The "Château de Grimaud" (Castle) : Listed monument dating back to the 11th century.click here photos

The late 13th century fortified walls encircled part of the village and castle. Reworked in the 15th century, the castle was then destroyed during the Religious Wars. Rebuilt in the17th century, it was abandoned after the French Revolution.

Comprising a main building flagged by four circular towers, whose ruins reveal the three inner floors, this highly-fortified castle was protected by three walls, the largest of which was seven metres high. Today, just one more-or-less intact vaulted room remains. From the castle unbeatable panorama over the village, across the plain to Port Grimaud and the Bay of Saint-Tropez.

Windmills : click here photos

The " moulin de Grimaud" (Windmill) : Unbeatable view over the Maures hills and the coastline.

The Saint-Roch Windmill : Built in the 17th century, the flour mill was formerly called the "Moulin de la Gardiole". It was fully restored and returned to full working order in 1990 by the architect Hubert Lemonier and the "Compagnons du Tour de France". Access : from the castle car park.

The "Moulin à huile de l'Hôpital" : Built in the 17th century, this was the village's largest oil mill. Its remains can now be seen at the "Musée des Arts et Traditions Populaires" (folk museum).

Folk museum : the building was originally an ancient olive oil mill and cork manufacture. Discover on three levels the history of the village and its region through every-day-life objects and a reconstitution of a late 19th century village apartment.
Temporary exhibitions. Monday to Saturday (Sundays during school holidays). May to September from 2.30 pm to 6.00 pm and from October to April from 2.00 pm to 5.30 pm. Admisssion free.directory

"La maison dite des Templiers" : Characterized by its three Gothic arcades (declared listed monuments in 1926). The repairs made to the building have not spoiled its 16th century Renaissance style. The façade and cellar are also listed monuments. The inner staircase twists around a column bearing two coats of arms carved in two different types of stone. Don't forget to take a look at the tiled windows.

Church & Chapels : click here

The Church Saint-François at Port-Grimaud : You can climb to the top of the church to enjoy fine views over the waterside village, the Bay of Saint-Tropez and the Maures Hills.

The "Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs". Also called "Notre Dame des Sept Douleurs" (1482). Houses the shrines of Saint Théodore and Saint-Lambert. A vault has been annexed as the burial place for the Penitent brothers. On the left-hand side, a 16th century inscription written in Provençal dialect and only deciphered in 1966 bears the words: "Monseigneur de Fréjus granted 40 days of forgiveness".

The "Chapelle Saint Roch" : (17th century). The style of the façade was changed in the late 19th century. Large collection of ex-votos.

The Church of Saint-Michel : (late 12th - early 13th centuries). Restored in 1964, the austerity and Medieval style of the chapel's central nave have now been restored. The inside of the chapel is shaped like a Latin cross. In the side chapel, the 12th century Carrara marble font bearing the inscription "Presbit Monachus de Grimaldi", is said to have been offered by King René. The stained-glass windows are by Jacques Gautier (1975). Square bell tower, topped by an arrow and a lightning conductor (lightning has already fallen here twice...). Today's bell dates back to 1866.

The "Chapelle Notre Dame de la Queste" : Quartier Bagatin. Place of pilgrimage in August, this chapel, first mentioned in an early 11th-century charter, is home to a fine Louis XVI altar. The gold-leafed altarpiece and articulated statue of the Virgin have now been relocated to the parish church. The stolen statue was found in a well in 1900 - horses, donkeys and mules were traditionally blessed at the site on August 16th.

Port-Grimaud, a waterside village : which emerged from the marshes in 1966. Port-Grimaud is a genuine architectural tour de force, signed by the famous 20th century architect François Spoerry. This Neo-Provençal style complex, ...click here photos

...with its Mediterranean atmosphere, stretches over 220 acres and includes about 2 000 houses.

Visitors must leave their car at one of the fortified gates at the villages entrances and explore on foot or by boat. The village's tiny islands are linked by Venetian-style bridges, decorated with columns, old-fashioned lamp posts, trompe-l'œil and a maze of arcades - especially around the more recent Place du Sud. A real esthetic success which has since been reproduced in the United States.