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The charm of a village
Grimaud, a treasure of ProvenceA blend of Provençal and medieval charm
The unique character of the village of Grimaud
If there’s one place that literally oozes the charm of Provence, it is the historic village of Grimaud. Passing by the flower beds and on every street corner, let the fascinating history of this village whisk you away.
The monuments such as the medieval castle, the cobbled streets and stone houses all whisper the secrets of the past, inviting you to come and find out more, and unleash your imagination!
The Château de Grimaud is like an open medieval history book and probably the village’s most famous monument. But it is far from being the only historic treasure to explore here! Let us tell you more.
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Grimaud Village Historique Var 110Grimaud Village Historique Var 78Grimaud’s Provençal heritage
Unmissable monuments
The village’s medieval past hangs in the air, turning Grimaud into a real open-air museum. There are not only historic sites to visit in the village. Port Grimaud, known as the ‘Little Venice of Provence’, is a modern creation that was awarded the title of ‘Remarkable Contemporary Architecture’. This place, with its canals and coloured houses, provides a fascinating contrast to the historic village, and shows that local heritage can also be contemporary!
– The castle of Grimaud: the medieval castle stands overlooking the village and offers a breathtaking view of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, serving as a reminder of the power of the fiefdom in medieval times.
– The Saint-Michel Church: the 11th century church (since disappeared) was the first church to be built in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. The current church dates from the 12th century and was built in a style that is characteristic of Provence.
– The Fairies Bridge: at the heart of the Maures mountains, this ancient bridge once supplied water to the village of Grimaud. It is now simply a good excuse to set off on a hike through nature!
– The Saint-Roch Windmill: there are so many windmills in the region and they are a key feature of Provence. Every year, the Fête du Moulin is held in the village of Grimaud, where you can enjoy demonstrations and typical dances of Provence in a historic atmosphere.
– The Rue des Templiers (Templars street): it was once believed that the Knights Templar visited this street, but we now know that it was simply a street lined with shops. When exploring this street, keep your eyes peeled! The art venue, Arcades House, is open to visitors to come and admire the work of various artists.
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Vignoble Provence Grimaud Var 30Wine country and land of olive groves
The very best of crops and nature
Grimaud is also a land where crops and nature make the perfect match. At the heart of this region, the vineyards and olive groves provide visitors with a truly picture-perfect sight. There are three winegrowing estates and a cooperative winery here that bear witness to the region’s winegrowing history. These vineyards produce exceptional wines thanks to ancient know-how and a unique terroir!
Grimaud would not be completely Provençal without its olive groves! They are generally found on the sun-kissed hills of Provence, often with dry-stone wall terraces. The olives grown here are transformed into olive oil of superior quality, a regional liquid gold that adds an incredible touch to Mediterranean cuisine, and even soap! Olives and Provence is a long-standing love story.
A visit to Grimaud wouldn't be complete without the hamlets
Exploring the more rustic areasDid you know? Before becoming residential neighbourhoods, the hamlets were farms owned by the lords.
Come and discover how they became houses and which ones are the main hamlets of Grimaud!
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Grimaud Village Historique Var 90From dream to (augmented) reality
Travel back in time with Archistoire
A virtual exploration of Grimaud and Port Grimaud with Archistoire! This application uses augmented reality to take you on a real journey back in time. You can now come and visit Grimaud’s heritage sites whether you are at the historic village or comfortably seated on your sofa at home.
In the village of Grimaud, set off ‘on a quest for blue gold’ and find out how the villagers managed to bring water to the centre of the village. A story of ingenuity and perseverance!
In Port Grimaud, follow in the footsteps of architect François Spoerry and find out how the lacustrian town was created. An opportunity to see just how this architectural masterpiece was built!
Good to know
The historic village of Grimaud is in the department of Var, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, in the south of France.
Grimaud has a whole host of activities on offer for visitors, combining history, culture and nature. Here are some of the must-sees:
– The castle of Grimaud: head up to the medieval castle to admire the breathtaking view of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, and learn about the history of the local lords.
– The Saint-Michel Church: admire the typically Provençal architecture of this 12th-century Romanesque church.
– The Penitents Chapel: venture inside to see the ancient relics.
– The Saint-Roch Chapel: admire the superb wall paintings that were restored in 2021.
– The Notre-Dame de la Queste Chapel: it has survived for centuries in a corner of an estate full of ancient oak trees.
– The Fairies Bridge: come and explore this bridge on a hike.
– Wander around the old village: explore the beautiful little cobbled streets, stone houses and shaded village squares.
– Visit the winegrowing estates: take part in wine tastings (with moderation) at one of the winegrowing estates in the village.
– Hike in the Maures mountains: explore the hiking trails that wind through forests of oak and chestnut trees.
– Visit Port Grimaud: go for a stroll around this one-of-a-kind lacustrian town!
– The Arcades House: a venue brimming with artworks from French artists and artists from further afield.
If you’re staying a while longer in Var, we recommend exploring the region’s other unmissable villages:
– Gassin,
– Ramatuelle,
– La Garde-Freinet,
– Cogolin,
– Sainte-Maxime,
– Saint-Tropez.
If you’re coming to Grimaud on a family holiday, you should know that there are plenty of activities for children to discover the region’s culture and have great fun at the same time! Here are some of our ideas:
– The ‘Trésor de Grimaud’ (Treasure of Grimaud) investigation games booklet to learn about the history of the village,
– The Heritage Museum, to show visitors of all ages what life was like in the village of yesteryear,
– The Little Train, to travel between the village and the lacustrian town,
– An orienteering trail, so that parents and children can have some good old-fashioned fun together!
