Tours de Castillon

Tours de Castillon is a ruined medieval hilltop settlement in the commune of Paradou, set within the Alpilles mountain range in Provence. The site takes its name from the three surviving towers that still mark the line of its former defensive walls.

What is this place?

The hill above Paradou was occupied almost continuously from the 2nd century BC to the 15th century. In the protohistoric period it held an oppidum, a fortified settlement built by local Provençal peoples. Later, during the Hellenistic era, the site grew into a modest settlement, and the Romans left traces of their own presence, though their occupation was limited and the site partly emptied out for several centuries afterward.

The real growth came in the Middle Ages. From the 11th century, the Lords of Les Baux, who controlled much of the Alpilles, folded the hill into their defensive network. The settlement was enclosed by a rampart roughly 8 metres high, reinforced with four towers — three of which still stand today, giving the site its modern name. Population peaked in the 13th and 14th centuries, when a dense residential quarter filled the space within the walls.

What will you see on site?

Archaeological excavations carried out between 1986 and 1990 uncovered a small residential district that expanded considerably during the 14th century and was repeatedly modified throughout its use. Archaeologists identified grain silos, rock-cut cellars and cisterns for storing water — features typical of a self-sufficient hilltop settlement with no permanent access to running water.

Today visitors can see the remains of the defensive walls, the three distinctive towers, and the outline of the former houses scattered among typical Provençal garrigue vegetation — kermes oak and wild thyme. From the top, the view stretches over the Paradou valley and the surrounding Alpilles ridge.

Why was the settlement abandoned?

Inhabitants gradually moved a few hundred metres north, to the spot that is now the centre of the village of Paradou. Difficulties accessing water on the hilltop, along with shifting economic and defensive needs in the late Middle Ages, pushed the population down toward the fields and travel routes below. The hill with its towers was left behind, and its ruins have survived to this day as a record of the earlier settlement.

How do you get there?

Tours de Castillon lies within the commune of Paradou, in the heart of the Alpilles, not far from Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and Les Baux-de-Provence. A walking trail starting near the village leads up to the site through the rocky landscape typical of the Alpilles. Sturdy walking shoes, water and sun protection are worth bringing, since the path offers little shade along the way.

When should you visit?

Spring (April to June) and early autumn (September to October) are the best times to visit, when temperatures are mild and the Alpilles vegetation is at its best. Summer heat in this part of Provence can be intense, especially on an exposed hilltop with no tree cover, so a morning visit is the better choice.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee? No — the site is an open-air archaeological ruin reached on foot, with no ticket booth or fixed opening hours typical of paid attractions.

How long does a visit take? Exploring the towers themselves takes 20–30 minutes, but including the walk up from Paradou and back, plan for about 1.5–2 hours.

Can this be combined with other Alpilles attractions? Yes — the site sits close to Les Baux-de-Provence and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, making it easy to build a full day out around several stops in the Alpilles range.

Is the site suitable for children? The uneven, rocky terrain and lack of barriers around the ruins call for supervision, but older children used to walking trails will manage without difficulty.