A Guide to the Best of Simiane-la-Rotonde

Last Updated on 8th July 2022 by Sophie Nadeau

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Nestled deep in the heart of the Provence hinterland, the little village of Simiane-la-Rotonde is not accessible by car and sits perched high on a hilltop overlooking the Provence countryside. The town is so charming that it is now listed as a “city of character” (“cité de caractère”). Here’s a guide to the best things to do in Simiane-la-Rotonde, as well as what to know before you go.

Simiane-la-Rotonde is a ‘village perché,’ which means perched village and is typical of the French countryside. As its name would suggest, the perched village is typically nested on the side of a hillside and were often fortified, constructed just below a chateau. The villages also usually feature a lavoir (public wash basin), small chapel or church, and numerous narrow streets.

Where is Simiane la Rotonde?

Simiane-la-Rotonde is located Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and some of the closest towns and villages of note include Apt, Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt, Banon, and Rustrel. Set at an altitude of 630 metres above sea level, the village is nestled in the Vaucluse mountains.

The first thing you should know about Simiane-la-Rotonde is that the village is steeped in history and has remained largely unchanged for many centuries. There is a permanent population of around 600 residents and inhabitants are known as Simianais.

Car-free (you have to park your car at the top of the entrance to the village and walk down from there), a stroll around this Provençal settlement feels akin to stepping back in time. There used to be a museum dedicated to dolls in the town (La Maison des Poupées) though this has sadly now permanently closed down.

Best things to do in Simiane-la-Rotonde

Château des Simiane-Agoult

The round keep (donjon) and accompanying château at the top of the village not only marks the entrance to the settlement but is the structure from which the village gets its name. A music festival named Riches Heures Musicales de la Rotonde is held in the rotunda every August.

The Château dates back to the 12th-century and is one of the oldest examples of the Provence Romanesque architectural style. The Château has been partially restored and can be visited for a fee.

While the lower floors recreate how the Château would have looked during medieval times, the upper part of the Château has been transformed into the Sainte Victoire Aromatherapy Laboratory, where it’s possible to pay for workshops and learn about essential oils.

Wander the town

After arriving in the town and passing the Château, one of the key ways to enjoy Simiane la Rotonde is to simply stroll around the different levels of the town (be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes as there are lots of cobblestones and steps up and down) and discover the houses, which were predominantly constructed between the 16th and 18th-centuries.

Shop for souvenirs

In the past, the town was particularly well-known for its glassware. Today, that’s no longer the case, though it’s worth noting that the riches from the past can still be seen in how fine all of the buildings in town are.

As well as a covered marketplace (dating back to the 16th-century) there are art studios hosting art workshops and several antique vendors around town, their wares spilling out onto the cobbled streets. As with any Provençal settlement, there are several stores selling lavender-themed products.

Bell Tower of Saint Jean

Though the rest of the church of Saint Jean has since been destroyed, its beautiful bell tower still stands to this day and dates back to the 16th-century. Unfortunately, the bell tower was partially destroyed after being struck by lightning in 1897, though it still chimes on the hour.

Church of Sainte-Victoire

Completed in the 16th-century, the church of Sainte-Victoire is free to visit and is a classic example of 12th-century Provençal architecture blended with newer Gothic and Renaissance features.

Enjoy the views

From the end of June and right up through until the middle of July, the entirety of the plateau stretching out below the town is covered in fields of Provence lavender. Please note that the lavender in this area tends to bloom a little later than that of the Valensole plateau.

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