Barcelonnette
Between Gap and Italy on the D900.
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.
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.
What to see
Place Manuel. Avenue de La Libération. Mexican villas.
"Musée de la Vallée de l'Ubaye" (archeological collections, Beaux-Arts, history of the emigration, the travels of Emile Chabrand).
"Maison du Parc national du Mercantour".
"Maison des produits de pays" : arts and crafts and local souvenirs.
Leisure activities
Hiking. Professional guides of the Mercantour.
Mountain biking. Horse-riding. Ice-skating.
Tennis. Bowling. Gymnasium.
Flying sports: parapente, hang-gliding, gliding, microlights.
Winter sports: alpine ski-ing, cross-country ski-ing, trekking.
Ice-climbing, "Ruisseling", snow scooters.
Dog sledding, four-wheeled motorbikes, snow rafting...
Arts and crafts courses (earthenware, pottery, enamel, sculpture...)
Cinema. Cultural events.
Holiday rentals
Located in the heart of Barcelonnette and near ski resorts
Spacious apartment 2-4 pers renovated in a contemporary style
Restaurant, Bar - Free Wifi - Free Parking
Accomodations
Hotels.
B&Bs.
Holiday rentals.
Practical info :
Access : Barcelonnette is 2 hours from Gap, 1h30 from Digne and 2h45 from Nice. Reach the town via the D900.
Parking: easy parking in the city center or nearby (free and paid zones). Follow the signs as soon as you arrive.
Your questions about Barcelonnette
You've sent us a number of questions about Barcelonnette, particularly its Mexican origins. Here are our answers to your most frequently asked questions.
The history of Barcelonnette
Raimond Bérenger V founded Barcelonnette in 1231 to control the Ubaye valley. The town's geometric layout, protected by 22 towers, dates from this period and has remained intact ever since. 18th-century architecture transformed the town after it became part of France in 1713. The 19th century brought the Mexican epic: some 3,000 inhabitants left to make their fortune in Mexico and returned to build spectacular villas. Jean de Matha, born in Faucon in 1160, founded the Trinitarian order. The church of Saint-Étienne preserves this medieval religious heritage.
Why do people say Barcelonnette is “Mexican”?
It's the only French town where so many inhabitants emigrated to Mexico, then built superb villas here on their return: a unique history and architecture!
Where to ski in Barcelonnette?
Pra-Loup, Le Sauze - Super-Sauze and Sainte-Anne are all less than 15 minutes from the center of Barcelonnette, renowned for the quality of their snow and their panoramic views.
What are the village's major events?
Latino-Mexican celebrations (summer), music festivals, sports events, night markets and winter sports competitions are all part of the year.
Where can I rent a bike or skis?
Numerous rental companies and specialist stores await you in town for bikes, skis, snowshoes, mountain bikes and mountain equipment.
NEIGHBOURING TOWNS AND VILLAGES
Saint-Pons (2km), Faucon (3km) and Jausiers (8km).