Citadel of Forcalquier

This oppidum made of safre (limestone molasse) was inhabited very early on by Neolithic populations and later by Celtic and Ligurian peoples.
During the Roman era, the population lived mainly on the plains in large villas and farms. During the time of the great barbarian invasions, the population moved back to settle on the heights of the oppidum. The early Middle Ages saw the construction of a castle.
This castle will be the residence of the Counts of Forcalquier and Provence.
This castle was heavily bombarded during the siege that the city suffered in 1481 during its (forced) annexation to the kingdom of France under the reign of Louis XI.
The Wars of Religion completed its destruction. Henry IV had what remained of the castle razed in 1601.
Gradually, the heights of the city and the surroundings of the old castle were abandoned. The city turned towards the north, that is to say towards the cathedral and the main communication axis which currently crosses the city.

On the site of the castle of the Counts of Forcalquier, the foundations of which still remain to the south, stand today:
- The carillon which strikes its notes every Sunday at 11:30 a.m., on Monday morning, market day and for the main religious holidays (ringing of the "Nadalet" the week before Christmas).
It is one of the very rare manual carillons in Provence using the traditional "punch" method.
This new chime, inaugurated in 2018, combines stone, metal and wood.
It replaces the previous one built in 1925 and then in 1939.

- The Notre-Dame de Provence Chapel, in the neo-Byzantine style and octagonal, was erected in 1875 at the initiative of Canon Terrasson. It is decorated at each corner with statues of musicians, each playing a medieval musical instrument. The tympanum of the chapel is decorated with the saints of Provence.

Open in the afternoon from 14 p.m. To visit, please call Jean-Louis at 06 45 32 87 91