Rosans: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

The Tour Carrée stands in the centre of the medieval village of Rosans. It dates from the 12th century, is made of diamond-shaped sandstone blocks and has walls four metres thick. In summer, it hosts arts and crafts exhibitions.

Culture and History

The Château de Lesdiguières originated around 1390 from a medieval tower and was extensively remodelled at the beginning of the 17th century. The fortified village of Rosans still has a town wall with gateways leading to the historic centre. On the Rue du Tunnel, the old calade corresponds to a former defensive walkway that was later covered by the neighbouring houses.

Sundials are also part of the village’s character. The “Giono” sundial dates from 1981 and bears a sentence by Jean Giono. The De Turckheim sundial bears the motto “Plus est en toi” and is located on the façade of the former temple, which now houses the town hall.

Paths and Routes

The Chemin du Facteur follows the former postal route between Rosans and Sainte-Marie-de-Rosans, which was used until 1925, and begins at Rosans church square. The Sentier Toponymie du Rosanais is a 6.9-kilometre themed trail in Rosans.

The Chemin des Roses is marked in the village streets by roses painted on the ground. Its blue route begins at the Château de Rosans and is specifically suitable for wheelchair users, people with walking difficulties and pushchairs. In the Sisteron Buëch area, the Route des cadrans solaires is a freely accessible, map-based route that also includes the Giono sundial in Rosans.

Landscape and Surroundings

The area around Rosans offers views over the Oule Valley and dark marl slopes. In the vicinity of Rosans, rounded sandstone blocks known as “dinosaur eggs” can be seen above Saint-André-de-Rosans at Le Serres d’Autruy.

The Plan d’eau de Pigerolles, just outside Rosans in green surroundings, is a place for relaxation.

Crafts and Local Discoveries

At the Forge de Rosans, a knife-maker produces handmade, unique and bespoke knives; the workshop can be visited by appointment. La Rivière des Arômes offers an experience centred around lavender distillation, including harvesting, distillation and the production of essential oil and floral water.

Marion Richaume is a ceramic artist who creates earthenware pieces on the theme of nature; her works are available in Rosans at the Atelier de la Lune.

Anyone considering Rosans as a travel destination may want to rent a holiday apartment.

To the higher-level travel overview: Hautes-Alpes.

More Destinations

More places within the same destination:

Briancon, Saint-André-Dʼembrun, La Bâtie-Neuve, Saint-Jean-Saint-Nicolas, Saint-Martin-De-Queyrières, Le Monêtier-Les-Bains, Le Sauze-Du-Lac, Le Poët.