Barcelonnette

Discover Barcelonnette, the most Mexican of Alpine towns

Barcelonnette is located in the heart of the Ubaye valley, in the north of the département, a stone's throw from the border with the Hautes Alpes and Italy.

Barcelonnette is a small mountain town with two faces.

- in summer, it's surrounded by orchards and green meadows, offering a thousand walks and a host of activities.

- in winter, it's transformed into a winter sports super-resort with 3 downhill ski resorts: Pra-Loup, Sauze Super-Sauze and Sainte Anne. Two cross-country ski centers: Larche and Saint Paul.

A city of character, between history and the gentle way of life

Barcelonnette will seduce you with its lively old town center: lively pedestrian streets, local stores, colorful markets and beautiful terraces. Place Manuel, the vibrant heart of the town, is surrounded by cafés and restaurants where you'll want to linger. In summer, the town radiates festivities and Provencal flavors; in winter, it becomes the gateway to the valley's renowned ski resorts.

The Barcelonnettes' incredible Mexican adventure

It's impossible to visit Barcelonnette without looking up at the Mexican villas on Avenue de la Libération, veritable palaces with tree-lined parks. Built between 1880 and 1930 by local residents who left to make their fortune in Mexico, they bear witness to a unique history: the epic of the “Barcelonnettes” in the land of sombreros. For their owners, these opulent residences were a show of social success, and most of them are inspired by Italian, Baroque and Tyrolean styles.

Among them, the Villa Sapinière is open to the public: it houses the Musée de la Vallée, where you can discover archaeological collections, fine arts, stories of emigration and local traditions. On the first floor, the Maison du Parc national du Mercantour welcomes you to find out all about nature, hiking and guided activities.

The Day of the Dead at All Saints' Day

Due to its historical ties with Mexico, Barcelonnette celebrates the Day of the Dead every year at the end of October for three days. The town is decked out in the colors of Mexico with parades, mariachis, face painting workshops, and shows. This year, it will take place from October 30 to November 1.

Our photos

To immerse yourself in Barcelonnette's unique atmosphere, take a look at our slideshow at the bottom of this page: colorful Mexican villas in the Alpine sunshine, majestic peaks in the Mercantour Park, Ubaye torrents and scenes of Latino-Mexican festival life. Each image, captured by the Provence Web teams, reveals the exceptional character of this charming town in the Alpes de Haute Provence.