There are supposedly 2 origins to the name of Ramatuelle, the 1st "Rahmatu'llah," which should mean in Arab, "Good Blessed", the other one, much older, goes back to a Gaul tribe named "Camatullici" who is believed to have settled either in the village itself or in its surroundings. The name Camatullici was transformed to Ramatullici, and then to Ramatuelle. Anyhow, Ramatuelle was originally a small village isolated from the outside world, by the "Maures mountains", and the sea. Therefore, its population lived withdrawn from the turmoils of history for a long time.

The road leading to the village winds up the midst of cork- oaks, and pine trees, as if holding back... This is a one way road going around the ramparts, Park there... Notice the ancient windows and door frames , some of which go back to the XVIIth Century. A few meters away, "Rue du Moulin Roux", the "Porte Sarrasine" (the Saraceen door), is still intact. Inside one can see the rail of the portcullis, the stone still bears the marks of the hinges put in 1792 to close the entrance thanks to 2 folding doors.

On the "Rue du Clocher" (Belfry Street), a white building draws the eyes, it goes back to Napoleon the 3rd, these are ancient jails built in an arabic style.

The Rue St Esprit is just besides, it is the center of the village; like a maze, narrow streets follow one another, they are steep and full of steps, beware... Passages enable you to go from the "Place de l'Ormeau" to la "Porte Sarrazine" through la "Rue Rompe cu" On the square presently named "Gabriel Peri", stands the previous lords house, of the Audibert family, the last lords of the village.The Parish Church going back to the XVI th Century, leans against the ramparts, and the watch path still runs along the roofs. During the VIII th Century, barbarians invaded and occupied the area, and Ramatuelle. In 972, William, Count of Provence, ended their deeds by attacking them in their own forts, thus freeing the country. The high walls which surround the town , go back to this period.

During the second half of the XVIth Century, France suffered religious conflicts, and Provence was not spared ,far from it. In 1592, the Governor of Saint-Tropez was commanded to overtake the village of Ramatuelle, it was practically destroyed in the battle, 10 years were needed to rebuild it. It was about at this time that the Elm tree was planted upon the middle of the town square, it lasted for 400 years until it was replaced by an olive tree. Today, Ramatuelle is at peace... all sorts of festivals: Jazz, Theater, Music, Handicrafts, antic dealers, and book fairs, beat the rhythm of the life of the Village, Culture is the highlight of those hilltops, how could it be otherwise in a town which is the garden of Provence ?...