Friday, July 30, 2010.
Discover Gréoux
Along the water's edge
Relaxation
Info pratical
La Maison de Pauline
This house dates from 1827. Numerous donations from Gryseliens have allowed it to regain its original style and it now houses furniture, china, linen and documents from this period. Today, it is a museum dedicated to art and local tradition.
CHURCHES AND CHAPELS
Notre Dame des Ormeaux
Named after elms planted in front of the church, it was built in romanistic style, between the 11th and 12th century. But, from the 14th century to the 16th century, this church was transformed with gothic influence. The bell tower dates from 1821 and was built using the remains of ramparts of the 16th century. It is crowned by a campanile.
Little hill top chapel. There is believed to be an old tradition where women who wanted a child, went up to the chapel with an egg in each hand during Easter Monday, they would then eat one and bury the other on site. Their wish would be fulfilled if, at the second visit (8th September), they found their second egg still intact at the same place where it had been buried.
Nice vantage point on the village.
La Chapelle Saint Sébastien
Built in glory to the Saint Patron of Gréoux, of which a celebration occurs in January. This chapel is no longer used for worship, and the original Saint Sebastian bust reliquary is now at the Notre Dame Des Ormeaux church.
La Chapelle Ste Croix.
Built between 1696 and 1700, it owes on origins to the Capucins of Riez.
THE TOWN WALLS AND DOORS
Greoux's earliest rampart follows Rue de la Vière. It was erected only to protect the castle and its annexes. The actual village was built outside this defensive wall.
The 16th century rampart
The Lord of Gréoux allowed the village to build a wall which would incorporate the whole settlement – unlike the first ramparts – built to protect villagers from travellers who might carry the plague.
WANDERING AROUND THE STREETS
Passage de l'Hôpital
A passageway carved out of rock, where passer-by’s could shelter and enjoy a bowl of soup offered by the religious order.
Rue Rompe Cuou
Literally means "Bum Bruiser". This alleyway was paved with pebbles from the Verdon river made slippery by centuries of polishing under water.
Rue Esquichecoude
The word "esquichecoude" means this street is so narrow you bang both elbows on its walls when you walk through it.
Andrône
This is a stone-lined tunnel equivalent to the "traboules" in Lyon.