Vins-Sur-Caramy and its château stand on a rocky spur above the Caramy Valley. Historic architecture and Provençal festival traditions shape the range of things to see and do: the Old Bridge, the Château de Vins and the Saint Vincent festival each offer a different point of interest. When planning, it is worth considering the historic structures, river views and festival dates as separate highlights.
Building history between the bridge and the château
The Old Bridge is a humpback bridge with three vaulted arches. It was built in the 1660s to replace an earlier medieval wooden bridge. It has been listed as a French historic monument since February 2, 1931. The listing indicates its protected monument status, not the year it was built.
The known origins of the Château de Vins date back to the first half of the 16th century. Its architecture combines features of a medieval fortress with residential architecture typical of the Renaissance. The château therefore brings together different architectural traditions. It also hosts cultural activities, including concerts, exhibitions, artist residencies, and offerings in visual arts, music and dance.
The two structures offer different historical highlights: the Old Bridge stands out for its construction period and form, while the château is notable for its known origins and its combination of fortress features with Renaissance residential architecture.
Village walk and views over the Caramy Valley
From the banks of the Caramy, you can enjoy views of the Old Bridge and the château amid the Provençal countryside and cypress trees. A walk through the village leads from the church square to the square near the château. From the riverbanks, both structures can be seen together against the landscape; the village walk leads from the church square to a square near the château. You can therefore choose between different perspectives on the village and its historic structures: views from the riverbanks or a route through the village.
Saint Vincent and other festival dates
The festival tradition offers two different dates. Saint Vincent is celebrated every year on January 22 in honour of the patron saint of winegrowers. Since 1986, the festival has included a procession through village streets decorated in the Provençal colours of red and yellow; participants wear traditional Provençal dress. At the celebration or at the end of the grape harvest, a large loaf of bread is blessed in the church and shared among the winegrowers.
Another occasion is the Saint-Christophe fair in July, after which drivers and their vehicles are blessed. If you would like to plan your stay around a festival, note the difference between the dates: Saint Vincent falls on January 22 every year, while the vehicle blessing follows the fair in July.
Cultural activities throughout the year
The Château de Vins offers candlelit tours in July and August. Check the specific dates before your visit. A free, geolocated audio-guide tour accessible via QR code was announced for July 20, 2026, to help visitors explore the local heritage. Check in advance whether it is still available. The tours are limited to July and August; confirm that the audio guide is currently available.
The cultural offerings take different forms: the château combines historic architecture with concerts, exhibitions, artist residencies, and activities in visual arts, music and dance. Festival days add local traditions to the experience, while the bridge, château and riverbanks offer their own perspectives on the village’s history and landscape.
Discover more destinations: Cuers, Callian, Pierrefeu-Du-Var, Puget-Ville, Saint-Tropez, Bargemon, Sollies-Toucas, La Motte
View the wider travel guide: Var.
