Digne-les-Bains : Station thermale en Haute Provence

Digne-les-bains is the prefecture of the Alpes de Haute-Provence department and classified as a tourism location, it is the historical capital of fine lavanda. Situated at an altitude of 600 m, in the heart of UNESCO Haute-Provence Geopark, it has a population of approximately 16,304.

Surrounded by mountains, Digne-les-Bains is right at the meeting point of three valleys : the Bléone valley, the Mardaric valley and the Torrent des Eaux Chaudes valley.

Thermal resort

From the first century before Jesus Christ, the romans set up thermal baths in the Eaux Chaudes valley. The waters, naturally emerging at the bottom of the cliff, have a temperature ranging from 22°C to 42°C.

Also visited during the middle ages, the sources were extremely appreciated during the 17th century. Still today, numerous diseases are treated in the thermal baths of Digne-les-Bains : arthrosis and rheumatism, chronic rhinitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis, earaches, etc.

Pierre Gassendi

Digne-les-Bains has a rich cultural heritage and a history marked by great minds like Pierre Gassendi. In Digne, numerous monuments bear the name of this famous 17th century philosopher originating from Champtercier and his statue is proudly erected on the Place du Général de Gaulle.

The Route Napoléon

On Saturday, the 4th of march 1815 at noon of market day, Napoleon enters in Digne-les-Bains from the Mère de Dieu street. He has lunch in the ancient hotel Le Petit Paris held by Louis Bausset (commemorative plate on its façade). The troups are camping on the Pré-de-Foire and on the cours des Arès. The emperor leaves Digne around 3pm through the boulevard Gassendi (once called « Chemin Neuf ») and the Grand Pont. The Route Napoléon goes through protected and preserved areas such as the Geological Natural Reserve of Haute-Provence (largest one in Europe), and the world first UNESCO certified Geopark.

Two cathedrals

As a consequence of its turbulent past, Digne-les-Bains has the particularity of having two cathedrals : Saint-Jérôme and Notre Dame du Bourg.

Outdoor activities

Starting point of numerous hikes and mountain biking tracks, Digne-les-Bains is also a paradise for every outdoor activities enthusiasts and sensation seekers (paragliding, climbing, canyoning, Via Ferrata…).

Commerical areas

Shops in Digne-les-Bains are divided in two places : in the city centre, nearby Boulevard Gassendi, and when entering the city from Marseille, in the Saint-Christophe area.