Manosque (; Provençal Occitan: Manòsca in classical norm or Manosco in Mistralian norm) is the largest town and commune in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in southeastern France. However, it is not the préfecture (capital) of the department, which is the smaller town of Digne-les-Bains. Manosque is located at the far eastern end of the Luberon near the Durance river.

History

It was in the 13th century that the city walls were constructed: they have been completely destroyed apart from a few remaining gates.

The Hôtel de Ville dates back at least to about 1750.

Population

Personalities

Economy

• Olivier Baussan, founder of L’Occitane and Oliviers & Co.

Science

• Félix Esclangon (1905-1956), physicist, born and buried in Manosque.

Medicine

• Fava of Manosque was a Jewish physician and surgeon in the early 14th century (c. 1321).

• Pierre Gérard Vassal (1769-1840) doctor and surgeon born in Manosque.

Writers

• Marc-Antoine Laugier (1711-1769) born in Manosque, Jesuit writer and music critic considered the father of naturalism.

• Élémir Bourges (1852-1925) born in Manosque, novelist and journalist.

• Jean Giono (1895-1970) born and died in Manosque, buried in the communal cemetery.

• Pierre Magnan (1922-2012) born in Manosque, passionate writer of Provence.

• René Frégni born in Marseille, lived in Manosque.

• Sonia Chiambretto writer, lived in Manosque, worked with others on the archives of the Papon case.

Politicians

• François Joseph de Pochet (1729-1794), born in Manosque, deputy to the Estates General of 1789, representing the sénéchaussée of Aix-en-Provence.

• Henri Maurel (1867-1935), born in Manosque, deputy for Bouches-du-Rhône in 1919.

• Pierre Augier (1910-1963), deputy for Vaucluse, and mayor of Pertuis, born in Manosque.

Actors

• Christian Barbier (1924-2009) spent the last years of his life in Manosque and died there.

• Hafsia Herzi born in Manosque in 1987.

• Grégory Basso born in Manosque in 1974, French actor and singer, participant in TV reality shows.

Artists

• The English painter Ralph Rumney spent the last years of his life in Manosque.

Musicians

• The composer Adolphe Blanc was born in Manosque on the 24 June 1828.

• The jazz musician Olivier Gatto born in Manosque en 1963.

• The French rock guitarist, singer, and movie soundtrack artist - Stéphane Honde (aka Steph Honde) : "Rock You Like a Hurricane" in collaboration with Micki Milosevic under the band name "Unprotected Innocence", Sony Music Entertainment in the movie HellBoy, released by Lionsgate, April 2019.

• The French rock group Café Bertrand.

• The bass-baritone Vincent le Texier.

Sports

• The athlete Salvatore Alario, junior French high jump champion in the 1970s.

• The motocross driver Jean-Michel Bayle born in Manosque in 1969.

• The swimmer Esther Baron was a member of the EP Manosque club.

• The amateur French cycling champion 1971 Richard Podesta.

• The international athlete Gloria Garrido was born in Manosque in 1951

• The professional racing cyclist Julien El Farès, born in Manosque in 1985.

• The racing cyclist Édouard Fachleitner (1921-2008), nicknamed "le berger de Manosque" (the shepherd of Manosque), second in the Tour de France 1947.

• The middle-distance runner (800 metres) Florent Lacasse.

• The flyweight boxer Karim Guerfi, junior world champion, champion of France, champion of Europe (2013).

Twin towns

Manosque is twinned with:

• Leinfelden-Echterdingen, Germany

• Voghera, Italy

See also

• Coteaux de Pierrevert AOC

• Communes of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department

References

External links

• Official website

• activities in Manosque and surroundings