Simiane-la-Rotonde

Simiane-la-Rotonde is the town and commune in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, southeastern France.

Simiane has received the “Village and city of character” label.

Nearest towns: Apt (Vaucluse), Forcalquier and Manosque (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence).

Tourism and main attractions

The castle which dominates the village dates from the end of the 12th century for its oldest elements. A castle already existed at this location in 1031.

It is known for the irregular dodecagonal rotunda from the end of the 12th century or the beginning of the 13th century, which gives its name to the village. Externally, it is pyramidal in shape, more regular on the southwest side, which faces the village, than on the northeast side.

Religious art

In the past, the Sainte-Victoire parish church was placed under the protection of Saint Pierre. Today, it is under the patronage of Saint Victoire. Former priory of Saint-André de Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, it dates from the 16th century (according to historical monuments and the Historical Atlas) or the 17th century (Raymond Collier). It was restored by Father Corriol in the 1920s, and it is one of the most beautiful churches in Haute Provence. It is classified as a historic monument.
The isolated Saint-Jean bell tower, the Saint-Jean church having disappeared.

The Notre-Dame de Pitié chapel dates from the second half of the 16th century.
The Sainte-Victoire chapel, to the southwest of the village, succeeds an older foundation. In 1920, reconstruction began without finishing it. It is built on a cave which may have served as a hermitage.
The Saint-Vincent church in Carniol (16th century Romanesque).

The castle of Boulinette, belonging to the abbots of Valsaintes (18th century) was transformed into the Abbey of Notre-Dame de Valsaintes in the 17th century. The ruins of the cloister and the convent buildings, as well as the church located on the first floor of the castle, have been restored from 1996.