For a long time, Haute Provence inspired writers with its grandiose landscapes and its preserved nature. Deep in love with this rude and solar country, they'll help you perceive the deepest secrets of the land.
The Tourism Development Agency of the Alpes de Haute Provence, wether alone or in collaboration with the French Federation of Hiking, releases more than 35 books, from basic topo-guides to complete discovery guides where you’ll discover flora, fauna, but also history and economy of Haute-Provence.
Among the most originals: Les sentiers du moine de Lure, a tribute to Pierre Martel, founding member of the association Alpes et Lumière; Les chemins de la Liberté, on the path of resistants in the Alpes de Haute-Provence.
Last issue: Le pays de Haute-Provence.
Journalist and novelist, Paul Arène, who was close to the félibres, moved to Paris to enjoy a real success. But he didn’t forget about his hometown Sisteron, dubbed Canteperdrix in his poetic and lighthearted novels.
Must-read: Domnine, Jean des Figues…
Everybody knows Jean Giono, Manosque’s famous writer and his flamboyant lyricism which revealed the hidden treasures of Haute-Provence. Discovered in 1929 with his novel ‘’Colline’’, he then became very prolific and inspired by our Provencal land.
Must-read : Le hussard sur le toit, Le grand troupeau, Provence…
Novelist and poet, this teacher wrote her first novel Sous le Vent, published in 1931 was acclaimed by André Gide and described the Haute-Provence of humble people. But in this work, steeped in humanity, nature is the main character.
Must-read : Le dernier feu, Les mains vides…
In 1926, Alexandra David-Neel, writer and explorer, is the first European woman to enter the Forbidden City of Lhassa. She’d write numerous novels from her fantastic trips. But she’d always come back to Digne where she could see the snowy summits of the Southern Alps, this ‘’Mini-Tibet for lilliputians’’.
Must-read :Voyage d’une Parisienne à Lhassa, Mystiques et magiciens du Tibet…
The novels of Pierre Magnan, manosquin and heir of Giono, will lead you on the sideways of Haute-Provence, from the hills of Forcalquier to the cemetery of Barles. A master of suspense, he writes intriguing plots in this enigmatic land.
Must-read: Le sang des Atrides, La maison assassinée, Chronique d’un château hanté…
A writer who cares about human misery and actual problems, René Frégni often writes about marginal characters crossing Provence with their difficulties and desires.
Must-read : Les Nuits d’Alice, L’été, Tu tomberas avec la nuit…
Though he doen’t live permanently in our department, Pierre Moustiers, whose family comes from Seyne-les-Alpes, often brings the reader on the paths of Haute-Provence or on the alpine slopes like in his first novel published in 1969, La paroi. A writer who cares about the details, Pierre Moustiers describes the psychology of his characters with a sharp accuracy.
Must-read : Au Coeur du voyage, De rêve et de glace, Baptiste
A stay in a Gîte de France, here's a gift idea which is quite uncommon and that will certainly make the beneficiary more than happy !
GITE LA REMISE DE ST JACQUES
We've gathered for you all the housings labelled Gîtes de France for less than 3 months. A good occasion to discover some new adresses of the Gîtes de France in the Alpes de Haute-Provence, whatever the type of accomodation your looking for : gîte, bed and breakfast, group gîte, city break ...

