À la découverte du Parcours des étoiles de Saint-Vincent
So what are these mysterious ceramic stars that guide you to the old center of Digne from Place du Général de Gaulle? It's up to you to find them and follow them for a family treasure hunt! Course to download.
Why a five-pointed star?
This emblematic star represents a marine animal, called pentacrine or sea lily, which populated the Dignois seabed 180 million years ago. Pentacrines were first buried in layers of silt, then petrified and brought to the surface during the uplift of the earth's crust during the formation of the Alps. The Digne Les Bains region is particularly well stocked with them.
It was while going to observe the sky on St Vincent Hill that the famous astronomer and philosopher of the 17th century, Pierre Gassendi, made the discovery, hence the name St Vincent's star. Over the years, it will become a good luck charm, a talisman which protects against curses and evils. Shepherds placed them in the walls or under the roofs of sheepfolds to protect themselves, particularly from lightning. From this little star legends will be born.
But it was in the 1850th century that this small fossil, a few millimeters in diameter, became famous thanks to a Dignois goldsmith Antoine Colomb. In fact, he had the idea in XNUMX of transforming this small black stone into jewelry. This piece of jewelry that quickly became fashionable will embellish family events: weddings, births, baptisms, etc. in the form of necklaces, brooches, earrings, cufflinks, tie pins, etc.
The star will then represent the city and its region and will have as famous ambassadors the poet Paul Arène (an entire poem is dedicated to him) or Jean Giono in his film “L'eau vive”.
Today you can discover its history at the Gassendi museum and purchase a piece of jewelry made by jeweler Norbert Mille.
Today she will guide you to discover the medieval part of the town of Digne Les Bains. You will follow 22 stars which, thanks to their red branches, will indicate the direction to take.
This emblematic star represents a marine animal, called pentacrine or sea lily, which populated the Dignois seabed 180 million years ago. Pentacrines were first buried in layers of silt, then petrified and brought to the surface during the uplift of the earth's crust during the formation of the Alps. The Digne Les Bains region is particularly well stocked with them.
It was while going to observe the sky on St Vincent Hill that the famous astronomer and philosopher of the 17th century, Pierre Gassendi, made the discovery, hence the name St Vincent's star. Over the years, it will become a good luck charm, a talisman which protects against curses and evils. Shepherds placed them in the walls or under the roofs of sheepfolds to protect themselves, particularly from lightning. From this little star legends will be born.
But it was in the 1850th century that this small fossil, a few millimeters in diameter, became famous thanks to a Dignois goldsmith Antoine Colomb. In fact, he had the idea in XNUMX of transforming this small black stone into jewelry. This piece of jewelry that quickly became fashionable will embellish family events: weddings, births, baptisms, etc. in the form of necklaces, brooches, earrings, cufflinks, tie pins, etc.
The star will then represent the city and its region and will have as famous ambassadors the poet Paul Arène (an entire poem is dedicated to him) or Jean Giono in his film “L'eau vive”.
Today you can discover its history at the Gassendi museum and purchase a piece of jewelry made by jeweler Norbert Mille.
Today she will guide you to discover the medieval part of the town of Digne Les Bains. You will follow 22 stars which, thanks to their red branches, will indicate the direction to take.
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