The explorer and author, Alexandra David-Néel was the first European to enter the town of Lhassa in 1924. She wrote a number of books about her travels (Travels of a Parisian to Lhassa) and Buddhism (she contributed to its introduction into France). She came to Digne to live in 1927 and died there at the age of 101. She left her house, all her manuscripts and collection of Asiatic art to the town of Digne.