Photo by L. Barbe for La Provence Verte. The website features more photos.
The precise origins of the "castrum" are unknown. It first gets mentioned in 1040. It was destroyed in 1150, but rebuilt and occupied until the 15th century. At that date, the village the castle was supposed to protect, Rougiers, was relocated (something that happened a lot in Provence due to karstification) and the castle was abandoned and ultimately fell into ruins.
The location is of particular archeological interest: Rougiers is one of the biggest excavations of an early medieval settlement in France.
If it makes you feel better the rest of the year I live in a flat, grey, cold, wet and miserable place (the Netherlands 🤣)
I appreciate the sentiment, but my living situation is not all that much better. 😅
If only we could be in a small café above the Lac de Sainte-Croix right now, have a croissant and a coffee...