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.

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. 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. 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.

Population

Historical population

Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1793 4,726 —     1800 5,360 +1.81% 1806 5,570 +0.64% 1821 5,544 −0.03% 1831 5,543 −0.00% 1836 4,995 −2.06% 1841 5,311 +1.23% 1846 5,684 +1.37% 1851 5,073 −2.25% 1856 5,897 +3.06% 1861 5,936 +0.13% 1866 5,919 −0.06% 1872 6,124 +0.57% 1876 6,136 +0.05% 1881 5,775 −1.21% 1886 5,450 −1.15% 1891 5,572 +0.44% 1896 5,265 −1.13% 1901 5,098 −0.64%	Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1906 5,017 −0.32% 1911 4,853 −0.66% 1921 5,036 +0.37% 1926 4,989 −0.19% 1931 5,661 +2.56% 1936 5,635 −0.09% 1946 6,734 +1.80% 1954 7,750 +1.77% 1962 10,080 +3.34% 1968 16,281 +8.32% 1975 19,150 +2.35% 1982 18,760 −0.29% 1990 19,107 +0.23% 1999 19,603 +0.29% 2006 21,162 +1.10% 2011 22,316 +1.07% 2017 22,333 +0.01% 2019 22,528 +0.44%
Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org.
Source: EHESS and INSEE (1968-2017)

Personalities

• 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 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.
  • 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).

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