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Seal of the Master
of Templar Knights Rainaldus de Vicherio
"D'or à un sureau de sinople fleuri d'argent"
(Coat of Arms of the Castle of Méouilles)
It was during the 12th
century that the Castrum de Mezella was erected by the
Templar Knights to defend the Verdon valley against the marauding
Moorish invaders of Arabia. Due to it's strategic position
overlooking the surrounding countryside, the knoll of Méouilles
had been inhabited by numerous settlers, most notably the Celts who
left many artifacts, including tombs and many bronze items.
In 1125, local records show
that a certain Raimon Béranger
visited the castle of Méouilles
on Saint Nicholas day to substantiate legal proceedings against M.
Guilhem de Rumoules.
The Templar Cross
Following the destruction
of the Templar knights ordered by the French King Philippe le Bel in
1307, the castle and its surrounding lands was purchased by a rich
local family, the Ailhaud de Méouille, who reigned on the territory of Méouilles
for many centuries. The castle was greatly modified under their
ownership, with extra rooms built, and the castle gaining a more
civilian rather than military architecture.
Coat of Arms of the
Ailhaud de Meouilles
During the 13th century,
the inhabitants of Méouilles
founded the nearby village of Saint André,
which nowadays boasts a population of nearly 1000.
Adjacent to the castle, is
Saint Martin's church. The parish of Méouilles
was part of the diocese of Senez, famous for its 17th century
Jansenist bishop, Jean Soanen. Many bishops lodged in the castle
during the colorful religious ceremonies, and in one case, local
parish records recount the visit of a bishop in 1891, accompanied by
the holy relics of Saint Peter and Saint Paul prior to them being
enshrined in the altar stone of the small church.
Map of Meouilles (Cassini
1750)
In 1892, the two statues of
Saint Peter and Saint Paul were erected during the patron's saint
feast day the 29th of June.
In 1912, the castle was
used as a Girl's holiday camp.
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