Grimaud, not to be confused with the neighbouring seaside resort of Port Grimaud, is situated at the edge of the grand Massif des Maures, some 12km west of Saint-Tropez, and 10km south-west of Sainte Maxime. Its location lends it to some of the most stunning views in the area and in a previous age, meant that it was of great strategic importance.
The village today is a well-balanced mix of beautiful restored houses, exclusive boutiques, and the commerce needed to service a village of this size. It currently has a population which hovers around 3,500, many of whom are locals who have lived here all their lives. To help elderly residents such as these the Mairie has come up with a novel solution: it has installed a glass elevator to carry people from the main street at the bottom of the village to the main square above.
Grimaud’s rich history is still very evident when walking through the village. The 12-century village church Saint-Michel is a fine example of Roman architecture, whilst the 17th-century Saint Roch’s windmill, just the north of the main village is well worth a visit. However the piece de resistance is surely the castle ruins at the top of the village. The castle was built in the early 11th century, and then rebuilt in the 15th century. Cardinal Armand Jean du Plessis de Richelieu ordered for the castle to be destroyed in the mid 17th century.
Official site: http://www.residencesainttropez.com/en/grimaud-information