Manosque

Manosque
Manosque seen from the Mont d'Or Manosque seen from the Mont d'Or
Coat of arms of Manosque Coat of arms
Manosque
Location within Provence-A.-C.d'A. region Manosque
Coordinates:
Country	France
Region	Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Department	Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
Arrondissement	Forcalquier
Government
• Mayor (2014–2020)	Bernard Jeanmet-Péralta
Area1	56.73 km2 (21.90 sq mi)
Population (2012)2	22,099
• Density	390/km2 (1,000/sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code	04112 / 04100
Elevation	279–730 m (915–2,395 ft) (avg. 330 m or 1,080 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. 2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

Manosque (Provençal Occitan: Manòsca in classical norm or Manosco in Mistralian norm) is the largest town and commune in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in southeastern France. However, it is not the préfecture (capital) of the department, which resides in the smaller town of Digne-les-Bains. Manosque is located at the far eastern end of the Luberon near the Durance river.

History

Manosque has existed since before 966 when it is first mentioned historically. Commerce thrived in the town in the 13th century leading the population to increase to 10,000 inhabitants. It was at this time that the city walls were constructed. The walls have been completely destroyed apart from a few remaining gates. The population suffered greatly starting in the 18th century due to plagues in 1720 and 1834. Between 1950 and 1970 the town saw a huge increase in population along with other areas south of the Luberon. A threefold increase in inhabitants occurred.

Population

Historical population
Year	Pop.	±%
1716	4,370	—
1760	5,860	+34.1%
1765	4,370	−25.4%
1793	4,726	+8.1%
1800	5,360	+13.4%
1806	5,570	+3.9%
1821	5,544	−0.5%
1831	5,543	−0.0%
1836	4,995	−9.9%
1841	5,311	+6.3%
1846	5,684	+7.0%
1851	5,073	−10.7%
1856	5,897	+16.2%
1861	5,936	+0.7%
1866	5,919	−0.3%
1872	6,124	+3.5%
1876	6,136	+0.2%
1881	5,775	−5.9%
1886	5,450	−5.6%
1891	5,572	+2.2%
1896	5,265	−5.5%
1901	5,098	−3.2%
1906	5,017	−1.6%
1911	4,853	−3.3%
1921	5,036	+3.8%
1926	4,989	−0.9%
1931	4,661	−6.6%
1936	5,635	+20.9%
1946	6,734	+19.5%
1954	7,750	+15.1%
1962	10,080	+30.1%
1968	16,281	+61.5%
1975	19,150	+17.6%
1982	18,760	−2.0%
1990	19,107	+1.8%
1999	19,603	+2.6%
2008	22,270	+13.6%
2012	22,099	−0.8%

Personalities

• Economy
  • Olivier Baussan, founder of L’Occitane and Oliviers & Co.
• Science
  • Félix Esclangon (1905-1956), physicist, born and buried in Manosque
• Medicine
  • Pierre Gérard Vassal (1769-1840) doctor and surgeon born in Manosque
• Writers
  • Marc-Antoine Laugier (1711-1769) born in Manosque, Jesuit writer and music critic considered the father of naturalism
  • Élémir Bourges (1852-1925) born in Manosque, novelist and journalist
  • Jean Giono (1895-1970) born and died in Manosque, buried in the communal cenetery
  • Pierre Magnan (1922-2012) born in Manosque, passionate writer of Provence
  • René Frégni born in Marseille, lived in Manosque
  • Sonia Chiambretto writer, lived in Manosque, worked with others of the archives of the Papon case
• Politicians
  • François Joseph de Pochet (1729-1794), born in Manosque, deputy to the États généraux de 1789, representing the sénéchaussée of Aix-en-Provence
  • Henri Maurel (1867-1935), born in Manosque, deputy for Bouches-du-Rhône in 1919
  • Pierre Augier (1910-1963), deputy for Vaucluse, and mayor of Pertuis, born in Manosque
• Actors
  • Christian Barbier (1924-2009) spent the last years of his life in Manosque and died there
  • Hafsia Herzi born in Manosque in 1987
  • Grégory Basso born in Manosque in 1974, French actor and singer, participant in TV reality shows
• Musicians
  • The composer Adolphe Blanc born in Manosque on 24 June 1828.
  • The English painter Ralph Rumney spent the last years of his life in Manosque.
  • The jazz musician Olivier Gatto born in Manosque en 1963
  • The French rock group Café Bertrand
  • The bass-baritone Vincent le Texier.
• Sports
  • The athlete Salvatore Alario, junior French high jump champion in 1970s
  • The motocross driver Jean-Michel Bayle born in Manosque in 1969
  • The swimmer Esther Baron was a member of the EP Manosque club
  • The amateur French cycling champion 1971 Richard Podesta
  • The international athlete Gloria Garrido born in Manosque en 1951
  • The professional racing cyclist Julien El Farès, born in Manosque en 1985.
  • The racing cyclist Édouard Fachleitner (1921-2008), nicknamed "le berger de Manosque" (the shepherd of Manosque), 2nd in the Tour de France 1947
  • The middle distance runner (800) Florent Lacasse
  • The flyweight boxer Karim Guerfi, junior world champion, champion of France ,champion of Europe (2013)

Twin towns

Manosque is twinned with:

• Leinfelden-Echterdingen, Germany
• Voghera, Italy

See also

• Coteaux de Pierrevert AOC
• Communes of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department

References

• INSEE

External links

• Official website (French)