You can't avoid Charols as you leave the plain towards the east since its bridge is the only point in the area where you can cross the river Roubion. The village no doubt developed because of its nearness to the river. Initially it was on a fortified mound to the south and then around a priory, called Saint Jean-Baptiste, which was built around the 8th century.
Local tradition and documents suggest that a number of distinguished visitors have passed through Charols, including the emperor Frédéric Barberousse, François I, Louis XIII and the Marquess of Sévigné on her way to nearby Grignan.
One story tells how the future Louis XI, the Dauphin, en route to his chateau at Sauzet, was saved from drowning by a man from Charols as he tried to ford the river which had been swelled by flooding.
In memory of the rescue, when his son Charles VIII was crowned in 1484 a stone engraved with this date was placed on the keystone of a new bridge's arch (see picture above). This is now in the hall of the municipal council.
Seen from the ancient fortified mound, the house facades of old Charols look like a theatre backdrop to the games of pétanque that are often played out in front. For an easy walk near the river, leave the village centre and follow the path along its wooded banks.
Charols
Code postal
: 26450
Mairie : 04 75 90 15 77
Fax : 04 75 90 48 81
Mardi, jeudi et samedi
de 9h à 12h Courriel
Nom
Provençal Charoù
Histoire
Carrovolis (956)
"village des carrefours"
Habitants : 697
Altitude : 240
m
Latitude : 44N.35.31
Longitude : 4E.57.12
Rendez-vous annuels
1er week-end de juillet, Fête votive
1er dimanche de mars :
Grand Prix Cycliste de Charols
Début août tous les deux ans :
exposition artisanale
Concours de boules
Sports
et loisirs
Football - Boules - Tennis
Chorale - Randonnées pédestres
Activités Agriculture - Haras- Aviculture
(Charols est une des capitales de la production d'oeufs).
Artisans - Maison de retraite
Commerces
Chambres d'hôtes - Gîtes
Infirmier
