Château de Forbin (ruines)

Château de Forbin is a set of romantic medieval castle ruins on Montjoie hill in Solliès-Ville, a small village in the Var department of Provence. Only fragments of the original stronghold remain, but the site still draws visitors — less for the architecture than for its history and the view it commands.

What is the history behind the ruins?

The fortress is tied to the Forbin family, one of Provence's most prominent noble houses. In 1468, Palamède de Forbin bought the fief of Solliès from Jean de Beauvau for 13,000 florins, formally taking possession on 20 April 1469. The Forbin family held the fief for more than 270 years, until the death of its last descendant in 1743.

The castle itself did not survive intact. In 1578, during a peasant uprising, it was looted and destroyed — an event that permanently shaped the ruined state visitors see today.

Who saved the ruins from oblivion?

The site's fate is closely linked to Jean Aicard, a French writer and poet who became mayor of Solliès-Ville in 1919. Aicard pushed for the Forbin castle ruins to be listed as a historic monument, which was formally granted by decree on 22 June 1920. Aicard himself wrote the play "Forbin de Solliès ou le Testament du roi René," staged among the ruins in August 1920 by the Comédie-Française, France's national theatre. Today the ruins belong to the commune of Solliès-Ville.

What will you actually see on site?

The ruins themselves are modest — surviving wall fragments and the outline of the original structure let you picture the scale of the former stronghold, but this isn't a restored castle with a guided route through furnished rooms. The real draw is the Montjoie esplanade, which opens onto a sweeping panorama of the Gapeau valley. On a clear day you can spot the Maures massif and its highest point, Notre-Dame-des-Anges (780 m).

How do you get there, and when's the best time to visit?

Solliès-Ville sits in the central Var department, close to Toulon and the Gapeau valley. Montjoie hill, where the ruins stand, rises above the village, so reaching them means a short uphill walk — comfortable shoes matter more here than in a typical town centre. Given the ruins' condition and limited infrastructure, it's worth checking current access conditions with the local Vallée du Gapeau tourist office before you go.

Spring and autumn are the best seasons, when Provence's mild temperatures make the climb comfortable and the views from the esplanade are at their clearest. In summer, the exposed hilltop and strong midday sun can make longer stays uncomfortable.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the castle? No — only wall fragments remain. This isn't a roofed building with an interior tour; it's more of a viewpoint dotted with historic remains.

How long does a visit take? Not long, usually 20–40 minutes including the walk up the hill and time to take in the view over the Gapeau valley.

Is entry free? The ruins are commune-owned open public ground, but it's worth confirming current access conditions with the tourist office before your visit.

What else is worth seeing nearby? The village of Solliès-Ville itself, with its narrow lanes, and nearby Solliès-Pont, where the restored Forbin family château now houses the town hall — an interesting contrast between the fates of two buildings owned by the same family.