Salagon Priory
Located in the heart of Mane, Salagon is an exceptional museum and garden site where heritage, nature, and culture come together harmoniously. Designated an Ethnopôle (national ethnology research center), Musée de France (Museum of France), and Jardin Remarquable (Remarkable Garden), this unique historic monument invites you on a historical and botanical journey.
The museum is housed in a former Benedictine priory on a site spanning over 2,000 years of history. This historic monument comprises a Romanesque church and a Renaissance priory. The site features archaeological remains and remarkable architecture dating from the 12th and 16th centuries. The ethnological exhibitions create a dialogue between the history and recent developments of Haute-Provence. The church features striking red stained glass windows created by artist Aurélie Nemours, which illuminate both the building and the artistic exhibitions held there.
Salagon is also a certified Musée Joyeux (Joyful Museum, Môm’Art), reflecting its commitment to welcoming young visitors with age-appropriate and enriching activities for children and families. Throughout the year, the museum offers a rich and varied program: concerts, temporary exhibitions, conferences, and workshops for all audiences during each school holiday. Wednesday visits are particularly popular, featuring guided themed tours at 10:30am. Don’t miss the orienteering course in the gardens, accessible year-round, and the activity booklet “Garance, the Time Traveler!” for ages 8-13, which offers a fun and educational exploration of the monuments. Also don’t miss Les Nocturnes de Salagon (Salagon Late Nights), with the site open on Tuesdays and Thursdays until 10pm from mid-July to mid-August, to enjoy the gardens in the cool summer evenings.
Above all, Salagon is a remarkable natural treasure. Its ethnobotanical gardens offer a sensory stroll that combines pleasure and knowledge. Unique in France, they tell the story of the rich relationships between humans and plants through different themes: the medieval garden, the uses of medicinal and traditional plants of Haute-Provence, and the geographical and historical origins of everyday plants. The scent garden offers a sensory walk through beds dedicated to aromatic and perfume plants.
Salagon unfolds throughout all four seasons:
Winter: Season opens in February with the unveiling of the year’s exhibitions, followed by the first event: the Easter egg hunt during Easter celebrations
Spring: European Museum Night, an unmissable event featuring conferences, workshops, guided tours, performances, illuminations…
Summer: In June, the season begins with Rendez-vous aux Jardins, celebrating the gardens’ renewal with the introduction of exotic plants in the Modern Times Garden
Autumn: After the European Heritage Days, Salagon presents its major family event Les Automnales (Autumn Days), to savor the gentle beginning of fall.
Don’t miss the opportunity to experience an unforgettable visit to Salagon, where each visit is an invitation to wonder and discovery.
rates & opening hours
Visit the Priory website :
Préparez votre venue au prieuré
salagon priory
Le Prieuré
04300 Mane
Tel. : 04 92 75 70 50
the priory history
In 1953, Father Pierre Martel, parish priest of Mane, founded the Alpes de Lumière association. Its mission: to study, preserve, and promote the built, natural, and cultural heritage of Haute-Provence, including local architectural, domestic, and artisanal know-how.
Under the leadership of Pierre Martel and the association, a cultural project took shape for Salagon's future. In 1981, the commune of Mane set the project in motion by purchasing the site from its last owner. Alpes de Lumière opened to the public a Conservatory of Ethnological Heritage of Haute-Provence, which foreshadowed today's museum.
That same year, the Salagon site was entirely classified as a historic monument.
The Department of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence acquired the Salagon site. Together with the commune, the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region, and the Ministry of Culture, the Department began rehabilitating the site. Guy Barruol, archaeologist, directed the restoration of the buildings. The Salagon museum and ethnobotanical gardens were created, inspired by Pierre Lieutaghi's inventory of medicinal plants.
In 1996, Salagon received the Ethnopôle designation from the Ministry of Culture for the quality of research conducted there, thus becoming a national research and resource center for ethnology.
In January 2000, ownership of the entire site transferred to the Department of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. This enabled the museum's gradual professionalization, leading to the Musée de France designation in 2002.
témoignages
“En Haute-Provence, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie est un trésor caché. Ce village enchanteur, avec ses ruelles pavées et sa célèbre faïence, m’a offert une expérience inoubliable. Un véritable joyau où tradition et beauté se rencontrent.”
“En Haute-Provence, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie est un trésor caché. Ce village enchanteur, avec ses ruelles pavées et sa célèbre faïence, m’a offert une expérience inoubliable. Un véritable joyau où tradition et beauté se rencontrent.”
“En Haute-Provence, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie est un trésor caché. Ce village enchanteur, avec ses ruelles pavées et sa célèbre faïence, m’a offert une expérience inoubliable. Un véritable joyau où tradition et beauté se rencontrent.”
Haute-Provence’s Heritage
Uncover the soul of Authentic Haute-Provence through journeys that reveal its landscapes and the stories of those who have shaped this remarkable territory.
Here, time seems to pause, inviting you to wander, savor, and explore the hidden layers of a land steeped in history and tradition.
Family Adventures
in Haute-Provence
Get ready for a vacation filled with discovery and excitement for all ages!
Our vast territory offers endless possibilities. Whether your children love exploring historical sites, seeking thrilling experiences, or simply having fun, Authentic Haute-Provence promises unforgettable moments for every family.