Seyne-les-Alpes is the main town in the Blanche valley, surrounded by verdant fertile land that the first tourists at the end of the 19th century called "a piece of Switzerland lost in Provence".
In 1388 this Alpine village found itself on the frontier between Provence and the Savoy States. In medieval times it was called Seyne la Grande Tour. In 1690 new ramparts were added to the fortifications, and Vauban modernised its citadel at the end of the 17th and beginning of the 18th century.
Due to its proximity to the Dauphiné, Seyne-les-Alpes was influenced by the Reformist movement from 1560 onwards, and became a Protestant stronghold in the same way as Mérindol. But at the end of the 16th century, the Catholic Lesdiguières invaded the region with his army, forcing all Huguenots either to flee or convert. The Catholic religion then reconquered this territory in no uncertain manner. In the Dominicans' Chapel, a 17th century canvas shows a procession of penitents probably symbolising the Catholics' seizure of the Protestant temple. This village has a very rich religious heritage : Church of Notre Dame de Nazareth, Church of the Dominicans, etc.
However Seyne-les-Alpes is also renowned for its mules. Farmers in this region specialised in breeding these animals from the 18th century to the 1930s, exporting them as far as Spain. The village is also not far from three ski resorts and Serre-Ponçon lake, and is classified as "a green holiday resort and winter sports village".

8, Grand Rue
04140 SEYNE-LES-ALPES

Tel : 0492351100 - Fax : 0492352884
Email : info@valleedelablanche.com
web site: www.valleedelablanche.com