Ganagobie

Ganagobie

The Monastery of Ganagobie is located between Sisteron and Manosque on a plateau surrounded by sheer cliffs overlooking the Durance River.
At an average altitude of 650 metres above sea level, the plateau was formed 20 to 25 years ago in the Forcalquier Basin, then under the sea. The site of Ganagobie features geological components of exceptional interest : natural rock shelters, quarries, many springs, abundant vegetation.
Because of its remarkable strategic value, it has been occupied since the Bronze Age (2000 BC). But, more recently, three major periods mark demographic growth on the plateau: the Dark Ages (5th-7th centuries), the Romanesque period (10th-13th centuries) and the Renaissance.

Monastère de Ganagobie

A remarkable site that has been inhabited for millions years, it is well-known for its remarkable polychrome medieval mosaic floors, which date back to the 12th century and are unique in France.
Today, there remain Romanesque structures (church, cloister, monastic buildings), some 15th-century vestiges and ancillarybuildings erected in the 17th-18th century, in perfect harmony with the new constructions. Like the church, the cloister is very austere, a compact lowslung building located south of the nave of the church. Its regular quadrangle provides a shaft of light inside the structure. Th decorationin the cloister is sober (capitals with stylised foliation).

Free access, opening hours every day except on Monday from 3 pm to 5 pm.

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•Tourism in the Department • Tourism in PACA • TER PACA • la Route Napoléon • les gîtes ruraux • Millétapes en France

Tourist Office and Mountain Bike Centre of Val de Durance
Ferme de Font Robert - Avenue de la Bastide - 04160 Château-Arnoux
Tél. 04 92 64 02 64 - Fax : 04 92 64 54 55
E-mail : tourisme@la-moyenne-durance.fr
Open from June to September from Monday to Saturday: 9.30am-12.30am and 2.30pm-6.30pm.
Open on Sunday morning in July and August, from 9.30 am to 1 pm.
Open from October to May from Monday to Saturday: 9am to 12am and 2 pm to 6 pm, only on saturday morning.
Open on weekend for mountain bike rentals on request.