Les Arcs sur Argens

Named Archos in 1010 (from the word arc), this town in Provence became Castrum de Arcubus (Château des Arcs). From the XIIth to XVIIth centuries the seigneurial of Arcs became the property of the Villeneuve family. However until 1612, les Arcs was a Baronage and in March 1612 Louis XIII decided to confer the title of Marquis to Arnaud de Villeneuve de Bouliers, noble and baron of Arcs.

Leave your car in the Town Hall square and walk. Just wander round the narrow streets. From the highest points at the castle, looking over the village roof tops you can see the Maures and the Roquebrune rock.

If today Les Arcs is a modern village, pass through the Clock tower gateway and you will discover a medieval environment with its mixture of steep streets and old buildings. The area between the "sarrasine" tower (XIth century dungeon) and Paul Simon square, called the "Parage", is the oldest in the medieval town. (XIth/XIIIth century).

You'll find the Parage tower, XIth century dungeon, remains of the ancient Arcubus Castrum and the Saint Pierre chapel from the XIIIth - XVth centuries, with its two naves and side chapels (exhibition spaces in summer).

Located outside of the village on the (D91), nestling at the foot of a hill among the vines of the Sainte Roseline vineyard this classified monument dates from the XIIth century and holds the shrine and relics of Sainte Roseline.

On the initiative of Marguerite Maeght, modern works of art have been added to the altar and cross which date from 1635 and the XIVth century Nativity retable (A Marc Chagall mosaic, a bronze lectern by Giacometti and stained glass by Ubac and Bazaine) Next to the chapel we can find the cloister of the Celle-Roubaud abbey (private).

Les Arcs is a very well known place of the Côtes de Provence. Thanks to the river of Argens, the quality of the vines and land, a dozen of prestigious vineyards produce a very famous wine.