Grande Eperviere are particularly popular with families. L'Hotel de la Placette Barcelonnette and Le Grand Hotel receive excellent reviews for the view from their rooms. These Quality Tourism-labeled establishments offer modern comfort with spacious rooms, and are ideal bases for exploring this unique alpine destination with Mexican influences.
Read also to prepare your stay in Barcelonnette:
NEIGHBOURING TOWNS AND VILLAGES
Saint-Pons (2km), Faucon (3km) and Jausiers (8km).