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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.
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