|
This tiny and non-touristique village has some very pretty sights to see. There are a few narrow streets to wander, and the stone buildings have gray lauze roofs. You'll discover things like a lovely fountain on a little square [photo-2] or the tall round clock-bell tower with its round campanile [photo-3]. This tower is part of the 12th-16th-c chateau in the center of the village.
|
 |
|
|
Digne-les-Bains 47 km |
Fontienne 7 km |
Forcalquier 9 km |
Lardiers 23 km |
Lurs 6 km |
Manosque 30 km |
Saint Etienne-les-Orgues 12 km |
Sisteron 42 km |
Hotels near Sigonce: |
9 km Forcalquier |
12 km Saint Etienne-les-Orgues |
30 km Manosque |
42 km Sisteron |
47 km Digne-les-Bains |
Down at the edge of the village, a two-minute walk from the center, is the 14th-16th-century Eglise St-Claude, with it's fabulous complex roof in gray slate tiles [photo-4, 5].
You should plan a lunch-time visit to Signonce, perhaps after a swim nearby at the mill on the Lauzon river (see the Lurs page). The local "bistro", La Provence, has a simple lunch-time menu, with a very friendly welcome and a very relaxed atmosphere. Our photo-6 shows La Provence in the background at the right, with its terrace tables in front of the Mairie, sharing space with the village market.
History
Name
First record, 1206
Sigonce was created as a hunting reserve for the Counts of Forcalquier. In 1391, Sigonce payed a ransom to avoid the pillages of the Camisards. Sigonce had a population of 557 in 1851.
Hiking
Maps:
IGN (1/25,000) #3341 OT "Montagne de Lure, Les Mees, Chateau-Arnoux"
IGN (1/25,000) #3341 ouest "Forcalquier"
Didier Richard (1/50,000) #28 "Montagne de Lure, Val de Durance"
Sigonce is in an area of farmland, with vineyards and olive orchards.
About 5 km east, the forested hills of the Foret du Prieuré between Lurs and Mallefougasse has several yellow-marked Petite Randonnée (PR) trails. North of Mallefougasse, the forest joins with the Luberon mountains and its hiking trails.
Dining
Bar-tabac La Provence
Location:
village center
Closed: Mon, except July-Aug
Tel: 0492 750 701
This is a typical Provencal café, with a warm welcome (by Eric and Chantal Terranova) in a lovely little village. It's part of a regional group of "Bistros de Pays". Terrace dining in front of the café and on the main village square (see Beyond's Sigonce page).
It isn't "haute cuisine", but a good, practical Provencal meal. Our lunch meal for two, with wine, was 140 F.
Lodging - Hotels
Hotels in Towns Nearby to Sigonce
• 9 km — Forcalquier hotels
• 12 km — Saint Etienne-les-Orgues hotels
• 30 km — Manosque hotels
• 42 km — Sisteron hotels
• 47 km — Digne-les-Bains hotels
|
Photo gallery of 6 photos for Sigonce