La Chapelle Saint-Maxime

The Colostre is a biological reservoir of great importance for lower Verdon and Durance. But it lost its beauty during the twentieth century, from a bed in braids to a more straight and steep path. If the number of fish species has decreased, the river and its valley still shelter some emblematic species such as the Beaver or the Small Horseshoe bat. A restoration project is under way to restore its good functioning and all its vitality.

1 / You are on the L. Gardiol path: look up. The attic of the village houses often had a dovecote, facing south. We can notice the flight grid surrounded by green and brown glazed tiles.

St. Maximus, patron of Riez, was bishop of the city in the fifth century. His cult is celebrated in all areas and his name has remained attached to many places. This hill overlooking the city bears its name, as the source springs halfway up. One naturally lends therapeutic virtues to this source. Tradition has it that its waters cure the eye ailments that were formerly attributed to its low rate of limestone.

The dominant view extends over the village, the Colostre lowland and in the distance the main peaks of Provence, from here we can see the Lure mountain which culminates at 1826m.

It is hard to believe that the site was occupied several times, as nothing remains of this occupation. In the past, however, there was a group of houses, a church erected as a cathedral and the palace of the bishops of Riez. Today, only the small chapel Saint-Maxime seems to watch over the place. It dates from 1655. At his side, a small congregation of the Order of Poor Clares maintains the religious tradition.

Of a rather remarkable size, these pines, a hundred years old, are accompanied in the center of the esplanade by two chestnut trees and two lime trees. If their regular layout on the edge of the esplanade may suggest that they were planted here, the Aleppo pines are however perfectly in their place in Riez. With the holm oak (seen in the thickets around), this pine is the other tree species characteristic of the Mediterranean forest.

Like many villages of Provence, the city of Riez has moved a lot, alternating situation of lowland and "perching" . One can think, without having the formal proof, that the first inhabitants of the place (the Reii, who gave their name to the present city) had invested the heights of Saint-Maxime hill. Natural opium, at the junction of two fertile valleys (those of Auvestre and Colostre), the site is ideal: all at once accessible and protected.