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.Official website for the 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.Google Maps
The commune is served by routes 9 and 14 of the Libébus network.La Barben on the Libébus website
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 (1382-1387) 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.Geneviève Xhayet, Supporters and adversaries of Louis d'Anjou during the war of the Union of Aix , Historical Provence, Fédération historique de Provence, Vol. 40, No. 162, "Autour de la guerre de l'Union d'Aix", 1990, p. 407 and 413 (note 61).
Heraldry
Administration
List of Successive MayorsList of Mayors of France From To Name 1995 2006 Alain Ruault 2006 2008 Jean-Luc Vasserot-Merle 2008 2020 Christophe Amalric 2020 2026 Franck Santos
Demography The inhabitants of the commune are known as Barbenais or Barbenaises in French.Le nom des habitants du 13 - Bouches-du-Rhône, habitants.fr
Culture and heritage
Civil heritage The commune has many buildings and sites that are registered as historical monuments: A Laundry at La Blancherie (18th century)Ministry of Culture, Mérimée A Chateau Garden on the D22 (17th century)Ministry of Culture, Mérimée A Bridge over the Canal de Marseille on RN572 (19th century)Ministry of Culture, Mérimée A MontjoieA Stone or pile of stones used to mark a migratory trail, a pilgrimage route, the limit of a territory, or to commemorate a battle at La BaouMinistry of Culture, Mérimée The fortified Chateau de la Barben (11th century)Ministry of Culture, Mérimée A Farmhouse at La Baou (18th century)Ministry of Culture, Mérimée The Clos Farmhouse at Sufferchoix (15th century)Ministry of Culture, Mérimée A Farmhouse at Val d'Estable (18th century)Ministry of Culture, Mérimée
Other sites of interest The La Barben Zoo
Zoo Picture Gallery
Religious heritage The commune has several religious buildings and structures that are registered as historical monuments: The Parish Church of Saint-SauveurMinistry of Culture, Mérimée The Church contains several items that are registered as historical objects: 2 Chairs (19th century)Ministry of Culture, Palissy A Statue: Virgin and child (18th century)Ministry of Culture, Palissy A framed Painting: the Transfiguration (1632)Ministry of Culture, Palissy A Painting: Saint Jerome (17th century)Ministry of Culture, Palissy The Benedictine Church of Saint-Sauveur (11th century)Ministry of Culture, Mérimée The Benedictine Convent of Saint-Victor-de-Danes at Le Mounestier (12th century)Ministry of Culture, Mérimée A Monumental Cross at Val d'Estable (17th century)Ministry of Culture, Mérimée A Monumental Cross at La Beaumé de Matelas (19th century)Ministry of Culture, Mérimée
Notable people linked to the commune Count Auguste de Forbin (1777-1841), painter, pupil of Jacques-Louis David, Director of the Louvre Museum.
See also Communes of the Bouches-du-Rhône department
References
Notes
External links La Barben on the old National Geographic Institute website Regional Directorate of the Environment (DIREN) website La Barben on Géoportail, National Geographic Institute (IGN) website La Barben on the 1750 Cassini Map