Simiane-la-Rotonde, Medieval village in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France
Simiane-la-Rotonde is a medieval village in Provence set on a hilltop in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence region. At its heart stands a 12th-century stone rotunda, surrounded by narrow streets and old houses, while the surrounding landscape is defined by lavender fields and rolling hills.
The village was founded in the Middle Ages around the rotunda, built in the 12th century and still defining the settlement today. This structure served as both a strategic and spiritual center that shaped the place's development across the centuries.
The village takes its name from the medieval rotunda that defines the settlement and holds a central place in local identity. Visitors can observe how this structure shapes the daily rhythm and spatial arrangement of the community today.
The village is best explored on foot, as the old streets are narrow and unsuitable for larger vehicles. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes, as the location sits on a hillside and the climb can be tiring.
Despite its modest size, the village's rotunda served as a fortified structure in medieval times and could be defended when needed. Today visitors can still trace the military purpose of the building in its reinforced walls and protective design.
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