La Barben


La Barben is a commune in the Bouches-du-Rhône department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southern France.
The town is perhaps best known for its castle and its zoo.

Geography

La Barben is located about 18 km northwest of Aix-en-Provence and 5 km east of Salon-de-Provence. Access to the commune is by the D572 road from Salon-de-Provence, which passes through the centre of the commune and continues east to Saint-Cannat. The D17 from Pélissanne to Éguilles forms the southwestern border of the commune. The D67E from Lambesc to Coudoux forms the southeastern border of the commune. The D22A comes from Pelissane and passes through the village, continuing as the D22 to join the D572 in the centre of the commune next to the zoo.
The commune is served by routes 9 and 14 of the Libébus network.
The Touloubre river flows through the centre of the commune from the east and continues west to join the Mediterranean Sea south of Saint-Chamas. The Vallat de Boulery forms the northern border of the commune as it flows west to join the Touloubre at the village. The Canal de Marseille comes from the south and passes through the centre of the commune continuing north-east.

Climate

'''Weather Data for La Barben'''

Neighbouring communes and villages

Source:

History

Middle Ages

The death of Queen Joanna I of Naples created a succession crisis for the County of Provence with the cities of the Union of Aix supporting Charles III of Naples against Louis I, Duke of Anjou. The King of France, Charles VI, intervened and sent the Seneschal of Beaucaire, Enguerrand d'Eudin, who conquered La Barben in the summer of 1383. When Louis I died and his widow, Marie of Blois, Duchess of Anjou, arrived in Provence to defend the rights of her son, Louis II of Naples, she claimed that the seneschal gave her the city which she refused on the instruction of the King of France.

Heraldry

Administration

List of Successive Mayors
FromToName
19952006Alain Ruault
20062008Jean-Luc Vasserot-Merle
20082020Christophe Amalric
20202026Franck Santos

Demography

The inhabitants of the commune are known as Barbenais or Barbenaises in French.

Culture and heritage

Civil heritage

The commune has many buildings and sites that are registered as historical monuments:
  • A Laundry at La Blancherie
  • A Chateau Garden on the D22
  • A Bridge over the Canal de Marseille on RN572
  • A Montjoie at La Baou
  • The fortified Chateau de la Barben
  • A Farmhouse at La Baou
  • The Clos Farmhouse at Sufferchoix
  • A Farmhouse at Val d'Estable
;Other sites of interest
  • The
;Zoo Picture Gallery

Religious heritage

The commune has several religious buildings and structures that are registered as historical monuments:
  • The Parish Church of Saint-Sauveur The Church contains several items that are registered as historical objects:
  • *2 Chairs
  • *A Statue: Virgin and child
  • *A framed Painting: the Transfiguration
  • *A Painting: Saint Jerome
  • The Benedictine Church of Saint-Sauveur
  • The Benedictine Convent of Saint-Victor-de-Danes at Le Mounestier
  • A Monumental Cross at Val d'Estable
  • A Monumental Cross at La Beaumé de Matelas

    Notable people linked to the commune

  • Count Auguste de Forbin, painter, pupil of Jacques-Louis David, Director of the Louvre Museum.