 L'ESCALEESCALO in Provençal is the anchoring place/place of call for the boats which sailed on the Durance river and put into port to spend the night there.Dominated by the Ruth mountain on the east, the Escale spreads over a lovely plain, along the left bank of the Durance river and on the side of the Château-Arnoux lake.
Considered as an important river port in the Gallo-Roman period, when the Durance river was still navigable, the village expanded in the Middle Ages on hillsides of Vière and Mandanoïs (the latter is known today as the "Hamlet of The Landlord" ("Hameau de l'Hôte").
In the 16th century, the Escalais people began to left the Vière hillside to found around the former Notre-Dame de Mandanoïs' church, which became their parish church, several litte hamlets whose names generally derived from surnames.
Nowadays, this village is appreciated for its peacefulness and its different views with wonderful panoramas over the valley.
You can also visit Notre-Dame de Mandanoïs' parish church which was rebuilt in 1854 and perfectly reflects the religious art of the 19th century.
Further, the Coulayès area and the Vière ruins are the starting point for many nice hiking and mountain hiking trails...
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Population
1,166 inhabitants |
The inhabitants are called
the Escalais people |
Number of children attending school
137 |
The village was born in the 10th century but the Bourquet area was arleady an important river port under the Romans' domination |
Surface area
5,028 acres |
Patron saint
St Consorce |
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Heigh
1,558 feet
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Mayor
Mr Claude FIAERT |
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