Villecroze

Overview

A village of the Provence verte known for its developed troglodyte caves and its waterfall in a communal park; joined the PNR in 2025.

Where to stay in Villecroze

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Services & shops in Villecroze

EV charging — in the village: VILLECROZE (4 points), network ELECTRIC 55 CHARGING. See the map of Verdon charging points →

Food & groceries

• Épicerie du village
• Chez Karine

Bakery

• Le Pain Doré

Health (doctor, nurse…)

• Médecin généraliste

Post office

• agence postale communale, place Victor-Espitalier

Tobacconist & newsagent

• Bar-Tabac des Grottes

Other

• Plusieurs caveaux et boutiques de domaines viticoles
• Salons de coiffure, institut de beauté, laverie et artisans d'art

Spa, massage & wellness

• Épisode Bien-Être

Services verified on 2026-07-07.

What to see, what to do

Troglodyte caves (fortified caves) of Villecroze

Cavities carved into the tufa, formed by the slow calcification of plants and mosses beneath a former waterfall. Originally used by Benedictine monks as a refuge during the Saracen raids (10th century), then fortified around 1566 by the lord Nicolas d'Albertas, who fitted out a defensive residence there taking advantage of the impregnable site. Across five levels one finds mullioned windows, loopholes, a passage behind the waterfall, two small basins and fine rock formations. Classified as a natural site and monument since 1924. Paid visit with mandatory online booking (full price €5); access forbidden to children under 6 for safety reasons.

Waterfall and municipal park

A waterfall about 35 m high at the foot of the cliffs, in a municipal park of about 2 hectares laid out at the foot of the limestone hills.

Old medieval village

An old core with arcades and narrow lanes, with several fountains. A campanile set on a former keep.

Clock Tower

A bell tower carrying a bell dated 1509.

Chapel of Saint-Victor

A 12th-century chapel, a former dependency linked to the religious orders; it now hosts concerts.

Former church of Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Douleurs

A Romanesque building of the 11th-12th centuries.

Commandery of the Ruou

A former Templar commandery (founded around 1150-1155), later turned into a ceramics workshop (terracotta floor tiles and glazed tiles); today a private estate.

History of Villecroze

The area has been occupied since prehistoric times (Neolithic sites) and then in the Gallo-Roman period, near the road connecting Fréjus to Riez. In the 11th century, Villecroze belonged to a joint seigneury shared between the Castellane family and the Saint-Victor Abbey of Marseille. In 1150-1155, neighbouring lords gave the Ruou estate to the Templars, who established a commandery there; the property later passed to the Hospitallers (Order of Saint John of Jerusalem). Until the Revolution, the joint seigneury combined the Saint-Victor Abbey and the Order of Saint John. In 1566, the lord Nicolas d'Albertas fortified the caves. The commune experienced a demographic decline until the end of the 20th century (about 1,384 inhabitants in 1793, a low point of around 1,087 in 1999) before a recovery; population of about 1,514 inhabitants in 2023.