Grimaud, Medieval hilltop village in Var, France
Grimaud is a medieval village perched on a rocky hilltop in Provence, crowned by an 11th-century stone castle with defensive walls that overlook the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. The settlement spreads around this fortress, with narrow lanes winding between ancient stone houses.
The Grimaldi family received this territory in 973 as a reward for helping William the Good expel Saracen forces from the fortress of Fraxinet. This defensive victory against foreign invaders shaped the founding and early growth of the settlement.
The Church of Saint-Michel displays Gothic architecture with three naves and anchors the center of the village. Regular markets in the village square maintain Provençal traditions that have endured through the centuries.
The village lies about 10 kilometers from Saint-Tropez and is accessible by bus, with parking at the base of the hill. Wear comfortable shoes, as the narrow cobblestone lanes climb steeply toward the castle at the top.
The village includes Port Grimaud, a water-based town built in the 1960s with canals and bridges where each house has its own boat at the door. This unusual project merges residential living with water access in Mediterranean style.
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