The Agoult-Simiane castle, built ten centuries ago, with the famous Rotonde as its keep, is the heart of the village of Simiane-la-Rotonde, its starting point and its identity.
Description
A visit to the Château de Simiane-la-Rotonde will allow visitors to immerse themselves in the thousand-year-old history of a building that succeeded an ancient Roman oppidum. Owned by the Simiane Agoult family, it underwent several major alterations during periods of intense activity or partial abandonment. As early as 1031, it already appears in a deed of donation to the Abbey of St Victor (Marseille) as a Castrum, that is, a fortified space with lands dependent on a lord.
The oldest part of the castle is the large tower in the shape of a truncated cone, the old keep, more than 18 meters high, once surrounded by a wide dry moat. Recent restorations will allow visitors to more accurately understand the living space of the medieval occupants. A permanent exhibition dedicated to the history of the castle and the family takes place in a very beautiful Romanesque room: you will discover architectural elements found in the castle courtyard during the latest archaeological excavations, as well as copies of handwritten documents testifying to local events.
While the castle still needs to find new archive documents in order to reveal all its mysteries, it will not fail to fascinate you with its centerpiece: the rotunda, the state room of the keep with its magnificent helical vault opening onto a zenithal oculus. Expressive stone masks, taken from a symbolic medieval bestiary, and overlooking the capitals of the room, coexist today with contemporary works, renewed as exhibitions progress. An early music festival resonates every summer in August in this beautiful building which once hosted troubadours.
From the accessible part of the terrace built on an 11th-century building, you will admire the breathtaking view of the rooftops below, the valley covered with lavender fields (in season) and the hills wooded with white oaks. The restored Renaissance apartment now hosts exhibitions and the aromatherapy shop (Young Living Group) which introduces visitors to the benefits of aromatic molecules from essential oils.
Listed as a Historic Monument since 1841 and owned by the municipality since 1999, the castle remains a bet on the future, supported by the municipal team and all those who work to enhance and boost the dynamism of this thousand-year-old site.
Details concerning animals Dogs are welcome on leashes and muzzles if necessary. Owners are fully responsible for their pets, and Simiane Town Hall declines all liability in the event of an incident.
Comfort and amenities
Services
Equipment
Activities
Accessibility
Rates / opening
Prices
Full price: €5,50 (from 18 years old)
Reduced rate: €4,50 (Group (15 people) on self-guided tours / Gîte de France card holders / Museum Passport holders 04, Students, Teenagers aged 12 to 17).
Free for children under 12, the press, guide escorts, drivers, disabled people and their companions.
Group rate from 15 people.
Free admission to the Young Living store for the holder (and up to one companion) of a valid Young Living loyalty card (issued with any purchase at the Young Living store, valid for one year from the date of issue). BY PRESENTATION ONLY.
Opening
From 01/03 to 15/06 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 17:30 p.m. Friday and weekends from 10:30 a.m. to 17:30 p.m.
Guided tours on Fridays and weekends until 11 a.m., until 14:30 p.m. and until 16 p.m.
The Medieval Castle of Simiane-la-Rotonde reserves the right to modify the opening days and times of the castle and guided tours in the event of exceptional circumstances.
From 16/06 to 31/08 every day from 10:30 a.m. to 18 p.m.
Guided tours every day until 11 a.m., until 14:30 p.m. and until 16 p.m.
The Medieval Castle of Simiane-la-Rotonde reserves the right to modify the opening days and times of the castle and guided tours in the event of exceptional circumstances.
From 01/09 to 31/12/2025 on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and weekends from 10:30 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
The Medieval Castle of Simiane-la-Rotonde reserves the right to modify the opening days and times of the castle and guided tours in the event of exceptional circumstances.