Oppidum des Encourdoules, human settlement in France
The Oppidum des Encourdoules is an ancient fortified settlement perched on a hill near Vallauris, covering an area of roughly two hectares. The remains include thick stone walls, the foundations of residential buildings, and pressing installations used for producing wine and olive oil.
The settlement was founded around the end of the 3rd century BC and remained occupied until roughly the 4th century AD. During the reign of Augustus, the site was rebuilt with parts of its original walls destroyed and the settlement expanded beyond its earlier boundaries.
The name Encourdoules reflects the Ligurian people who first settled this hilltop and built their community here. The remains visible today tell the story of a place where people shared daily life, work, and common defense.
The site is open to visitors who can walk among the ruins and building foundations at their own pace. Wear comfortable shoes since the ground is uneven and pathways are not consistently paved.
Excavations between 2002 and 2005 uncovered pressing facilities for wine and oil along with a tomb bearing an inscription honoring a woman named Balbia Paterna. Over 160 ancient coins found since the 1800s reveal the settlement's lengthy prosperity and its trade connections across multiple centuries.
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