Barcelonnette, capital of Ubaye
Barcelonnette is a unique and charming corner of the Southern Alps, and is nestled in the heart of the Ubaye Serre-Ponçon Valley, located right at the gateway to the Mercantour National Park. It is a land of escapes with remarkable landscapes, and a place steeped in history, whose unique historical heritage is visible on every street corner.
Welcome to Barcelonnette!
The most Mexican of French towns
It introduces that taste of being abroad that you are sure to enjoy when discovering Barcelonnette. Allow yourself be surprised by its atypical villas, its lively squares full of charm and its historic centre full of warm, welcoming colours.
You are sure to love its pedestrianised centre, which is full of good restaurants, its varied shops and, of course, the surprising "Mexican" villas, a legacy of an era that has left an indelible mark on the town. Barcelonnette welcomes you and encourages you to stroll around and discover its past.
The history of Barcelonnette is closely linked to the Americas: in the 19th century, several thousand residents left for the adventures of Mexico. The town has preserved its impressive architectural heritage dating from that period and this is clearly evidenced in the numerous villas. These beautiful bourgeois residences were commissioned by the emigrants who returned to their homeland once their fortune was made, and they are testament to the deep-running links that Barcelonnette continues to have with Mexico.
The city has a Mexican air around it, which is both surprising and instantly seductive. Barcelonnette will take you on a journey through its unusual architecture. It hums and vibrates to the rhythm of events that sees it decked out in Mexican colours and offers the opportunity to savour various gastronomic specialities reminiscent of previous times in Barcelonnette.
A backdrop formed by the mountains of the Ubaye Serre-Ponçon Valley
Barcelonnette is set against the amazing backdrop of the Ubaye Serre-Ponçon Valley. Just look up and marvel at the evocatively named peaks that tower over the town: Le Chapeau de Gendarme and Le Pain de Sucre. To the east is Haute-Ubaye. This is alpine countryside that also forms the highest point of the valley, with a dizzying multitude of peaks that exceed 3000 metres in height. To the west, where Provençal influences really come to the fore, is Lac de Serre-Ponçon and its turquoise waters... a real seaside spot in the mountains.
With nearly 900 km of hiking trails, more than 40 mountain bike routes, 7 legendary passes to ascend by bike, 50 km of white water rapids for sports enthusiasts and renowned air quality, Barcelonnette and its surroundings form a unique playground for lovers of outdoor activities.