GRIMAUD, a charming medieval village crowned by its Feudal castle, which, for a long time, was considered the guardian of the former Gulf of Grimaud, as the Bay of Saint-Tropez was called until the end of the 19th Century. The village invites you to take a walk through the centuries ; strolling along shady little lanes discovering remarkable sites provides calm and serenity, even at the height of the season. Take a plunge into the heart of history. Welcome to Grimaud !

Medieval hill village near the seaside with a waterside village at its feet : Port Grimaud. This is how Grimaud could be summed up. Both, village and yacht harbour deserve attention. The village of Grimaud gives evidence of a long history, beginning from the Gallo-Roman era. In the 11th Century its steep rocky peak attracted the attention of the strategists.

Culminating point dominating the Gulf of Grimaud and controlling the access from the North and from the Maures mountains it had to suffer an early defensive occupation. Until the 17th Century the castle of Grimaud commanded the wide territory of the "Freinet" (nowadays the two Cantons of Grimaud and St Tropez).

Before climbing the hill to get to the castle, before discovering the recently renovated wind mill St Roch, try the lovely little lanes interweaved with light and shadow : the vaults, the stone steps and the heavy doors of studded wood, the façades hidden behind huge bougainvillier, the trompe l’oeil paintings and the windows sparkling with thousands of coloured petals… Until the end of the XIXth century the village received water by three wells.

In 1886 the wells were replaced by a steam machine that delivred the precious liquid. The monumental fountain in the Place Neuve commemorates the arrival of the water.
Even before this date the village got water via the construction of 10 a system realized in the 16th Century and allowing to take water at a distance of 3 km in the mountains ; the "pont des fees" the fairy bridge is today’s only testimony of this system.

During your stroll through the village you may discover the different chapels : the Penitents Chapel, the St Roch’s Chapel as well as the St Michael’s Church ; when leaving the village and perhaps before going to discover Port Grimaud you will find the Chapel Notre Dame de la Queste, an ancient place of worship, in its shady park.

Port-Grimaud

A waterside village which emerged from the marshes in 1966, Port-Grimaud is a genuine architectural tour de force, signed by the famous 20th century architect François Spoerry. This Neo-Provençal style complex, with its Mediterranean atmosphere, stretches over 220 acres and includes about 2 000 houses. Visitors must leave their car at one of the fortified gates at the villages entrances and explore on foot or by boat. The village's tiny islands are linked by Venetian-style bridges, decorated with columns, old-fashioned lamp posts, trompel'oeil and a maze of arcades - especially around the more recent Place du Sud. A real aesthetic success which has since been reproduced in the United States.

"Golf de Beauvallon"

18-hole golf course, open all year round. Access: direction Sainte-Maxime. Turn left onto Boulevard des Collines after about 2 km. Tel: 04 94 96 16 98.

Folk Museum

The museum has been established in an ancient olive-oil mill and a former cork factory; you will discover the history of the village and its region thanks to objects of the everyday life of the past and the restoration of a village apartment of the end of the 19th Century. Temporary exhibitions. Open from Monday to Saturday (and Sunday during school holidays). From May until September from 2.30 to 6 a.m. and from October until April from 2 to 5.30 a.m. From Tuesday to Saturday in july and august. Free entrance. Phone 04 94 43 39 29 or 04 94 55 43 83.

A Touch of History

What is the origin of the village’s name? Let’s carry out an investigation: is there any connection to the famous Grimaldi family of Monaco? In an ancient title of 1058 the village’s name is alrealy Grimaldo”. But the Grimaldi family appeared at Genoa only in the 12th Century; they settled in Provence from the 12th Century. So it seems clear that there is no connection between the Grimaldi family and the village.

Let’s go back even further: could it be the name of a lord founder of the castle?
No one of the lords succeeding each other at the head of the castle had this name. Thus, the origin of the village’s name must be anterior; historians agree that the origin must be the name of an important proprietor from the Antiquity or from the high Middle Ages.

Monuments

“Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs”

Houses the shrines of Saint Théodore. A vault has been annexed as the burial place for the Penitent brothers. On the left-hand side, a 16th century inscription written in Provençal dialect and only deciphered in 1966 bears the words: "Monseigneur de Fréjus granted 40 days of forgiveness".

“La Maison des Templiers”

(Private building)

Charac terized by its three Gothic arcades (declared listed monuments in 1926). The repairs made to the building have not spoiled its 16th century Renaissance style. The façade and cellar are also listed monuments. Don't forget to take a look at the tiled windows.

“Château de Grimaud”

Listed monument dating back to the 11th century. The late 13th century fortified walls encircled part of the village and castle. Reworked in the 15th century, the castle was then destroyed during the Religious Wars. Rebuilt in the mid-17th century, it was abandoned after the French Revolution. Comprising a main building flagged by two towers, whose ruins reveal the three inner floors, this highly-fortified castle was protected by two walls, the largest of which was seven metres high. Today, just one more-or-less intact vaulted room remains.

“Chapelle Saint Roch”

The style of the façade was changed in the late 19th century. Inside, the chapel is all decorated with mural paintings of 1937.

“Eglise Saint-Michel”

late 12th - early 13th centuries

Restored in 1964, the austerity and Medieval style of the chapel's central knave have now been restored. The inside of the chapel is shaped like a Latin cross.
In the side chapel, the 16th century Carrara marble font bearing the inscription "Presbit Monachus de Grimaldi", according to the legende, is said to have been offered by King René. The stained-glass windows are by Jacques Gautier (1975). Square bell tower, topped by an arrow and a lightning conductor (lightning has already fallen here twice...). Today's bells date back to 1866 and 1786.

“Chapelle Notre Dame de la Queste”

Quartier Bagatin. Place of pilgrimage in August, this chapel, first mentioned in an early 11th-century charter, is home to a fine Louis XIV retable. The gold-leafed altarpiece and articulated statue of the Virgin have now been relocated to the parish church. The stolen statue was found in a well in 1900 - horses, donkeys and mules were traditionally blessed at the site on August 16th.

“Moulin à vent de Saint-Roch”

Built in the 17th century, the flour mill was formerly called the "Moulin de la Gardiole". It was fully restored and returned to full working order in 1990 by the architect Hubert Lemonier and the "Compagnons du Tour de France". Access: from the castle car park (open in summer).

“Moulin à huile de l'Hospital”

Built in the 17th century, this was the village's largest oil mill. Its remains can now be seen at the "Musée des Arts et Traditions Populaires" (folk museum).

“Pont-des-Fées footpath”

Modern time aqueduct (XVIth or XVIIth century) which allowed, with a main and a siphon, to bring the Pancaou spring water, at about 3 km, until a fountain in the fairground. Exceptional work, unique of its kind in PACA region, to discover.

Take a Walk!

Lengh : 1 hour

1. From the Tourist Office, go up the "Boulevard des Aliziers" until the "Place Neuve". The monumental fountain celebrate" the water arrival in the village. Continue to go up, after the porch, there is the "Place Vieille". Take the "Rue des Meuniers" and "Rue des Templiers". From the Saint Michel Church, take the "Rue du Balladou" to go to the castle.

2. From the castle, admire the beautiful view. Go down on the right, direction « Rue de la Treille » and « Rue du Baou ». Direct towards the "Chapelle des Pénitents".

3. Come back and take "Rue de la Pompe". Go up the "Rue du Gacharel". Take right, under the porch, and, "from Place Neuve", take the large stairs with 52 steps or the lift.

4. On the Right, go to the "Musée Municipal des Arts et Traditions Populaires"( entrance free). Come back to the Tourist Office.

5. Tree others monuments are situated near the castle’s parking : la "Chapelle St Roch", le "Moulin St Roch" and Le "Pont des Fées".

Panorama

"Château de Grimaud"

The castle offers views over the village and surrounding country, to Port-Grimaud and the Bay of Saint-Tropez.

"Moulin de Grimaud" (Mill)

Exceptional panorama over the Maures Hills and the coast.

"Eglise Saint-François" at Port-Grimaud

You can climb to the top of the church to enjoy fine views over the waterside village, the Bay of Saint-Tropez and the Maures Hills.

"Le Petit Train"

Tourist train offering rides from Port-Grimaud (main entrance) to Grimaud (Place Neuve). One hour approx. April-October. Tel: 06 80 67 89 31.

"Coches d'Eau"

Barge itinerary taking you round the canals and most picturesque areas of the waterside village. The whole year, 2 company : Les Coches d’eau - Tel: 06 07 71 61 99. Les Navettes Grimaldines - Tel: 06 22 77 24 00. Possibility of hiring electric driven boats without licence - Tel: 06 23 64 51 32.

Bowling, billiards, games room

Saint Pons les Mûres (direction Sainte-Maxime). Open all year round. Tel: 04 94 56 26 69

Art Galleries

Galerie Sauval - 9 Place Vieille. Open from April 1-Oct 15. Tel: 04 94 43 36 42

Galerie Artagra - 14, Rue des Templiers. Tél : 04.94.56.80.11.

Galerie Paschos - Place Neuve. Open from April 1st to November 4 and Christmas time. Tel: 04 94 43 28 82.

Galerie Owo - Rue de Clastre. Open from may to the end of october. Phone: 04 94 54 27 05. Terre de Sienne - 17, rue des Templiers. Open all the year. Phone: 04 94 43 34 13.

Thumm Céramiste - Chemin de Rascas. Open from may to the end of october. Phone: 04 94 55 67 40.

Galerie Hiyake - 13, Place Neuve. Tél : 06.87.07.12.35. Galerie du Cygne - Place des Remparts. Tél : 04.94.56.80.45 / 06.12.50.51.02. Week-end on RDV.

Galerie Quartz - 4, Bd des Aliziers. Phone: 04 94 96 05 37. In high season and Christmas period.

Craft work, pottery

(see practical guide)