Guillestre

Guillestre is a commune with 2332 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2011) in the French Alps in the department of Hautes -Alpes.

Guillestre located on a 1000 meter high plateau above the gorge of the river Guil, which flows a few miles below the Durance. It is located on the Route des Grandes Alpes and is the starting point for trips to the Alpine passes Col de Vars, Col d'Izoard and the Col Agnel.

Mayor Bernard Leterrier; his term ends in 2014. He succeeds Jallut Armand, who had held the office from 2001 until March 2008. Guillestre lives as a center for the surrounding holiday resorts mainly in the summer and winter tourism.

History

Guillestre was first mentioned as a possession of the bishops of Embrun documented in the 12th century. During the Wars of Religion Guillestre was taken on September 5, 1587 by the Protestant military leader François de Bonne de Lesdiguières. On July 30, 1692 Victor Amadeus II of Savoy conquered the city after a three-day siege.

Attractions

The Chapel of Saint -Guillaume was built in the 11th century. The Tour d' Eygliers is part of the medieval city fortifications. The town of Notre- Dame d' Aquilon was built in the first half of the 16th century.