Labeled Village and city of character, the commune of Annot is located in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, in the department of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. Located in the heart of the Pays des Grès, it takes place not far from the town of Castellane, about twenty kilometers from Angles.
Populated since Gallo-Roman times, the commune of Annot was mainly developed during the Middle Ages, becoming property of the counts of Provence. But it was in the nineteenth century that the borough experienced a real industrial boom with the installation of spinning mills and weaving of wool. The arrival of the railway at the beginning of the 20th century ends up opening up Annot and bringing it a certain notoriety in the region.
Today, if Annot is mainly known for its landscapes and natural spaces, the municipality also has an interesting architectural heritage to discover during a stay in the region.
Located in the heart of a resurgence of sandstone, the market town of Annot presents in particular the beautiful site of the Sandstones of Annot. Genuine chaos of sandstone blocks taking place on nearly forty square kilometers, the site is an important protected walkway.
Walking through Annot, you can discover the remains of the ancient medieval ramparts, including a few gates. In the hamlet of Vérimande, you can also see a Templar chapel, classified as a Historic Monument.
In the old village, the church of St. John the Baptist was a simple priory until the end of the twelfth century. There is a 16th century aisle, as well as a nave modified in the 17th century. Inside, several elements have been classified or inscribed in the Historical Monuments, like a statue of Saint Dominic of the seventeenth century, or a statue of Saint Rosa de Lima.
The Notre-Dame-de-Vérmande chapel, which was inscribed on the inventory of historic monuments, was rebuilt in the course of the 17th century. It is decorated with two works classified to the Historic Monuments, a Virgin and a Child, and a painting representing the saints Prosper, Fortunate, Innocent and Secure. Not far away, you will also admire the Chapelle des Pénitents blancs, the Sainte-Anne chapel, or the old Saint-Pierre-aux-Liens church.
Walking through the old village of Annot, you will appreciate the medieval streets, as well as the old Hotel Dieu and the town hall both dating from the seventeenth century. The square and the plane trees of the second are even inscribed in Historic Monuments.
The bridge over the Vaïre is 34 meters long and dates from the end of the 17th century. It is included in the inventory of Historical Monuments.
Different hiking trails are accessible to walkers of all levels, while amateurs can learn to climb on several sites.
The steam train Pignes also passes through the commune of Annot and allows to discover Provence in a more authentic way.