At the entrance to the Verdon Gorge, Castellane is home to numerous sites steeped in history!
Located on the Route Napoléon and designated a "Village and Town of Character," Castellane is best explored by strolling through its alleyways, narrow streets, andrones (passageways through houses), and its large square shaded by centuries-old plane trees.
You'll discover the medieval church of Saint-Victor, the archaeological site of Petra Castellana, and the Notre-Dame du Roc chapel, a pilgrimage site built in the 17th century, with its recently restored decorations.
Dominated by its Roc, a gigantic limestone cliff rising over 200 meters high, it is visible for miles around.
Not far from the Roc, history enthusiasts can explore the remains of Petra Castellana, the ancient medieval village.
Wander among the ruins steeped in history before reaching the Pentagonal Tower, the last vestige of a glorious past dating back to the 14th century. The gardens of the Pentagonal Tower are well worth a visit.
Explore the village with its eight silhouettes that recount the history, built heritage, and cultural heritage of Castellane, from Boniface VI to a bourgeois couple, including the town crier, the bishop, the woman with the watering can, the crossbowman, the peasants, and the prisoner.
Your visit to Castellane wouldn't be complete without exploring its three museums.
The Maison Nature & Patrimoines, the municipal museum located in the heart of the village, is free and open to all, offering a glimpse into the diverse heritage of the Verdon Valley.
The great story of the Resistance awaits you at the Resistance Museum, where you can discover World War II and the Resistance in Haute-Provence through hundreds of objects retracing extraordinary individual journeys.
Finally, the Citromuseum showcases iconic vehicles (DS, 2CV, Dyane, etc.) from France from the 1950s to the 1980s. An exceptional collection of post-war Citroën cars, signs, and enamel plaques. Visitors can admire rare models and discover fascinating anecdotes about the history of the automobile in France.
Finally, every year at the end of January, you can attend the Fireworks Festival, a theatrical reenactment with period costumes, dance and music performances, birds of prey demonstrations, medieval food, street parades, mulled wine… all in remembrance of January 31, 1586…
Castellane Tourist Office
2, Bd Saint-Michel,
04120 Castellane
Tel: +33 4 92 72 59 12
https://www.castellane-verdon.com/
