Page 186 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Provence & The Côte d'Azur

184  PROVENCE AREA B Y AREA

5Colmars
Road map E2. * 400. @
n Ancienne Auberge Fleurie (04 92 83
41 92). ( Tue & Fri (Jun–Sep). ∑ col
marslesalpes-verdontourisme.com
Colmars is an unusually complete
fortified town, nestling between
two 17th-century forts. You
can walk along the 12-m (40-ft)
ramparts, which look across
oak-planked roofs. The town is
named after the hill on which
it is built, collis Martis, where the
Romans built a temple to the
god Mars. Vauban, the military
engineer, designed its lasting
look. On the north side, an alley
leads to the 17th-century Fort
de Savoie, a fine example of
military architecture. From the
Porte de France a path leads
to the Fort de France.
Situated among wooded hills
Colmars is popular in summer,
when time is spent relaxing on
wooden balconies (soleillades
lit, sun-traps), or strolling along
alpine paths with beautiful views.
Signposts lead from the town to
the Cascade de la Lance, a water-
fall half-an-hour’s walk away. The fortified town of Colmars, flanked by two compact forts
+ Fort de Savoie town’s four-day lavender lies the oldest part of Digne-les-
04370 Colmars. Tel 04 92 83 41 92. carnival rolls out in August (see Bains. The grand cathedral of
Open mid-Jun–mid-Sep: Sat–Mon pm p229), for Digne styles itself the Notre-Dame-du-Bourg, built
(Jul–Aug: daily); mid-Sep–mid-Jun: by “ “ “capitale de la Lavande”. In recent capitale de la Lavande”. In recent capitale de la Lavande” between 1200–1330, is the
appt only. & 8 obligatory. years, the town has promoted largest Romanesque church in
itself as an important centre Haute Provence. It has its own
for modern sculpture, which archaeological crypt with relics
6Digne-les-Bains liberally furnishes the town. dating back to the Roman era.
The Musée Gassendi, found The Jardin des Cordeliers,
Road map D2. * 17,700. £ @
n Pl du Tampinet (04 92 36 62 62). in the old town hospice, houses an enchanting walled garden
( Wed & Sat (Blvd Gassendi). 16th–19th-century French, Italian in a converted convent, houses
∑ ot-dignelesbains.fr and Dutch paintings, a collection a large collection of medicinal
of contemporary art and plants and a sensory garden.
The capital of the region 19th-century scientific
has been a spa town instruments. Among E Musée Gassendi
since Roman times, portraits of Digne’s 64 blvd Gassendi. Tel 04 92 31 45 29.
primed by seven hot famous is Alexandra Open Wed–Mon (Oct–mid-May: Sat &
springs. It still attracts David-Néel, one of Sun pm only). Closed public hols,
those seeking various Europe’s most intrepid 25 Dec–2 Jan. & 7 = 9
∑ musee-gassendi.org
cures, who visit the travellers, who died in
Thermes Digne-les-Bains, 1969 aged 101. Her E Maison Alexandra David-Néel
a short drive southeast house, Samten-Dzong 27 ave Maréchal Juin. Tel 04 92 31
of the town. Health (fortress of meditation) 32 38. Open Apr–Jun & Sep–Mar: Tue–
seems to radiate from is now the Maison Sun (Dec–Mar: pm only); Jul–Aug:
Digne’s airy streets, Alexandra David-Néel daily, by guided tour only. 8 =
∑ alexandra-david-neel.org
particularly from the and includes a Tibetan
boulevard Gassendi, centre and a museum. Y Jardin des Cordeliers
named after local mathe- At the north end of Couvent des Cordeliers, Ave Paul
matician and astronomer boulevard Gassendi is Martin. Tel 04 92 31 59 59. Open Mar–
Pierre Gassendi (1592– Street sculpture the 19th-century Grande Nov: Mon pm–Fri. Closed public hols.
1655). This is where the in Digne Fontaine and beyond 7 8
For hotels and restaurants in this region see p201 and pp216–17