Château de Gréoux-les-Bains

The castle known as the Templars' Castle (but which never belonged to them) has parts dating from the 12th to the 17th century. It belonged to the Counts of Provence from 1248, then to the Hospitallers of Saint John of Jerusalem. It was purchased by the commune in the early 1980s. It is said that the Templars decided to build a castle in Gréoux for the virtues of its waters, beneficial for the convalescence of wounded knights. Besides the legend of the Templars, another concerns the existence of an underground passage starting from the cistern to reach the village cellars, equally unfounded. It has been classified as a historical monument since 1840.

The castle is built around a rectangular courtyard. The enclosure is reinforced by a round tower (northeast) and a square keep (northwest), which may date from the 12th century. Its defenses were further improved in the 16th century, before it was modified to provide more comfort to its inhabitants.

In summer, concerts and theatrical performances take place at the castle. Exhibitions are held in the castle's guardroom all year round.

Sandrine Claude, Le château de Gréoux-les-Bains (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence), Paris, Éditions de la Maison des sciences de l'homme, coll. « Documents d'archéologie française » (no 80), 2000 (ISBN 2-7351-0801-5, read online)

List of historical monuments of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence

Resources related to architecture: Mérimée Structurae

Château de Gréoux-les-Bains: History and description Slideshow of the Château de Gréoux-les-Bains

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