grand dual staircase ramp to access them. A private balcony overlooking the chapel of the church was also added to allow the Lord to participate in services out of sight. In 1750, Louis-Roch de Forbin, a brilliant officer of the king, retired to La Verdière. For seventeen years, extensive work was undertaken and give the building the appearance it has today. The house and castle was converted into a real pleasure including a 40 m long terrace, six lounges, a dining room, two kitchens, a ballroom measuring over 20 m long, a library, an archives room, many rooms with dependencies, e.g. bathrooms, rooms for domestic, lingerie, etc. The castle and its grounds were fully classified in 1986 as historical monuments. The history of the castle and the village of La Verdière are strongly linked. The inhabitants were constantly made to work, which gave rise to many complaints, especially in the fifteenth century when a compromise was reached between the residents and the Lord of Castellane. Not shaken by the wars, the castle of La Verdière knew few. The wars of religion (1562–1598), where the Lords of La Verdière were very active, left little legacy to the building, except the church which was destroyed. The French Revolution did more damage. In the absence of Louis-Roch de Forbin, villagers plundered the castle which was then added to the national property confiscated by the new regime. The castle after losing doors, windows and roof was in danger of demolition, the department promised 30,000 francs to demolish it. The destruction threatened homes below. The subsequent revolutions (1830, 1848 and 1870) were more lenient. One event, however, was long remembered; in 1851, a revolutionary contingent visiting Aups where an insurrection was taking place, stopped at La Verdière. On the orders of the Colonel in charge of troops, eight hundred men, infantry and artillery, were housed within the walls of the castle. Eleven centuries of fascinating history are now embodied in the castle. It has recently been rescued from a state of ruin. See also Communes of the Var department References Communes of Var (department)