Jean Giono Center
Museum
MoreIn the footsteps of Jean Giono
A travel writer who remained faithful to Provence
Jean Giono is inseparable from Manosque and Provence. He took Provence far beyond its hills with his novels, which have become 20th-century classics. His rich work, translated and adapted for film, continues to inspire. Discover his places of remembrance, from the Jean Giono Center to his house, Le Paraïs, to immerse yourself in the world of a writer deeply attached to his land.
Jean Giono, the motionless traveler
Born in Manosque On March 30, 1895, the writer never left his country, but his work, the receptacle of his long inner journeys, traveled.
His work is quite dense and very varied; some of his novels have become great classics of 20th-century French literature. Some of his novels, translated into many foreign languages, have acquired international renown. Hill, One from Baumugnes, Renewal, The Hussard on the Toit, A King without entertainment...
Others have also inspired cinema movies as Croesus with Fernandel, Angèle in 1934, Renewal or in 1937 The Baker's Wife in 1938, directed by Marcel Pagnol. Later, The Hussard on the Toit by Jean-Paul Rappeneau, in 1995 or again Strong Souls by Raoul Ruiz, in 2001...
He died in Manosque on October 9, 1970, and remains a figure in Provençal literature.
Spaces like the Jean Giono Center from Manosque, his The Paradise house as well asAssociation of Friends of Jean Giono, dedicated to the life and work of the writer, are dedicated to him. These places offer visits, exhibitions, literary walks, readings, shows, etc.
Walk in his footsteps through the places that inspired him as he discovers the landscapes of Provence. A scenic route loops around the Lure Mountains, with plenty of literary stops.
A stay on the Jean Giono Route
This getaway offers four days of travel in Haute-Provence, between literature, inhabited landscapes and vibrant silence.
What to visit?
It's worth noting that the writer's home, Le Paraïs in Manosque, is currently undergoing renovations. When it reopens in 2026, you'll be able to discover this iconic venue, which will immerse you in the world of Jean Giono, a blend of literary heritage and intimate memories.
Tourist route
The Jean Giono Route
Books by the writer
Reading ideas
Manosque, city of Jean Giono
The writer, an emblematic figure of Manosque, made his town shine far beyond the Luberon. Walk in his footsteps to experience the soul of this Provençal town with its alleyways and inspiring places.
