Ramatuelle, to the rhythm of cicadas and old stones

To reach the starting point, head towards Chemin de la Paved Slanting Street, 83350 Ramatuelle. Free parking for 100 cars is available. Please note that it can get very busy in summer and on market days.

(S/E) From the car park, head towards the historic village either via the steep footpath or Chemin de la Paved Slanting Street (the option shown on the map). You will arrive at the village hall.

(1) Continue straight on Rue Victor Léon. Pass a viewpoint with a drinking fountain and the wash house before reaching the tourist office.

(2) Turn left onto the small cobbled street in front of the church entrance, then pass under the archway to enter the historic centre of Ramatuelle. From here, deliberately lose yourself in the maze of narrow streets, where the stones whisper centuries of history, artisans' workshops reveal their craftsmanship, and every turn holds a visual or olfactory surprise. You can also follow my GPX track. After discovering the secret squares, carved doors and discreet shops, and soaking up the unique atmosphere that only Provence can offer, head to the tourist office to continue your walk.

(2) Continue along Avenue Georges Clémenceau, which begins to the left of the tourist office. Walk up this avenue to the roundabout, where you will find the war memorial on Square Alphonse Alfasser.

(3) Carefully cross Boulevard du 8 Mai and head towards the chapel and cemetery. Continue to the Sainte-Anne Chapel. Right next to it, the small municipal cemetery is home to the grave of Gérard Philipe, a great French actor who died in 1959 at the age of 36. In his deliberately simple grave, he rests in his costume from Le Cid, the iconic role of his career.
Return to the roundabout.

(3) At the roundabout, turn right towards the town hall. Follow Boulevard du 8 Mai 1945 to the pharmacy, admiring the magnificent views of the historic village. Once at the pharmacy, take the ramp to arrive in front of the town hall.

(4) Go down the ramp and, on Place de l'Ormeau, turn left to reach the fountain opposite the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption.

(5) Turn right at the church onto the small Rue du Clocher (you can return to the historic village via the ramps on the left). Walk down to the signpost opposite the community centre.

(1) Turn right onto Rue Victor Léon, then turn left towards Espace Albert Raphaël. Walk down Chemin de la Paved Slanting Street to the car park (S/E).

Drinking water points along the route

Notre-Dame Church

The Post Office and its coat of arms

Porch and model

Temporary gallery

Shop: Merchant's or craftsman's house dating from the late 15th or 16th century.

Place Gabriel Péri: Don't miss the iron staircase made by Gustave Eiffel's workshops in 1868. Use it to access the castle gardens

Coastal circle

Narrow streets with evocative names

Rue Émile Depétri: Note the picturesque old buildings, doors and windows dating from the 17th century (houses nos. 1, 12, 24 bis and 39), a period during which the village was rebuilt after its destruction during the Wars of Religion.

Lovers' bench

Old Faubourg mill

Old prisons

Sarrasine Gate Dating from the 16th century

Rue Victor Léon and its wash house

The cemetery: In the Middle Ages, it was located on Place de l'Ormeau and on the slopes leading to the current town hall. For hygiene reasons, at the end of the 19th century, it was moved outside the village. The most visited grave is that of Gérard Philipe, a famous French actor who made a name for himself in theatre and cinema. He died in 1959 at the age of 37 and is buried in his costume from Corneille's Le Cid, one of his greatest roles. In accordance with his family's wishes, his grave is one of the most modest.

Panoramic view of the wine-growing plain, the Camarat lighthouse and the southern part of Pampelonne Bay.

Town Hall