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| CULTURAL DISCOVERIES |
| Remarkable Villages |
DAUPHIN |
 Dauphin
is a typical Provençal village, perched on a hill overlooking
the plain watered by the Laye and Largue rivers.
The view to the east opens onto the lazy curves of the Luberon.
At its feet lies fertile agricultural land once cultivated by
the Romans and crossed by the Domitian Way, now dotted with
fine stone-built farmhouses, such as the fortified farmhouse
of Encontres. To the north, the twin village of Saint Maime
is so close it used to be said both villages could dance to
the same tambourine.
This promontory was only inhabited from the Middle Ages onwards.
All that remains from that period is some remnants of the village
walls, Agout château, and some doors. At the top of the
village, from where you can see the white domes of the Saint
Michel astronomical observatory, stands Saint Martin's church
(15th – 16th centuries) with its delicate bell-tower spire.
Every winter this church presents the oldest crib in Haute-Provence
(1748).
Other surprises include steeply sloping alleys, including one
dated 1621, covered passageways and façades from the
17th and 18th centuries. Apart from the farming community, Dauphin
is also home to many artisans who sell their high quality products
to visitors. |
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