Riez, Roman village in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France
Description
Riez sits at the intersection of three valleys on the slopes of Saint-Maxime hill, with medieval ramparts and ancient stone buildings throughout its layout. The village spreads across wooded terrain with narrow streets leading to historic squares and structures from different periods of its past.
History
A Roman colony named Colonia Julia Augusta Reiorum Appolinaris was founded by Emperor Augustus, whose legacy remains visible in four granite columns from a first-century temple. Medieval fortifications later overlay these early structures, shaping the village's appearance over centuries.
Culture
The town hosts traditional markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays where local producers sell truffles, honey, olive oil, and lavender grown in the surrounding countryside. These gatherings form the center of daily life and reflect how the community values its agricultural roots.
Practical
The village offers access to outdoor activities through its proximity to Verdon Regional Nature Park, Sainte-Croix Lake, and numerous hiking trails throughout the area. Visitors can explore the center on foot, though sturdy shoes are recommended since the paths follow the hillside terrain.
Did you know?
A baptistery was built in the fifth century atop the ruins of Roman thermal baths and ranks among the rare surviving early Christian structures in Provence. This building demonstrates how local communities repurposed ancient sites to create religious centers for their growing faith.
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Castle of Allemagne-en-Provence
7.8 km
Église Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption de Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
10.9 km
Baptistère de Riez
341 m
Chapelle Notre-Dame de Beauvoir
11.1 km
Vestiges antiques de Riez
263 m
Chapelle Sainte-Maxime de Riez
456 m
Riez Cathedral
159 m
Temple of Apollo in Riez
379 mChâteau du Grand Jardin
9 km
Église Saint-Denis de Valensole
9.1 km
Hôtel de Mazan
3.1 km
Chapelle Saint-Apollinaire de Puimoisson
7 km
Grande Fontaine de Valensole
8.9 kmÉglise Saint-Michel de Puimoisson
5.7 km
Fontaine de la Colonne
124 m
Église Saint-Martin de Brunet
9.6 km
Porte d'Ayguières
127 m
Porte Saint-Sébastien
158 m
Église Sainte-Croix de Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon
8.1 km
Église Saint-Marc d'Allemagne-en-Provence
7.9 km
Église Notre-Dame de La Bégude
11.9 km
Chapelle du Tholonet de Valensole
9 km
Église Saint-Nicolas-de-Myre de Bras-d'Asse
12.2 km
Maison à encorbellement, 3 Grand-Rue
3.1 km
Hôtel, 7 place Saint-Antoine
43 m
Chapelle de la Tuilière
10.7 km
Chapelle Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Bras-d'Asse
11.1 km
Maison, 31 Grand-Rue
128 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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