Montfuron

Montfuron is a pretty hilltop village near Manosque, in the Luberon Regional Natural Park. It offers a magnificent panorama of the Giono hills, the Durance plain, the Valensole plateau, the foothills of the Alps, and on the other side the peaks of the Luberon, the Lure Mountains, and Mont Ventoux.

Montfuron on the Via Domitia

The Romans had already taken advantage of this geographical dominance by building a road to join the Via Domitia. Later, Jean Garnier, Lord of Montfuron, built a small Renaissance castle. It was ransacked during the Wars of Religion. The remains of the ruins of the castle, or rather of a large country house, are still visible at the Castelas belvedere which dominates the village.

Due to its location, exposed to the winds of Provence, the villagers built a windmill in 1640 under Louis XIV. Restored several times, this mill is now in working order and can once again grind wheat and produce flour. An ingenious system allows the windmill's sails to be oriented to face the blowing wind. The town hall regularly offers guided tours. Upon arriving in the village, you can't miss the Saint-Elzéar windmill. !

In the past, there were two other mills, a water mill and a plaster mill (now in ruins). The "Ravin des plâtrières" also bears witness to the former activity of gypsum extraction and plaster manufacturing. Gypsum deposits were numerous in the surrounding area. The gypsum was heated in the kilns and ground in the mill to transform it into high-quality plaster, which was very renowned in the region.
It is also interesting to note that the etymology of the name of the village comes from the Latin Monsfurnorum, "mountain of ovens".

Saint-Elzéar

The village and its beautiful stone houses also invite you to wander. The medieval church of Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Elzéar, dedicated to both Notre-Dame and Saint-Elzéar, is a 1981th-century Romanesque-style church. The bell tower dates from the XNUMXth century. The Saint-Elzéar chapel has been listed as a Historic Monument since XNUMX.

Elzéar de Sabran lived in the 1285th century (1323-1371). Born into a noble family, he was forced into marriage to Delphine de Signe by his parents. She took a vow of chastity and succeeded in convincing her husband to devote himself to God. The church canonized Saint Elzéar in XNUMX and named her Blessed Delphine de Signe.

Legend has it that while passing through the town of Montfuron, Elzéar encountered a sick and dying child, blind from a high fever. He performed a miracle by restoring the child's sight. This is why, in recognition of this miracle, a chapel was built on the site of the healing.

A remarkable wind stone

On the belvedere perched at an altitude of 650 meters, a remarkable wind stone is also worth a visit. The names of the thirty-two winds that blow in Provence are thus engraved in stone according to their direction: Tramontane, Mistral, Sirocco, Seguin, etc.
Another, more classic, orientation table allows you to find your way around this 360° open landscape. It is true that from this place, you can see as far as Sainte Victoire, Mont Chiran, the Trois Evêchés massif...

Access and location

Join Montfuron

Ideally located near Manosque, Montfuron is easily accessible.

By car
From Marseille (around 1 hours) or Aix-en-Provence (30 minutes), take the A45 towards Sisteron, exit Manosque, then via the D51.
It is also possible to reach the village via the winding roads of the Luberon for a most picturesque journey.

By train
The nearest train station to Montfuron is in Manosque. From there, you can take a taxi or rent a car to reach the village.

By bus
Bus transport is also possible thanks to regional lines that serve Manosque. From Manosque bus station, it's easy to reach Montfuron with a short taxi or rental car ride.

What to do in Montfuron?

The commune, which is within the perimeter of the Luberon Geological Nature Reserve, and the Luberon UNESCO Global Geopark, home to all kinds of fossils, vertebrates, invertebrates and plants.
The Montfuron Butterfly Garden is an open-air space near a windmill, in the heart of a wild shrubby scrubland, dedicated to Provençal butterfliesThis area has many plants, the food plants that attract them. It is home to more than sixty species of diurnal butterflies and as many nocturnal onesIt was the butterfly garden of Digne-les-Bains and the Proserpine association that made its creation possible.

The Church of Our Lady and Saint Elzéar

Historic site and monument

Table of 32 Winds

Orientation table

Luberon Route, Banon Country from Manosque

Tourist routes

Hiking idea

Starting from the village, a very pretty 2-hour walking loop allows, in addition to the very beautiful panorama, to reach through the forest the site of the old plaster mill (private), then the windmill overlooking the Durance plain.

When to come to Montfuron?

Enjoy events and guided tours throughout the year. Here are some highlights:

In spring : to enjoy the mild climate and the rebirth of nature. For sports enthusiasts, the Luberon Nature Trail in May. Country Heritage and Mills Day in June.
Summer : Entertainment in the village throughout the summer, open-air cinema, concerts, village festivals, etc.
The round of nativity scenes : Every winter, from mid-December to the end of January, the church hosts a lively nativity scene. In the middle of a natural and plant-filled setting including a windmill, santons dressed in traditional costumes represent several scenes of Provençal life. It is part of the living tradition of the “Round of Nativity Scenes”.

Villages and towns of character

15 of our villages have received the label "Villages and Cities of Character"Each one, with its unique heritage, invites you to a discovery full of charm and history.

Answers to your questions