In the Middle Ages, the county of Forcalquier stretched all along the Durance, from Cavaillon to La Roche-de-Rame, close to Embrun.
From the 12th to the 19th century, the river was used for floating timber downstream, in particular by the monks of Boscodon, who were given the privilege in 1191 to use the river.)
The timber was used in the towns of the southern plains and in the shipyards.

Other goods were transported by the river, including salt, those these were subject to ten tolls along the 300 kilometres (190 mi) of the river.

The bridge of Sisteron, erected in the Middle Ages remained until the middle of the 19th century, the only crossing between two firm banks along the Durance.
After the year 1000, the number of ferries increased, including some Cable ferries plied between the two banks of the main channel.
The oldest known one was the one between La Roque-d'Anthéron and Cadenet (in Gontard), recorded in 1037.
 This ferry at Cadenet and one at Mirabeau were used to transport flocks of sheep for seasonal migrations.
Thereafter, there is evidence of ferries at many other places notably Rognonas, La Brillanne (13th century), Noves, Orgon, Le Puy-Sainte-Réparade, Meyrargues, Pertuis, Peyrolles, that of Cante-Perdrix in Mirabeau, Manosque, Giropey, Château-Arnoux, Le Bourguet, Volonne, Bompas.
Other ferries were established to supply the windmills built at the end of the 18th century in Poët, Upaix and Claret.
Nevertheless, the ferry services were scarcer than on the Rhône with a ferry every 9 to 11 kilometres (5.6 to 6.8 mi) on average, versus every 5.2 kilometres (3.2 mi) on the Rhône.
Starting from the 12th century, wood bridges were also built.
They lasted varying times until they were destroyed in various ways:
at Maupas (now Pont de Bonpas at Caumont), at the end of the 12th century until its destruction by the Count of Toulouse in 1241;
at Mirabeau, the beginning of the 13th century, close to Sainte-Madeleine-du-Pont;
at Savines, the most used bridge on the Upper Durance (built in the 15th century)
the ancient bridge of Sisteron which was rebuilt in 1365.
In the Middle Ages, the county of Forcalquier stretched all along the Durance, from Cavaillon to La Roche-de-Rame, close to Embrun. From the 12th to the 19th century, the river was used for floating timber downstream, in particular by the monks of Boscodon, who were given the privilege in 1191 to use the river.) The timber was used in the towns of the southern plains and in the shipyards.
Other goods were transported by the river, including salt, those these were subject to ten tolls along the 300 kilometres (190 mi) of the river.
The bridge of Sisteron, erected in the Middle Ages remained until the middle of the 19th century, the only crossing between two firm banks along the Durance. After the year 1000, the number of ferries increased, including some Cable ferries plied between the two banks of the main channel. The oldest known one was the one between La Roque-d'Anthéron and Cadenet (in Gontard), recorded in 1037.  This ferry at Cadenet and one at Mirabeau were used to transport flocks of sheep for seasonal migrations. Thereafter, there is evidence of ferries at many other places notably Rognonas, La Brillanne (13th century), Noves, Orgon, Le Puy-Sainte-Réparade, Meyrargues, Pertuis, Peyrolles, that of Cante-Perdrix in Mirabeau, Manosque, Giropey, Château-Arnoux, Le Bourguet, Volonne, Bompas. Other ferries were established to supply the windmills built at the end of the 18th century in Poët, Upaix and Claret. Nevertheless, the ferry services were scarcer than on the Rhône with a ferry every 9 to 11 kilometres (5.6 to 6.8 mi) on average, versus every 5.2 kilometres (3.2 mi) on the Rhône. Starting from the 12th century, wood bridges were also built. They lasted varying times until they were destroyed in various ways:
at Maupas (now Pont de Bonpas at Caumont), at the end of the 12th century until its destruction by the Count of Toulouse in 1241;
at Mirabeau, the beginning of the 13th century, close to Sainte-Madeleine-du-Pont;
at Savines, the most used bridge on the Upper Durance (built in the 15th century)
the ancient bridge of Sisteron which was rebuilt in 1365.
Durance