Fort Freinet is a castrum, a medieval fortified village.
The fortified site of La Garde-Freinet covers an area of around 1,200 m², stretching over a large part of the hill overlooking the village. It is surrounded by a wide moat to the north. Occupying the top of the hill, the castle extends over a 120 m² esplanade. It is clearly separated from the village below by a street, the first on the medieval path. Comprising some forty huts, half of which have already been cleared, the village is arranged in a semicircle on 3 or 4 levels on the north-western slope. CAUTION steep path!
While the origins of this castrum remain obscure, the circumstances of its destruction are well known. In November 1589, as the Wars of Religion raged, Captain Montant, on the orders of Marshal de La Valette, then Lieutenant-General to the Duke of Epernon, forced the inhabitants to dismantle the castle to prevent the Huguenots from taking it over.
The castrum consisted of 3 sectors:
- the castle at the top of the hill,
- the village on the southern flank of the cliff,
- an outpost on an isolated summit.
The originality of this site lies in the art with which its builders made use of the rock. The inhabitants did more than just adapt to the mineral environment, they adapted it to their needs, taking advantage of the slightest accidents in the terrain to build their homes.
Fort Freinet is classified as an outstanding natural site.