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Castellane

Castellane
Castellane and Le Roc from above
Castellane and Le Roc from above
Coat of arms of Castellane
Coat of arms
Castellane is located in France
Castellane
Castellane
Coordinates: 43°50′51″N 6°30′50″E / 43.8475°N 6.5139°E / 43.8475; 6.5139Coordinates: 43°50′51″N 6°30′50″E / 43.8475°N 6.5139°E / 43.8475; 6.5139
Country France
Region Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Department Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
Arrondissement Castellane
Canton Castellane
Intercommunality Moyen Verdon
Government
 • Mayor (2008–2014) Gilbert Sauvan
Area1 117.79 km2 (45.48 sq mi)
Population (2008)2 1,579
 • Density 13/km2 (35/sq mi)
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
INSEE/Postal code 04039 / 04120
Elevation 639–1,761 m (2,096–5,778 ft)
(avg. 724 m or 2,375 ft)

1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

2Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Castellane (French pronunciation: ​[kastɛlan]; Provençal: Castelana) is a commune in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in southeastern France. With about 1,600 inhabitants, Castellane has the distinction of being the least-populated sub-prefecture of France.

Its inhabitants are referred to as Castellanais.

Castellane is a very old city located upstream of the Gorges du Verdon. The city is 724 metres (2,375 feet) above sea level.

The Roc, or the Roc of Notre-Dame, overlooks the city from 184 m (604 ft) above. It has been occupied since the High Middle Ages and is a registered historical site. It can be accessed from the centre of town behind the old Church of St. Andrew. The walk takes about 25 minutes.

Two reservoirs are located in the territory of Castellane:

The area has two water gaps:

The GR 4 hiking trail crosses through the town. The neighboring municipalities are:

The commune is part of the Jurassic limestone area of the French Prealps in Provence, formed by the tectonic upheaval of the Alps during the Tertiary. Limestone deposits run the length of the Verdon river, giving rise to spectacular gorges formed through karst erosion. Around Castellane older formations surface, such as gypsum and Triassic black marl.


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