Simiane-la-Rotonde, its castle and the Valsaintes garden

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On the edge of the Albion plateau, Simiane-la-Rotonde overlooks the landscapes of Haute-Provence. The Rotunda, village lanes and Valsaintes garden are separate visits to plan according to the season.

Simiane-la-Rotonde is a perched village, set on a promontory of the Albion plateau above a plain where lavender plants are harmoniously aligned in a row. It is a magnificent example of a Provençal perched village, classified as a "city of character" but which could undoubtedly claim to be among the most beautiful villages in France.

The Rotunda of Simiane

A keep crowns the village and defends access to the village from the plateau, it is the Rotunda, the well-preserved remains of the feudal castle of the powerful Agoult-Simiane family. The external appearance of the building is massive and austere, with a hexagonal structure. Inside, its vault forms a magnificent dome whose ribs form a slightly irregular dodecagon (12 sides) and meet at the top around a central oculus. They rest on pillars linked by arcades, whose capitals are decorated with strange human masks, sometimes grotesque or bestial. The building dates from the 12th century, it is one of the most unusual buildings in Provençal medieval architecture, and the practical reason that led the builders to build the keep in this way is unknown. It readily stimulates the imagination of visitors.

After periods of abandonment and agricultural use, the castle underwent successive restorations. The Rotunda and other visitor spaces now introduce its unusual architecture. Check the current programme for exhibitions, activities and concerts.

The village of Simiane-la-Rotonde

The village developed in the Middle Ages around the castle whose enclosure joined the ramparts below. During the Renaissance a glass industry developed and made the reputation of Simiane, many workshops exported their productions throughout Provence. This was a period of prosperity, reflected in the fine houses of noble and bourgeois families, with their refined facades and varied architectural styles.

The upper part of the village includes beautiful buildings from the 16th to the 18th century. The church Sainte Victoire dates from the 16th century. Simiane-la-Rotonde enjoyed a prosperous period thanks to glassmaking. From the covered market, visitors can admire the plain below, a mosaic of wheat and lavender fields, with views stretching to the crest of the Luberon. The covered market was immortalised by a famous photograph of photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson in 1971. The bell tower of Saint-Jean serves as a bell tower at the Sainte-Victoire church located below the village.

Visitors can also see the house of the parents of the writer Ponson du Terrail (1829-1871), prolific and popular writer, author of the saga Rocambole which gave rise to the French adjective “rocambolesque”, meaning fantastic or far-fetched.

Simiane la Rotonde, like many villages in the region has suffered from the decline of handicrafts and rural exodus. From 1456 inhabitants in 1846, only 319 remained in 1968. New residents moved in, and the population rose to 594 in 2016, the houses are now superbly restored.

The village economy remains essentially agricultural. Around Simiane-la-Rotonde spread the fields of fine lavender that grows between 800 and 1200 meters above sea level.

The Garden of Valsaintes Abbey

The Abbey of Valsaintes was founded by a gift of Bertrand Raimbaud, lord of Simiane in 1180 but the current buildings date from the 17th century. The original abbey stood two kilometres away, near the source of the Calavon. The revolutionaries drove out the monks, and the buildings were sold, turned into a farm, and then abandoned. It was bought and restored by the ATHRE association, which created a beautiful garden including a beautiful rose garden with 600 species of roses. The garden obtained the "remarkable garden" label. To respect the soil and plants, traditional gardening methods are employed. On December 21, the day of the winter solstice, the sun that enters through the oculus of the south facade of the church illuminates the center of the altar.

Visit Simiane-la-Rotonde in photos : slideshow

Planning your visit

Walking around the village, visiting the castle and visiting Valsaintes garden are separate activities. Consult the municipality for the castle and the garden website for seasonal opening. Wear suitable shoes for the sloping cobbled lanes; lavender flowering varies with the year and altitude.

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Sights and activities :

website of Simiane-la-Rotonde municipality : www.simiane-la-rotonde.fr

• Rotunda of the 12th century (to visit)
• Covered Halles 16th century
• Church of Sainte-Victoire from the 16th century
• Mansions and houses from the Renaissance to the 18th century
• Museum of History, laboratory of aromatherapy
  
• Floral Park at the Abbey of Valsaintes (outside the village) : valsaintes.org
• Romanesque chapel Saint-Veran (outside the village)
• International Early Music Festival in August: website
• Votive Feast of the Sainte-Victoire the first weekend in May
• Fire of Saint John
• Medieval Festival the first weekend in July
• The area surrounding Simiane is suitable for hiking, cycling and mountain biking

Coming to Simiane-la-Rotonde

The commune of Simiane-la-Rotonde is located in the department of Alpes de Haute Provence (04)

GPS coordinates : N 43°58'52'' - E 5°33'45''

location : altitude 650 meters above sea level, 580 inhabitants, 10 km from Banon, 10 km from Oppedette, 21 km from Sault, 23 km from Apt, 33 km from Forcalquier

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