Banon brings together village history, culture and cheese, with activities spread across different times of the year. The old village stands on a high promontory, protected behind its fortified walls. The main pedestrian entrance is through a gate with machicolations dating from the 14th century; the former feudal gate was listed by decree on 26 October 1927. The Notre-Dame-des-Anges chapel offers an older historical landmark: it dates back to at least the 13th century and can be reached on foot via a good path. The gate and chapel provide two specific historical points of interest for a visit, while the elevated setting defines the character of the old village.
Culture at the Église-Haute and Le Bleuet
Since 2005, the deconsecrated Église-Haute has hosted art exhibitions, theatre performances and concerts from April to October. As part of the cultural programme, more than 20,000 visitors enjoy the Église-Haute’s distinctive acoustics each year. If you choose Banon for its cultural offerings, you can plan your trip around this period. Before booking, it is advisable to check the specific event date—especially if a performance or concert is the reason for your trip.
Le Bleuet also offers a range of cultural experiences: its cultural centre hosts more than 60 cultural events per year. At the Le Bleuet bookshop, you can discover 120,000 books spread across four floors. This gives you a choice between events and an extensive book selection: you can plan your stay around cultural events or choose Banon as a destination with a distinctive literary offering.
Cheese, tastings and recurring events
The Fête du Fromage takes place every year on the third Sunday in May and has been held in Banon since 1993. If the festival is the reason for your trip, plan your stay around the May date and check the specific date before booking. The Fromagerie de Banon has been operating since 1958 and produces “Banon” cheese with protected designation of origin, as well as a wide selection of fresh and matured goat’s cheeses. The Chocolaterie de Banon offers a free, guided tasting all year round. This gives you a choice between an annual festival date and a tasting that is not limited to a particular season, offering different ways to plan your trip.
Cycling and getting there
September also has a regular event date: the Rando VTT du Fromage takes place on the last Sunday in September. It offers routes for families, beginners, experienced riders and elite mountain bikers. If mountain biking is the main reason for your trip, you can plan your stay around this recurring date. The event offers a distinct focus alongside the cultural and cheese-related activities.
Banon can be reached from Forcalquier via the D950 and from Manosque via the D5 and D105. The reasons to visit fall at different times of year: cultural activities at the Église-Haute run from April to October, the Fête du Fromage and Rando VTT take place on recurring Sundays in May and September, and tastings are available all year round.
Discover more destinations: Châteauneuf-Miravail, Revest-des-Brousses, Rougon, Forcalquier, Senez, Simiane-La-Rotonde, Saint-Vincent-Les-Forts, Villars-Colmars.
See the main travel guide: Alpes-De-Haute-Provence.
