Luberon à la une
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A stroll to the fort of Buoux
Bonnieux
A stroll through Bonnieux
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Your holidays in Provence Luberon
Tuesday 16 March 2010
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Provence > Villages of Provence
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Saint Michel l'Observatoire
Department of Alpes de Haute Provence
Population: 904 inhabitants ( 1999 )
Small sunny village, coiled between the mountain of Lure and the Luberon, Saint Michel l'Observatoire protected itself behind its medieval ramparts during centuries. The village offers today to the guests its authenticity and the purity of its sky.
Village of Lincel
Not far from there is the perched village of Lincel, its castle and its luxurious forest of cedars. This village is connected with the municipality of Saint Michel l' Observatoire, it is crossed below by the classic Roman way : via dominitia.
Saint Michel l’Observatoire and history
Around the old village, you will discover the vestiges of the ramparts which measured 1,2 kilometres length in medieval time. In safety behind these walls, the inhabitants of this small village of Provence were protected from several epidemics of black plague which ravaged the region. These ramparts were destroyed in the XIX-th century to welcome new inhabitants, while Saint Michel l' Observatoire knew his demographic highlight.
Amazing landscapes, pure sky and stars …
By walking you in the lanes of the village, take time to admire houses dating the prosperous time of Saint Michel l' Observatoire and do not miss castle of Agoult which is on the place of the Fountain. The characteristic of this small village : there is two church : the church Saint Pierre which is the most recent is called " low church ", whereas Saint Michel the most ancient is called by part its situation " high church ". Saint Michel and the terrace will reveal you a spectacular sight on landscapes surroundings: fields of lavenders, olive trees, gardens in restanques (terrace).
Situated in the Regional Natural reserve of Luberon, Saint Michel de l'Observatoire will offer you landscapes, sun and pure sky of Provence. The astronomers did not make a mistake there because in 1937 they implant there the observatory of Haute Provence. Since then you will cross in the village these lovers of the stars who raise the head towards heavens and you will know while in this village of Provence you are close by stars.
Monuments
- The Chapel Saint Jean de FuzilsThis chapel dated XI-th century was restored by the association of Friends of Saint Jean. Animations are organized there by the association. This church is a listed building.
According to the specialists, this chapel situated among Saint Michel l' Observatoire and Lincel, would have been built on the ruins of a gréco-Roman temple. It dates XII-th century and this chapel is a listed building.
The church was built in the XII-th century. The altar, the font, the frescoes are of Romanic style and date time of the construction. This church is a listed building.
It is the parochial church of the village, it's more recent than the church St Michel, it was built among the XIV-th and XV-th century at the request of the Counts of Anjou.
- Tower of PorchèresIt is a beautiful military tower, strikingly preserved. It dates XII-th century and it is classified a listed building.
A voir
- Observatoire CNRS de Haute-ProvenceVisit Wednesday afternoons, visit hours on inquiry.
Tél. : 04 92 70 64 50
-Sessions of observation general public and groups
-School stays and vacation centres
Reception on booking
Plateau du Moulin à Vent
Tél. : 04 92 76 69 69Events
Useful addresses
- Mairie de Saint Michel l'Observatoire, Place Serre - 04870 Saint Michel l'Observatoire
Tel : 04 92 76 60 04
Fax : 04 92 76 68 93
- Syndicat D'Iniative de Saint Michel L'Observatoire, Place de la Fontaine 04870 Saint Michel l'Observatoire
Tel : 04 92 75 64 43
- La Poste, Place Serre - 04870 Saint Michel l´Observatoire
Tel : 04 92 76 60 27
Site map
Access
From Forcalquier or Cereste by D4100 to take D5 then D305 to Saint Michel l´Observatoire.
Distance from towns
Aubenas les Alpes > 7 km, Dauphin > 8 km, Mane > 9 km, Saint Martin les Eaux > 9.5 km, Villemus > 11 km, Revest des Brousses > 11 km, Reillanne > 12 km, Forcalquier > 12 km, Saint Maime > 14 km, Montjustin > 14 km, Montfuron > 15 km, Cereste > 17 km, Banon > 19 km, Vacheres > 21 km, La Bastide des Jourdans > 23 km, Sainte Croix A Lauze > 24 km, Saint Martin du Castillon > 26 km, Viens > 27 km, Manosque > 28 km, Vitrolles en Luberon > 28 km, Simiane la Rotonde > 28 km, Castellet > 29 km, Caseneuve > 30 km, Oppédette > 30 km, Auribeau > 31 km, Saignon > 32 km, La Tour d'Aigues > 33 km, Apt en Provence > 35 km, Sivergues > 40 km, Saint Christol d'Albion > 40 km, Gignac > 41 km, Villars > 43 km, Buoux > 43 km, Saint Saturnin les Apt > 44 km, Rustrel > 45 km, Colorado Provençal > 46 km, Roussillon > 46 km, Sault > 47 km, Lagarde d'Apt > 51 km, Bonnieux > 53 km, Lourmarin > 55 km, Gordes > 56 km, Menerbes > 57 km, Abbaye de Sénanque > 60 km, Fontaine de Vaucluse > 67 km, Isle sur la Sorgue > 68 km, Cavaillon > 68 km, Moustiers Sainte Marie > 77 km, Aéroport Avignon > 80 km, Aix en Provence > 86 km, La Roque d'Antheron > 86 km, Abbaye de Silvacane > 86 km, Avignon TGV > 86 km, Saint Remy de Provence > 87 km, Avignon > 88 km, Les Baux de Provence > 97 km, Aéroport Marseille Provence > 110 km, Marseille > 114 km, Pont du Gard > 114 km, Vaison la Romaine > 116 km, Nimes > 136 km, Arles 161 km, Saint Tropez > 221 km, Cannes > 233 km, Nice > 268 km, Bandol > 143 km, Sanary sur mer > 147 km, Cassis > 124 km
Provence Weather
- Mon. 15
14° - Tue. 16
16° - Wed. 17
17° - Thu. 18
16°
2009 world year of the Astronomy
The observatory of Saint Michel participates in the world year of the astronomy. Visits and program.
>> world year of the astronomy
Astro Summer
From July 1st till September 30th, 2009, the Departemental Centre of Astronomy proposes this henceforth traditional meeting which celebrates the World Year of the Astronomy.