Château de Hyères

Formerly a majestic castle, perched at 200 metres' altitude on the Castéou hill, overlooked the town of Hyères (Var-83). Today only a few ruins remain that do not let you grasp the importance of the site. Originally built in the first half of the eleventh century by the lords of Fos, it was remodelled several times in the thirteenth century. It was one of the most important fortresses of Provence. It received many prestigious visitors (Saint Louis / Francis I / Charles IX) and played a strategic role during the wars of religion; the castle was destroyed during this period by Henry IV's troops and dismantled, afterwards, by Louis XIII. The castle is on a steep hill, which has on the west a large rocky peak and overlooks to the south the old town of Hyères. It is reached by a single gate, once protected by a portcullis, between 2 round towers. The castle consists of several enclosures and narrow, deep courtyards that gave access to the keep. Throughout your visit many signs are there to show you, with plans, what the castle looked like.

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