The first feudal castle was more of an aristocratic house. The village grew up around this castle, on a rocky outcrop that was easy to defend and had ramparts dating from the late 13th and 14th centuries.
The gates were removed in 1622 by order of Charles-Emmanuel, Duke of Savoy. He ordered the ramparts to be destroyed and the gates removed in retaliation against César Grimaldi, the Lord of Levens and his vassal.