Colmars (; ) or Colmars-les-Alpes () is a
commune in the
Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
Alpes-de-Haute-Provence (sometimes abbreviated as AHP; ; ; ), formerly until 1970 known as Basses-Alpes (, ), is a department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France, bordering Alpes-Maritimes and Italy to the east, Var to the sou ...
department in southeastern
France
France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...
.
The official name of the commune, according to the geographical code of the INSEE, is "Colmars",
Commune de Colmars (04061)
INSEE. but it is always referred locally as "Colmars-les-Alpes", even though it is not recognised in legal situations. The signs on entering the village read "Colmars-les-Alpes".
Geography
The village is situated at the confluence of the rivers Verdon and Lance, at an altitude of 1250 metres. The site of the village is a ''site inscrit'', a site of special natural, scientific or historical interest.
Hamlets
There are two other hamlets in the commune: Clignon-Haut and Clignon-Bas.
Population
The inhabitants are called ''Colmarsiens''.
Geography
Mountains and peaks
There are numerous high points in the commune. The main ones are:
* Tête de l'Encombrette (2682m)
* Autapie (2426m)
* Roche Cline
* Valpane
History
The name of the village comes from a hill dedicated to Mars by the Romans ("Collo Marto"). The village was originally situated further up a hill, but the site was judged to be too cramped and not possible to expand any further, so it was abandoned. It was destroyed by Raymond de Turenne in 1390.
Modern era
In the French Wars of Religion, the site was the target of several attacks:
* Paulon de Mauvans, a Protestant captain, pillaged the village in 1560;
* Cartier, a captain operating on behalf of de Mauvans, took and ransomed the village in 1583;
* The French Catholic League sacked the village a few years later.
Gallery
File:Colmars 01.jpg
File:Colmars 02.jpg
File:Colmars 03.jpg
See also
* Verdon River
* Col d'Allos
Col d'Allos (elevation ) is a high mountain pass in the Alps in the department of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence in France. It connects Barcelonnette in the Ubaye Valley and Colmars.
It lies parallel to the Col de la Cayolle and Col de la Bonette west o ...
* Communes of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department
References
External links
Webpage about the fortifications
Communes of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
Alpes-de-Haute-Provence communes articles needing translation from French Wikipedia
{{AlpesHauteProvence-geo-stub