Aubignosc is a commune in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, 8 km south of Sisteron.
Its territory of 14 km² oscillates from 432 to 1330 m altitude, bordered by the course of the Durance which constitutes its limit to the east.
Between the reliefs of the Luberon and the Lure mountain to the west, the Prealps to the north and the east, the locality is made up of two poles: the ancient village of Forest in the center and that of Aubignosc which developed later to the east, in the Durance valley.
Its environment remains rural and green, covered with forests (25% of its surface area), natural spaces not or barely covered with vegetation (41%) and agricultural areas (25%).
Part of the viguerie of Sisteron in the Middle Ages, its inhabitants had the privilege of not paying taxes to the counts of Provence and the kings of France.
Long concentrated on vines which have now disappeared, agricultural activity is now concentrated on the exploitation and production of olives and lavender (oils) as well as livestock breeding (lambs, goats).
The town, which has nearly 630 inhabitants, highlights its heritage and its still Provençal charm on the edge of the Alpine massifs. Lovers of green tourism will appreciate it.
If there are no longer any traces of the castrum established in the early Middle Ages on the summit of the hill at the foot of which the village of Aubignosc developed, a discovery of the heritage can begin with the parish church, below, mentioned as early as the 13th century. The current building dedicated to Saint Julien was built in 1662, with a double nave which ends in a cul-de-four apse. The church houses an altar dedicated to the Roman god Sylvain from a primitive temple and a two-meter high painting representing a Virgin and Child between Saint Roch and Saint Ignatius of Loyola. The 18th century work is classified as an object.
On Le Forest, the church of the Nativity of the Virgin dates from 1754.
An old wash house and a Renaissance style residence which probably housed a priory in the Middle Ages, still on the village of Forest, the small bastide with house and tower in the place called Gravas are still to be mentioned. Finally, although much more recent (1983), note that the building of the agricultural cooperative with silo and corn dryer, west of the village of Aubignosc, was included in the Inventory…
On the leisure side, shows, conferences or association events are regularly organized at the village hall: contact the town hall on +33 4 92 62 41 94.
For athletes, a field is accessible in the north of the town (on the edge of that of Peipin). But it is above all hiking enthusiasts who are in for the fun: many walks can be envisaged on the territory of the town itself, obviously including the old castle mound where an orientation table has been set up, allowing you to observe the village like the Durance valley. Dotted with postcard landscapes with lavender fields, olive groves but also forest paths in the south, steeper, these routes will also include the banks of the Durance, now less capricious, and which run alongside the A51 motorway (Aix- Gap) and the RN85.
Larger routes can take walkers or cyclists towards Sisteron in the north or the peaks of the Lure mountain in the west.
Maps and information from the intercommunal tourist office on +33 4 92 61 36 50.
During a walk, a discovery… and gourmet stop can be made at the Maccario honey house: information on +33 6 50 88 24 86.
In mid-May, nature festival at the Shared Garden.
The last weekend of June, rural heritage festival.
The 3rd weekend of August, votive festival.