Page 27 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Provence & The Côte d'Azur

A POR TR AIT OF PROVENCE  25

The church sustained the
religious life of the community.
As in Les Baux (see p146), it was
usually built near the keep of the
castle, part of a central core of
communal buildings, and was
often fortified. The bell would be
rung to warn of impending attack.

Fountains were essential to the village,
often being the sole source of water. The arcades lent support to the
Many, like this one in Vence (see p78), buildings in the narrow, winding
were elaborately embellished. streets, as here in Roquebrune
(see p102). They also gave shelter
from sun and rain.
Fountain
Arched and
stepped streets

CASSETTE F O U R
R U E D U H A U T F O U R
E
E
R U E D U H A U T
RUE DU PONTIS R U E G R A N D E

G R A N D E D E S C E N D R E D E L A C A S T R E P L A C E D E
L’ H O S P I C E

R E M P A R T S O U E S T
R E M P A R T S O U E S T
A narrow gateway
was easily secured.
Ramparts and
bastions provided
solid defences.

Main gates were
always narrow so they
could be closed off and
defended in times of
attack. Some gates had
the additional protection
The ramparts surrounded the entire of portcullises. Peille
village with thick stone walls, often with (see p99) in the Alpes
houses built into them. The defences, like Maritimes is a typical
those of St-Paul de Vence (see p79), were Medieval village, full of
strengthened in the 16th century under narrow, cobbled streets,
Francis I and by Vauban, Louis XIV’s military which also helped
architect. Today they offer superb views. defend the village.