Built at the top of a magnificent tuff cliff (80m high by 400m wide), they dominate the medieval roofs of the village of Cotignac to better protect them.
Formerly, in the Middle Ages, they had a very particular vocation. The smaller one served as a watchtower, while the larger one was part of the feudal castle (built in the 11th century apparently by the Castellane family) which sat at the top of the cliff.

From up there, the view embraces the entire plain to the south which extends as far as Entrecasteaux and Carcès. Thus we could see the troops of the invaders fairly early on or, at the very least, the signs announcing their imminent arrival.
The large tower has the particularity of having a “secret passage” communicating with the troglodytic cave dug into the cliff. Thus, during attacks, the inhabitants climbed into the cave then went up to take refuge in the fortifications at the top of the cliff. Moreover, before the construction of the castle, during the centuries of terror which stretched between the fall of the Roman Empire and the flight of the Saracens from Provence, the local people (the village at that time was located near of Saint Martin priory) quickly climbed to take refuge in the caves when danger arrived.

Translated by Google •

Joël

October 16, 2023

When you are in Cotignac facing the cliff, all you want to do is go up and see the two towers that dominate.

Translated by Google •

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Elevation 310 m

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Location: Cotignac, Brignoles, Var, Provence-Alpes-Côte D'Azur, France

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