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This work results of an historical study of the “haute Provence” country (between the french Alps and the Mediterranean sea), between the end of the 17e and the half of the 20e centuries. It concerns piemont spaces, which are rarely specified by human geography. Piemont spaces are defined as intermediate spaces between a mountain and an other country which is different, in such a way that piemont spaces play as relays, particularly for commercial exchanges. The modernity allows easiness communications, so that montains and the others spaces are directly connected during the 19e-20e centuries, in such a way that the piemont’s functions are removed. The rural industry also remove when imported products are betters and cheapers than local ones. Because of the mixture of climatic influences of surrounding countries, the inside diversity of piemont countries allows a wide range of productions, but this diversity is a brake for specialization. The strong caracteristics of piemont spaces disappear when exchanges increase in an more and more open word.