Peypin’s highlights range from medieval architectural history and mining to a Natura 2000 site shared by several municipalities and specific activities. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing between these themes: Le Castellas offers a clearly dated link to architectural history, the memorial stele commemorates the miners, and the discovery trail and horse-riding options appeal to different interests. The details below will help you decide which aspects best suit your trip.

Le Castellas and the Château de Valdonne

Le Castellas was built by Pierre Brémond in 1150. The ruins that remain today include two towers, 97-metre-long defensive walls and a vaulted room in the keep. These details describe different features and dimensions of the structure: the number of towers, the length of the defensive walls and an interior room in the keep. Together with the year it was built, they give this historic site a distinctive profile. If you are interested in medieval architecture, you can consider its architectural history alongside its named structural features.

The Château de Valdonne offers a different perspective: it was designated a Monument historique in 1986 because of its architectural richness. It is currently privately owned and is not open to visitors. This distinction is important for planning your trip: the historic designation indicates its heritage status, not visitor access. So do not plan to visit the château, and check access again before travelling. While Le Castellas is distinguished by its construction date and ruins, Valdonne is characterized by its designation and the architectural grounds for it.

Traces of mining

Coal was extracted at the Valdonne mines; in the region, this coal is known as lignite. This identifies the resource associated with Peypin’s industrial history. A memorial stele erected in 2005 commemorates the miners at the Puits Castellane site on the Route de Gréasque, where it is visible. The two aspects have different focuses: the mines represent coal extraction, while the stele commemorates the miners. If you are interested in the industrial past, you can consider resource extraction and remembrance as two distinct themes.

Nature in the southern part of the municipality

The southern part of the municipality of Peypin lies within the Natura 2000 Special Area of Conservation FR9301603, “Chaîne de l’Etoile- massif du Garlaban”. The area covers twelve municipalities. These details help put the nature connection into its geographical context: Peypin’s inclusion concerns the southern part of the municipality, while the protected area spans several municipalities. The nature theme is therefore rooted locally while also forming part of a wider regional context.

Activities and their different focuses

The Sentier découverte – Domaine de la Roque Forcade offers a free way to discover the vineyard and olive grove of the Château de la Roque Forcade. If you plan this activity, check the visiting arrangements again before your trip. Another option is the Yearling Club in Peypin. A regional tourism listing, last updated on 5 July 2023, mentions riding lessons and courses there; non-members can also take part. Confirm current availability in advance. The activities have clearly distinct focuses: the Sentier centers on the vineyard and olive grove, while the Yearling Club offers riding lessons and courses. This lets you choose between a free discovery of the estate and a riding activity whose current availability still needs to be confirmed.

Discover more destinations: Berre-L'étang, Pélissanne, Saint-Paul-Lès-Durance, Carnoux, Allauch, Pont De Crau Arles, Maillane, Belcodène

For the broader travel overview: Bouches Du Rhone.