Manosque (French pronunciation: [manɔsk]; 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 is the smaller town of Digne-les-Bains. Manosque is located at the far eastern end of the Luberon near the Durance river.

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Quick Facts Country, Region ...

Manosque
Commune
Manosque seen from the Mont d'Or
Coat of arms
Location of Manosque
Manosque Show map of France Manosque Show map of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Coordinates: 43°50′03″N 5°47′02″E
Country	France
Region	Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Department	Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
Arrondissement	Forcalquier
Canton	Manosque-1, 2 and 3
Intercommunality	Durance-Luberon-Verdon Agglomération
Government
• Mayor (2020–2026)	Camille Galtier[1]
Area 1	56.73 km2 (21.90 sq mi)
Population  (2021)[2]	22,926
• Density	400/km2 (1,000/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+01:00 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+02:00 (CEST)
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.

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Manosque has existed since before 966 when it is first mentioned historically.^{[citation needed]} Commerce thrived in the town in the 13th century leading the population to increase to 10,000 inhabitants.^{[citation needed]} It was at this time that the city walls were constructed. They 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.^{[citation needed]} Between 1950 and 1970, the town had a huge increase in population along with other areas south of the Luberon. A threefold increase in inhabitants occurred.

• Economy
  • Olivier Baussan, founder of L’Occitane and Oliviers & Co.
• Science
  • Félix Esclangon (1905-1956), physicist, born and buried in Manosque.
• Medicine
  • Fava of Manosque was a Jewish physician and surgeon in the early 14th century (c. 1321).
  • 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^[5] 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 cemetery.
  • 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 on the archives of the Papon case.
• Politicians
  • François Joseph de Pochet (1729-1794), born in Manosque, deputy to the Estates General of 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.
• Artists
  • The English painter Ralph Rumney spent the last years of his life in Manosque.
• Musicians
  • The composer Adolphe Blanc was born in Manosque on the 24 June 1828.^[6]
  • The jazz musician Olivier Gatto born in Manosque en 1963.
  • The French rock guitarist, singer, and movie soundtrack artist - Stéphane Honde (aka Steph Honde) : "Rock You Like a Hurricane" in collaboration with Micki Milosevic under the band name "Unprotected Innocence",Sony Music Entertainment in the movie HellBoy, released by Lionsgate, April 2019.
  • The French rock group Café Bertrand.
  • The bass-baritone Vincent le Texier.
• Sports
  • The athlete Salvatore Alario, junior French high jump champion in the 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 was born in Manosque in 1951
  • The professional racing cyclist Julien El Farès, born in Manosque in 1985.
  • The racing cyclist Édouard Fachleitner (1921-2008), nicknamed "le berger de Manosque" (the shepherd of Manosque), second in the Tour de France 1947.
  • The middle-distance runner (800 metres) Florent Lacasse.
  • The flyweight boxer Karim Guerfi, junior world champion, champion of France, champion of Europe (2013).

Manosque is twinned with:^[7]

• Leinfelden-Echterdingen, Germany
• Voghera, Italy

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