With its panoramic view of the Durance plain, Lurs lies on a spur between sky and earth, surrounded by olive trees. Legend has it that the village was founded when Charlemagne gave the land to the bishops of Sisteron.
From the 12th century onwards the bishops made Lurs their preferred place of residence, and the village houses gradually accumulated around the bishops' castrum. Lurs conserves many signs of this religious past, from the château ruins to the bishops' walk lined with 15 oratories leading to the small chapel of Notre Dame de Vie, erected in 1844.
To the North, the Petit Séminaire is a looming quadrangular building right next to a charming open air theatre. The church is mentioned in records from the 11th century, and in its present form apparently dates back to the 16th century. The clock belfry is crowned by a wrought iron campanile. As you stroll through the streets, you will see windows with carved lintels and mullions.
Ever since 1954 Lurs has hosted the "Rencontres internationales de Lure" an event devoted to the graphic arts initiated in 1954 by the great hand compositor and artist Maximilien Vox.