When the tourist train Carnoules – Brignoles stops at the level crossing with road D15, prior to entering the village of Sainte Anastasie, you will to the south-west on a hilltop see the ruines of the castle Castellas.
The area of the castle, which overlooks a part of the Issole valley to the north and the villages of Garéoult, Forcalqueiret and Rocbaron to the south and west, had human settlements already during the Iron Age.
A castle was built on the site during the 11th century and substantially modified during the 15th century. It became one of the most important Middle Age Provencal military buildings. After Provence having been integrated with France in 1481, it was twice during the 16th century besieged by the Spanish army, but resisted. It served during the War of Religions a military function.
The castle was abandoned after the French Revolution
in 1789 and is now largely a ruin, despite various efforts during the
last few decades to restore parts of it. The castle ruins are for
security reasons not accessible by visitors, but there is a small
exhibition in the Forcalqueiret town hall - Salle du Castellas - with
objects found in the castle yard as well as photos and historical
fact sheets.
