Page 26 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Provence & The Côte d'Azur

24  INTRODUCING PROVENCE

Perched Villages

Some of the most attractive architectural features of
Provence are the villages perchés, or perched villages. They
rise like jagged summits on the hilltops where they were
built for safety in the political turmoil of the Middle Ages.
From their lofty heights they kept vigil over the hinterland
as well as the coast. They were built around castle keeps
and wrapped in thick ramparts, a huddle of cobbled
streets, steps, alleys and archways. Few were able to sustain
their peasant communities beyond the 19th-century
agrarian reforms, and a century of poverty and depopu- The mountainous site of Peillon
(see p99) is typical of the way
lation followed. Today many of the villages have been perched villages blend
restored by a new generation of artists, organically with the
craftworkers and holiday-makers. landscape.

RUE DE LA POURTOUNE R U E RUE DE LA

G A U L L E
M O N T É E D E L’ É G L I S E
P L A C E C H A R L E S D E
R U
E D D E S D O R I E R S
E S
B A U Q U E S
St-Paul de Vence
Many of the key features of R U E
this typical village perché R U E G R A N D E
have been preserved. The
medieval ramparts were
completely reinforced by C O U R T I N E S T P A U L
Francis I in the 16th century. BASTION
Today it is again besieged – as ST R E M P A R T S O U E S T
one of France’s most popular REMY
tourist sights (see p79).
Complicated entrances
confused invaders and
provided extra security The church was
against attack. always the focal
point of the village.

Side entrances were
never obtrusive or
elaborate, but were
usually small and, as in
Eze (see p92), opened
onto narrow, winding
lanes. Sometimes there
were more gates or Castles and keeps (donjons), and sometimes
abrupt turns within fortified churches, were always sited with the
the walls to confuse best viewpoint in the village, and provided
attacking soldiers, sanctuary in times of crisis. Many, like the
making the town easier castle at Eze (see p92), were often attacked
to defend. and are now in ruins.