{"id":2211,"date":"2018-04-07T20:49:15","date_gmt":"2018-04-07T18:49:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ramatuelle-tourisme.com\/?page_id=2211"},"modified":"2026-05-19T23:51:39","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T21:51:39","slug":"walking-with-saracens","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.ramatuelle-tourisme.com\/en\/sharing-emotions\/warm-welcome\/walking-with-saracens\/","title":{"rendered":"In the footsteps of the Saracens"},"content":{"rendered":"

1.Place de l\u2019Ormeau<\/strong>
\nThe village\u2019s main square with its caf\u00e9s was renovated in 2025, and hosts the open-air market every Thursday and Sunday morning.
\nThe centenary olive tree.<\/strong> In 1983, this olive tree replaced the elm tree planted in Sully\u2019s time to celebrate the pacification of the province and King Henry IV\u2019s conversion. The elm
\nalso features on the town\u2019s coat of arms. Attacked by Dutch elm disease, our old elm could not be saved, despite many attempts. The decision was regretfully made to chop it down on 23 November 1983. An olive tree now stands in the place of this ancestor. The symbol of Provence and peace, it also embodies the future for Ramatuelle.<\/p>\n

2.Notre-Dame church<\/strong>
\nWith its serpentine gate dating from 1620, the church was built against the former ramparts, the parapet walk of which still runs across the church roof. The bell tower was probably a
\nwatch-tower at one time. The church houses two gold-painted wooden statuettes dating from the 16th century (Saint Joseph and the Virgin Mary), a bust of Saint Andr\u00e9 (patron saint of Ramatuelle) carved out of a fig-tree trunk, two 17th-century retables, and a plaque commemorating four French Navy submarines which sank in action off the coast of Cap Camarat: SM 2326 (05-12-1946), the Sybille (24-09-1952), the Minerve (27-01-1968), andthe Eurydice (04-03-1970). The submarines were lost due to various reasons, such as an explosion, a collision or damage to the helm.<\/p>\n

3.The post office and the coats of arms<\/strong>
\nErected in 1856, this building has housed a school, the town hall, and the living quarters of the schoolteacher and priest. The front stone, over the entrance of the present-day post office, was inserted in 1858, when the building served as the town hall. Like many French municipalities, Ramatuelle has a coat of arms. During the reign of Louis XIV, a royal edict obliged any municipalities with coats of arms to have the latter registered under the \u201cArmorial G\u00e9n\u00e9ral de France\u201d. Ramatuelle complied and paid 20 pounds for this formality. The coat of arms was described as follows: \u201cOr blazon with a Vert leaved-tree surmounted by a star of the same Vert.\u201d The coat of arms thus has a green tree and star on a yellow background.<\/p>\n

4.Archway and model<\/strong>
\nAs you pass under the archway leading to the historic centre, look out for the model of the village which clearly illustrates its spiral layout.<\/p>\n

The old village and its narrow, winding streets enclosed within the circle of the former ramparts.<\/h6>\n

5.Ephemeral gallery<\/strong>
\nDuring the summer season, this atypical venue, which forms part of the \u201ccastle\u201d, becomes an ephemeral showroom called La vitrine des cr\u00e9ateurs. It houses a succession of craft artists and their creative treasures.<\/p>\n

6.\u00c9choppe (workshop)<\/strong>
\nDating from the late 15th or early 16th centuries, this was the workshop of a trader or craftsman. It was built in granite. It probably had a wooden stall to display goods for sale and a folding shutter. The raised threshold prevented rainwater from entering, but above all protected the inside of the house from street dirt and sewers.<\/p>\n

7.Place Gabriel P\u00e9ri<\/strong>
\nThis square, once known as Place du Ch\u00e2teau, is dominated by the manor house, redesigned in the18th century by the lords of Ramatuelle, the Audibert family. Look out for the iron staircase, built by Gustave Eiffel\u2019s workshop in 1868. Climb the staircase to reach the castle garden, an unexpected green space in the geographical heart of the village. (Open to visitors during the opening hours of the restaurant in the garden.)<\/p>\n

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8. Cercle du littoral<\/strong>
\nFounded in 1885, this is the oldest society in Ramatuelle. Its motto is: \u201cOn entering the Circle I leave behind everything that separates us and treasure all that unites us.\u201d A guardian of traditions, the Cercle du Littoral organises festive events and highlights such as the Carnival or Saint-Dindon Day.<\/p>\n

9.Two-tone butcher shop tiles<\/strong>
\nEquipped with hooks to display pieces of meat, these tiles date from the early 20th century.<\/p>\n

10.Lanes with intriguing names<\/strong>
\nThe funniest is undoubtedly Rue Rompe Cuou, or \u201cBroken Neck Street\u201d. Be careful not fall in this lane of steep steps! The most iconic is Rue des Amoureux, or \u201cLovers\u2019 Lane\u201d. This quaint, flowery lane houses a lucky-charm heart and ends with narrow steps from the top of which you can see a buttress between two houses.<\/p>\n

11 Rue \u00c9mile Dep\u00e9tri<\/strong>
\nLook out for the quaint old buildings, with doors and windows dating from the 17th century (houses n\u00b0 1, 12, 24 bis and 39), when the village was rebuilt in the aftermath of the Wars of Religion.<\/p>\n

12 Banc des amoureux (The Lovers\u2019 Bench)<\/strong>
\nDon\u2019t miss the lovers\u2019 bench in Rue Saint Esprit. An ideal spot for some souvenir photos! Tag us on the networks : #destinationramatuelle.<\/p>\n

13.The ancient mill<\/strong>
\nOn the outskirts of the town, Rue du Clocher (house n\u00b08). In the late 18th century, this modest dwelling was once home to an oil mill which was powered by horses, oxen or donkeys. Between 1960 and 1975, the site housed a nightclub, named \u201cL\u2019\u00c2ne Bleu\u201d or the \u201cBlue Donkey\u201d. For tours, please check details.<\/p>\n

14 Former prisons<\/strong>
\nBuilt into the ramparts during the reign of Napoleon III in a highly-Arabic style, these prisons were often mistakenly believed to be hammams erected by the Saracens. Entry to the prisons prohibited.<\/p>\n

For a break in heart of nature, set off on the Sentier des Combes Jauffret path, located in the immediate vicinity. Departure from Chemin du Moulin Roux 2km return<\/h6>\n

15.Saracen gate<\/strong>
\nDating from the 16th century, this gate has preserved its original aspect and leads to Rue du Moulin Roux and Rue des Sarrasins. From the inside, you can still make out the sliding rail and portcullis (or saracen), as well as the hinges installed in 1792 to close the door with two leaves. From the outside, you can see two stone arms which supported a watchtower, often placed over a door.<\/p>\n

16 Viewpoint panel<\/strong>
\nAdmire the views over the vineyards and Pampelonne Bay. Just below this viewpoint lies the Sentier de la Font d\u2019Avaou trail, which leads to the old wash-house and the open-air theatre. This amphitheatre, built in 1985 by the architect Serge M\u00e8ge, can seat more than 1000 people. The venue hosts high-profile events all year round (Jazz \u00e0 Ramatuelle, Reconnexion, Les Nuits Classiques, or the Ramatuelle Festival), offering our municipality a rich cultural programme of national renown. Closed to the public.<\/p>\n

17.Rue Victor L\u00e9on and the wash-house<\/strong>
\nIn this lively street, a wide range of restaurants offer tasty local specialities or more exotic cuisine. In Provence, a lavoir, or wash-house, is much more than a simple building for washing laundry. It is a testament to history, a social venue and a symbol of local culture. The wash-house in Ramatuelle was restored and decorated with a trompe l\u2019oeil.
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18 The former town hall<\/strong>
\nStop to examine the facade of n\u00b03, where you can still make out the \u201cR\u201d and \u201cF\u201d reliefs designating the former town hall. Continue via Avenue Clemenceau, the village\u2019s main street with its shops, restaurants and businesses.<\/p>\n

19.ASSDN Memorial<\/strong>
\nOn Alsfasser Square stands the memorial honouring the veterans of the National Defence Special Services (ASSDN). Visits by appointment only. Inaugurated on 3 May 1959, this memorial, the only one of its kind in France, was designed by the sculptor Courbier, a friend of Jean Moulin. It honours the memory of members of the special services killed during the Second World War. Their missions often took them from Free France to Ramatuelle, in French submarines (Casabianca, Ar\u00e9thuse, Le Marsouin, La Perle). When these vessels landed covertly on the coast, a local group of resistance fighters were famous for having helped to transfer special agents between Algiers and mainland France. Opposite the Roche Escudelier in Escalet, a commemorative plaque also pays tribute to these events.<\/p>\n

20 Saint Anne chapel<\/strong>
\nAlso known as the Chapel of Penitents, it dates from the 16th century. Long deserted, it was eventually restored in the 1960s. A religious service is held here every 26 July, for Saint Anne\u2019s Day. Closed to the public, outside of temporary exhibitions. Check for full details.<\/p>\n

21 The cemetery<\/strong>
\nIn the Middle Ages, the cemetery was located on Place de l\u2019Ormeau and the slopes leading to the present-day town hall. For reasons of hygiene, it was moved to the outskirts of the village in the 19th century. The most visited grave is that of G\u00e9rard Philipe, a famous French actor and star of stage and screen. He died in 1959 at the age of 37, and was buried in his stage costume for Corneille\u2019s Cid, one of his greatest roles. Following the wishes of his family, his tomb is among the most discreet in the graveyard.<\/p>\n

22 Commemorative plaque<\/strong>
\nTake Boulevard du 8 mai 1945, and as you go up the street, notice the plaque on your right commemorating the inhabitants of Ramatuellle who were made prisoner during the Second World War.<\/p>\n

23 Viewpoint<\/strong>
\nPanoramic view over the vineyards, Camarat lighthouse and the southern part of Pampelonne Bay.<\/p>\n

24.The town hall<\/strong>
\nFrom 1900 to 1981, the present-day town hall housed the village school. Take a few minutes to admire the view over the rooftops and visit the photography exhibition, which is renewed every year.<\/p>\n

\"Mairie\"<\/div>\n

25 Fountain & boulodrome<\/strong>
\nLike most French villages, Ramatuelle has a fountain in the classic location of the main square. The water running from the open jaws of its two cast-iron lions was the village\u2019s only source of drinking water up to 1954.
\nFrench p\u00e9tanque.\u00a0<\/strong>In Ramatuelle, like in most Provence villages, p\u00e9tanque or French boules is much more than just a game; it\u2019s a way of life! Under the shade of the plane trees, a game of p\u00e9tanque is always a convivial moment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

1.Place de l\u2019Ormeau The village\u2019s main square with its caf\u00e9s was renovated in 2025, and hosts the open-air market every Thursday and Sunday morning. The centenary olive tree. In 1983, this olive tree replaced the elm tree planted in Sully\u2019s time to celebrate the pacification of the province and King Henry IV\u2019s conversion. The elm… Read more »<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":18681,"parent":1016,"menu_order":229,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2211","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"black__white":false,"type_daffichage":"cols-3","nugget":false,"gallery":false,"liens_ancrage":false,"autoplay":true,"delay":"4000"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ramatuelle-tourisme.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2211","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ramatuelle-tourisme.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ramatuelle-tourisme.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ramatuelle-tourisme.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ramatuelle-tourisme.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2211"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/www.ramatuelle-tourisme.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2211\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18759,"href":"https:\/\/www.ramatuelle-tourisme.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2211\/revisions\/18759"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ramatuelle-tourisme.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1016"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ramatuelle-tourisme.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18681"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ramatuelle-tourisme.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2211"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}