Mane

Discover the village of Mane in the Alpes de Haute Provence

Mane is a beautiful village located in the heart of the Forcalquier region, surrounded by magnificent landscapes that change color with the seasons. Vast cultivated fields, plateaus, and rolling hills frame the village under one of the clearest skies in Provence.

Visit the village

Even before you arrive, you will see the village of Mane from afar, winding its way up the hill in an original way, crowned by a double rampart. As you visit the village, you will discover the Baroque façade of the Church of Saint André (15th and 17th centuries) framed by two monumental doors. You cannot miss the bell tower and its 31-meter-high stone tower. In the Rue Haute, you can admire the Miravail mansion, dating from the 16th and 18th centuries. Ramparts, monuments, mansions, and old houses were built mainly with “Mane stone” from nearby quarries, giving the village a perfect sense of unity.

The castle of Mane and its citadel

Mane is fortunate to have the only (complete) fortification in Haute Provence dating from before the 17th century. You can discover it by climbing to the top of the village via the cobbled streets, walking around the citadel walls, and seeing the machicolated gate and corner watchtowers.

From the citadel, you will have a breathtaking view of the Mane plain, the domes of Saint Michel l'Observatoire and the Luberon, and in the foreground, the pretty mosaic of the village roofs.

Other iconic places to see

• The Château de SauvanTwo kilometers from Mane, you can discover the Château de Sauvan (also known as the “little Provençal Trianon”), built in 1720 and beautifully restored in the pure French classical style of its origins.

• The Priory of SalagonThe Conservatory of Ethnological Heritage of Haute Provence is housed in the superb Priory of Notre Dame de Salagon (dating from the 12th century) and presents an exhibition of its research, its aromatic herb garden, and its medieval garden.

• The Roman bridgeBuilt over the Laye River, it bears witness to the passage of an ancient road connecting the Durance Valley to the Forcalquier plateau.

• The rampartsStill visible in places, they encircle the heart of the village.

• The cabanons of ManeThe pointed cabanons of Mane, small masterpieces of rural dry stone architecture, bear witness to the remarkable skill of the builders who assembled the stones without mortar or binding material using the corbelled vault technique.

Local life & events

The Provençal market is held every Sunday morning in the central square. Here you can find lavender honey, goat's cheese from the Forcalquier region, olive oil, and organic vegetables. Every summer, the Salagon chamber music festival attracts international artists. In July, Mane also comes alive with its votive festivals, featuring dances, entertainment, and fireworks. The local cuisine highlights seasonal products: Sisteron lamb, aromatic herbs, herbal teas made from local plants, and of course wine from the neighboring hillsides of Pierrevert.