Fleur des Alpes : unforgettable getaway in La brigue

Walk on the southern slope of Mount Chaberta through the restanques of the old Brigasque vineyard. The path is located just opposite the village with great views. Departure from the La Brigue information office. Head towards the entrance to the village, towards the SNCF station. Just before, on the right you will find beacon 45. Continue following the path that climbs towards Lubaira. After about ten minutes you will find a sign indicating on the right the path of the sun walking on a level curve. Continue to the next intersection, go down a few meters, then find the rest of the path just after the oratory dedicated to Saint Peter. The village is before your eyes, you can observe the Château Lascaris, the bell tower of the Collegiate Church of Saint Martin... Follow the path which passes through a small wood. At the exit of this wood, continue until the next intersection then go down on the left towards the center of the village. Ensure your footing when crossing the footbridge. If the gate is closed, close it again after your passage.

Easy walk from the village with a beautiful viewpoint Enter the medieval village of the village to access marker 47 at Place Casali. A calada climb (pebble paving) then leads you to the ruins of the Lascaris castle. Follow the path until a small intersection between vegetable gardens; take the one that keeps going up. Pass in front of a pink house and reach the beacon 43; it is necessary to continue to follow the path which goes up on the left. You then arrive on part of the GR52A. In the direction of marker 43, go through ten switchbacks which zig-zag in floors as you progress. You are higher than the Saint Martin collegiate church. At the level of the tag 43, continue the path straight towards the village in an undergrowth which opens after a few meters on the famous Saint Valentin plateau, also called "first plateau". You come out on old planks that were once cultivated ... walk towards the panorama which is clearer at the level of the pylon. Enjoy the view! Return by the same path or by the second plateau: The second plateau is the one we see overtaking on the right; at the cost of half an hour's walk and an additional 150 meters of vertical drop, reaching the 243 beacon and possible descent through the Riodore valley to the 250 beacon. Be careful, this path is frequented by herds, it is very very steep!

A valley, the Roya, a village, La Brigue and a chapel, Notre Dame des Fontaines la Sixtine des Alpes, for this walk which will take you as close as possible to the mysterious springs of this place. Before leaving the village heading east, check with the tourist office that visiting Notre-Dame-des-Fontaines is possible on the day of your hike. Contact (+33) 04 83 93 95 50 Pass a large pink building and the fire station on the Chemin de St Jean. At the level of the tennis court, start of the path just behind, indicated by a yellow marking which and rises gently always in the direction of the East. The path continues on a level curve then takes a footbridge and joins an old lime kiln. Two hundred meters after this, the path straightens up to gain 70 m in altitude and then goes up the Madone valley. A descent allows you to reach a footbridge which allows you to get back on the road. Very close to the right is Notre-Dame-des Fontaines. If the visit is possible, we strongly recommend it. Return by the same route or by road to appreciate the Pont du Coq and the oratories along the road.

Wild loop between La Brigue and Tende Departure from the village of La Brigue by waypoint 49, follow the direction of Col de Boselia (or Boseille in French). This solitary and landlocked valley opens up little by little and lets its landscapes reveal themselves, to the south Marta's balcony closes the territory of La Brigue. Notice on your left as you go up the ruins of a Ca ’d'Arbine: a bee house, the typical apiaries of Upper Roya, a few remain active today. Continue to climb and pass the sign 284 (966 meters). A few switchbacks through restored ruins cross and climb to the left to the Boselia pass * at 1,111 meters. From the pass, continue in the direction of tag 286 (west) following a path through the woods, parallel to the track below. You then come out on a ridge path which joins a telephone pylon, enjoy the view of La Brigue, Tende and Saint Dalmas de Tende. Finally join the tag 51 at the Lubaïra pass to begin the descent. On your way, notice the fortified works of Vallo Alpino, camouflaged in the cliffs located under the pylon, forgotten remains of the defensive system set up by the Italians between 1930 and 1940. You will also find numerous climbing routes all along the route. descent to La Brigue. You then pass over the SNCF train station and arrive at marker 45 at the entrance to the village. * Arrived at the Boselia pass, it is possible to reach Mount Chaberta at 1,286 meters, this rocky peak occupying a central and dominant position between La Brigue, Tende and Saint Dalmas de Tende but, beware the path is not marked and presents vertiginous drop-offs! Descent to the Boselia pass recommended.

A superb hike on the heights of La Brigue and Saint Dalmas de Tende as well as on the main mountains of Haute Roya. Departure from Place Saint Martin at the town hall of La Brigue. Head towards beacon 43, passing behind the chapel of the Annunciation. Follow the path and pass the intersection in the same direction towards the climb under the fir trees. At the beacon turn left then just after turn right. The climb begins, a dozen switchbacks take you up to the Saint Valentin plateau. At the beacon, turn right uphill between the rocks. Follow the climb and pass beacon 243 towards the lower Arpèse. At beacon 244, head to the right through the trees, then on leaving the undergrowth join a small path which rises towards the summit of Riodore. The path follows the ridge, always straight. When the slope stops it gives way to a flat: you have arrived. The summit of Riodore offers a superb panorama of the surrounding villages and the mountain cirque that locks the Haute Roya. There may be a little wind. Return by the same path with the possibility of a variant by following the Riodore plateau to the right at beacon 243; follow the yellow marks of the descent towards the valley after the ruins. Few landmarks and very steep descent, be careful!

Beautiful walk from La Brigue to reach Tende. Start at marker 49 (772 m.), And continually follow marker 50 to set off into the Boseille valley on a stony and uncovered path. Pass point 841 and continue in the direction of marker 284; on the left one can observe the ruins of an old House of Bees (Ca of Arbine in brigasque), a typical construction of the upper Roya. Cross old farm boards to point 966 to reach marker 284. On the left, the path will then cross land with ruins and other small dwellings. On the right dominates Mount Bergiorin and on the left Mount Chaberta. Just before arriving at the Col de Boseille, the path turns into a small track to follow up to the tag 285. At the level of the flat formed by the col (1111m.), Turn right towards the village of Tende , towards the marker 60. The path runs along an undergrowth to lead to an open part offering the first views of Tende, below we can see the Roya river. At beacon 60 go down to beacon 61 at the Eagle Monument. Follow the direction of the 63 beacon which will bring you back to the road. Walk up the street to the main avenue in the village of Tende. The Tende Museum of Wonders and Information Office is 200 meters uphill to the right.

An air of GR on the heights of Roya ... From the ruins of Château Lascaris at the beacon 47, follow the path that climbs towards the Arpèse drop (1288 m.) Passing by the beacon 43 (intersection). Always follow the path that rises and lets you discover the landscape around the village of La Brigue. After tag 46, a plateau offers a beautiful panorama of the natural setting in which the village is nestled. The woods and the forest give way to a rocky climb via the tag 243 (possibility of going back down to the village by following the path at the intersection), locality of Riodore where we find ruins and old agricultural boards. Finally, the drop to Arpèse at the level of beacon 244, continue towards the drop of Peluna beacon 245, following a track for 500 m. There you will find an oratory and a small green square. These old tracks were used for military purposes, and the area is full of casemates and other fortified structures that can still be visited (provide adequate equipment, beware of risks). Then follow the forest track slightly uphill (rocks and gravel, DFCI sign) from the top of Durasca towards point 1437 towards the south. As you progress, the landscapes of the Roya valley are revealed; when you arrive at the Durasca pass (flat similar to a drop), do not hesitate to follow a secondary track slanting to the right which will lead you to a viewpoint (point 1485) at the top of the Durasca summit, guaranteed panorama. Retrace your steps to take the trail back down. At the next bend, enjoy the view of the top of Marta. Continue on the track until you find a path that goes to the right (via point 1320) to reach the oratory of the Géréon drop, towards the 251 beacon. It is from this drop that you can reach the famous Balcony of Marta. At this level the direction to follow is a one kilometer track which descends towards the markers 246 and 247 and which begins the descent towards the bottom of the valley of Meurgiora, until the marker 248. Follow the track to find the road.

Panoramic hike that will take you off the beaten track, for hikers accustomed to walking outside official markings. Departure * from the Ugail drop at 1,392 meters, accessible by car from the hamlet of Morignole via a track in good condition (approximately 6 kilometers). Park at the Ugail drop. Then head west opposite the 300 beacon. An unmarked trailhead goes through coniferous wood and climbs towards the crest of Ugail, use points 1 398; 1441; 1,618 and 1,666 on the “Vallée de la Roya” map TOP 25 n ° 3841 to find your way around; still heading west. This steep path gains height and will simply follow the ridge to its highest point (1666), presenting breathtaking views over the Pia Valley to the north, while to the southeast Mont Bertrand and Mont Saccarel are watching us… Watch out for vertiginous drops! Little by little, the scenery is revealed, Mount Bergiorin looms due west with its dominant and central position, between La Brigue and Tende. To continue, stay on the trail for the last part, which descends slightly, leaving the forest at point 1631 before the last straight line to the Bergiorin summit plateau at 1679 meters. The mountain then offers a magnificent 360-degree panorama of the two most eastern towns in the south of France, dominated by the massifs that close the upper Roya. You can observe Mount Bego, the Col de Tende and its Fort, Castel Tournou, the Marguareis massif, the Tanarel pass, the Marta balcony and the Roya valley in a succession of slopes plunging towards the bottom of The valley. Binoculars strongly recommended ... and don't forget to add your stone to the cairn! * Possibility of "attacking" via the Boselia pass at 1,111 meters (track accessible from Tende, possibility of parking), the path is shorter but steeper, with more elevation (600 m.) And not shaded, therefore not recommended in high heat.

An easy and pleasant route to discover the medieval village of La Brigue, somewhat away from the Roya Valley. A "fresh" route on the old path that linked Saint-Dalmas-de-Tende to La Brigue ... From the station, join the RN6204. Follow this road, turning right in the direction of Ventimiglia, go through the tunnel and then, after the shops (butcher's, grocer's), take the first road on the left which leads to the other side of the Roya via a small bridge (signposted "Sainte-Anne, chemin des Terris"). Cross the Roya bridge at marker 40 and take the small tarmac road to the right, which climbs slightly to reach marker 41. Turn left and follow the signs for "La Brigue". Follow a track until you reach a house where the Sainte-Anne trail begins. The route passes through gullies at the level of the Porcaresso cliffs, then near an abandoned railway shelter. After reaching marker 42, continue straight on towards La Brigue, through the Armaneïra forest. You'll find the ruins of the chapel of Sainte Anne. Pass the oratory of Saint Valentin, and at marker 43, descend into the village. The finish line is at marker 44 near the Collegiate Church, in front of the Place de la Mairie. Take time to visit La Brigue through the narrow streets.

An easy itinerary that offers a bird's-eye view of the village of Tende.

A Sunday walk for the Saorgians, ideally situated for a picnic break or a snack with the children, a siesta or a meditative contemplation in front of the beauty of the slopes sculpted with restanques and the wild canyon of the Bendola. This pretty country chapel is one of the many chapels built in the Roya in the 17th century during the Counter-Reformation. Located on an overhang overlooking the Bendola valley, it is preceded by a vaulted porch. The roof on a masonry vault has a particularity that is frequent on the "casouns" (small houses outside the villages) of the Roya with a shape known as a "gendarme hat". Its watertightness is ensured by a layer of lime mortar, which follows the curve of the extrados, softened as it reaches the side walls. Overlooking a magnificent site sculpted with restanques, perpendicular to the slope, it would have been raised following a vow. An annual mass was celebrated there by the Saorgians, in the presence of the town council, on 14 September, until the Second World War. The Sainte-Croix chapel is easily reached from Saorge from the Monastery, by the path "Derrière le couvent" which is also the itinerary of the panoramic GR 52A between La Brigue and Saorge: half an hour walking quietly, and contemplating the restanques which sculpted the mountains into as many staircases and where the peasants of yesteryear cultivated rye and rustic wheat. You will contemplate the steep canyon of the Bendola, one of the most difficult in Europe, to be done over two days, a deep cut towards the cross-border mountains, Marta, Petravechia and Torragio.

Completed around 1498 after a terrible fire, this church in the County of Nice was "baroque" in the 18th century. You will be struck by the slender grandeur of its decorum of stuccoes, rocailles, gilding, and its shades of mauve and salmon.

Cosy bistro/restaurant/grocery shop in the heart of the historic village of Saorge. Traditional, carefully prepared cuisine which knows how to be creative, using as many local and/or organic ingredients as possible, with short circuit. As its name suggests, this establishment, which used to be the village bakery, is now a grocery bistro. Here you can eat simple but well-made dishes and, if necessary, buy the basic products of the regional cuisine. It is a friendly place in the centre of the village, with a small terrace and a very pleasant atmosphere.

Local mountain guide Thibaud Duffey and painter Eloïse Belliard propose an unforgettable experience: "painting the wonders" at Fontanalbe. "Aux couleurs du printemps" and "Aux couleurs d'automne". Day 1: Crunching the landscapes (8km; +600m) Meet at 10am at Castérino, the gateway to the Mercantour in the commune of Tende, with your picnic. The climb to the Fontanalbe refuge in the Mercantour will be a gentle one, between marmot plateaus, larch forests and river banks, mineral environments. We'll make several stops to learn how to sketch a variety of mountain landscapes. In spring or autumn, away from the tourist rush, you'll discover surprising color palettes and learn a lot about life in these places. Day 2: Immersion in the mysterious Fontanalbe Valley (+-6km, +300m -300m) We'll set off at dawn for a short hike in the best light. We'll stop for a few hours to start painting (bring sun protection / cool morning wind). morning wind). In the afternoon, we'll take you to the mysterious Fontanalbe valley, in the Bego archaeological reserve, engraved with 40,000 strange motifs from the Neolithic and Bronze Age. The uncommon scenery and ambience of this magnificent site, situated between 2000 and 2500 m, will lead us to stop and soak up these shapes and colors and put them down on paper, before returning to the refuge. Day 3: Descent into the Roya (6km; +600m) Return to Castérino via a wilder itinerary, with other views to capture on canvas.

The large dimensions of this elegant station make it possible to accommodate the staff needed to operate a line whose traffic is shared between SNCF and Trenitalia.

This bell tower with its twin openings, very characteristic of the first Romanesque art, is the only surviving vestige of the ancient priory Sanctis Johannes. It is not visited but is visible from the road. The chapel and annexes were destroyed in 1707 by the army of Prince Eugene retreating after their defeat before Toulon. Philippe de Beauchamp says "early 12th-century bell tower, vestige of a Benedictine church still in use in 1667, destroyed in 1707 by the Imperials, set in a beautiful site". According to Charles Botton, the chapel was destroyed in 1707. Gave its name to the Saint Jean district Tegulae incorporated into the bell tower Ancient tombs found in the district.

This tower overlooking the locality bears the name of the birds of prey, "cruel" species of hawks, which nestled in the hollows of the rocky ridge on which it is built. Edifiée par les comtes de Vintimille quand ils prennent possession des bourgs de la Roya. En 1258, trois de leurs descendants cèdent cette turris Cruellam à Charles de Provence. Ce nom de "Turris Cruellam " figure dans la charte de 1258 par laquelle le Comte de Provence devient maître de Breil. Pendant des siècles, dominant tous les accès menant à Breil sur Roya, elle est la gardienne de la cité. En 1940, les éclaireurs-skieurs alpins qui s'y sont retranchés stoppent la progression des troupes italiennes qui tentent de prendre la ville et ses installations ferroviaires. Entièrement restaurée par des bénévoles breillois et irlandais, la Tour a aujourd'hui retrouvé sa beauté d'antan. Un circuit de randonnée est proposé pour s'y rendre. Arrivé à la tour une table d'orientation vous fait découvrir un magnifique panoramique, d'où l'on aperçois Piène Haute et Saorge.

Dating back to the Middle Ages, with the wall that led to it, it is the last vestige of the ramparts that encircled the ancient city and the three doors through which one entered it. Until 1814 it closed the way coming from Free the Genoese..

Chapel at the end of the village at the foot of olive groves. Opened occasionally during specific celebrations. Possibility to see it from the outside all year round. Covered with a lauze roof, this chapel is raised in the 17th century by the doctor Horace Cottalorda. In the centre of the altarpiece, a canvas depicting the Virgin and the Child between Saint Anthony and Saint Eloi rises above the altar. This chapel is the seat of the confraternity of Saint Anthony. La Soucétà Briiencà l'entretien and celebrates a Mass there every year. At the end of the service the participants gather around a meal shared with the Breilloises culinary specialties. Built a few meters from the Gate of Genoa, the chapel allowed travelers to make their devotions before crossing the ramparts.

Archaeological discoveries prove that the site of Breil sur Roya is inhabited since the Neolithic era.

Ca d'Arbine Atypical building housing beehives; beekeeping. Visible from the outside. One can be found in the village itself, the Ca d'Arbine of the Bishop of the 17th century typical construction on the territory, these private houses allow the installation of many hives within their walls. Thus, the hives are protected from various natural and animal hazards, the bees are protected. Sometimes built in a semi oval, they allow to concentrate the heat of the sun's rays... To discover at the Museum of Heritage and Traditions Brigasques: a room dedicated to beekeeping, with its living hive.

Technical prowess or devil's bridge? This bent bridge is very curious… At the beginning of the 18th century, the previous medieval bridge was destroyed by a flood of the Levenza River. In 1710, the Cometto masons, father and son, originally from Lugano, rebuilt the current bridge, which consists of a large, semicircular arch over the Levenza River with a significant diameter of 14.20 meters to withstand floods. On the right bank, a ramp on arches connects the current road (RD 43) and the bridge, crossing the floodable meadows at an angle of 110°. On the other hand, the left bank is simply connected by an extension of the roadway. The roadway, about 2.60 meters wide, has an extra width in the junction angle between the bridge and the north ramp to facilitate the rotation of harnessed carts. The structure is built in jointed rubble masonry and the roadway is covered with a pebble pavement, typical of the region. Additionally, masonry parapets were added afterwards to frame the roadway. One of the most popular legends about the Pont du Coq in La Brigue tells that once upon a time, the village was regularly attacked by bandits coming from the mountains. The villagers then decided to build a bridge to facilitate their escape in case of an attack. However, they did not have enough stones to complete the construction, and the bridge was about to be abandoned. One morning, a rooster appeared at the construction site and started scratching the ground with its feet. The villagers took it as a sign and dug up the place where the rooster had scratched, and they found a large amount of stones that were used to complete the bridge's construction. Since that day, the rooster became the symbol of the bridge, in recognition for its help. Another legend tells that a dragon used to live under the bridge and terrorized the inhabitants of La Brigue. The villagers asked for the help of a brave knight to defeat the dragon. The knight succeeded in killing it by stabbing it in the belly with his sword. Since that day, the Pont du Coq is considered a place where strength and courage are rewarded. Finally, according to a third legend, the Pont du Coq was haunted by the spirit of a young girl who had drowned in the river. The villagers held a ceremony to appease her spirit, during which a rooster was sacrificed. Since that day, the bridge is considered a place of purification and reconciliation.

The presence of this old lime kiln, largely ruined, testifies to the industrialization of a traditional production from the hinterland of Nice, which has remained archaic in many other places. At the end of the 19th century, Italian civil and military engineers opened a number of major construction sites in Tende and La Brigue, to complete the road link with Piedmont and, above all, to build defensive works in this strategically important border area. The factory's hearth, topped by its chimney, is the best-preserved part. The old lime kiln at La Brigue, a historic site in the Alpes-Maritimes, was built at the end of the 19th century to meet the needs of the industrialization of lime production in the region. This imposing, truncated cone-shaped structure measures around 20 meters in height and 10 meters in diameter. It was used until the end of the 20th century to produce quicklime, an essential material for construction, agriculture and other industries. Located on the Morignole road, near the River Levenza, the lime kiln is now in ruins, but remains a significant testimony to local industrial history. Open to the public free of charge, it was listed as a historic monument in 1993. The site offers an immersive experience, with construction in several stages between 1870 and 1880, use until the end of the 20th century, and a marked presence in the regional economy of the 19th century. In addition to its historical importance, the La Brigue lime kiln is associated with a nearby limestone quarry, in operation since the 15th century. This dark-gray, slightly schistose limestone was widely used in construction, as can be seen on the Saint-Martin church in La Brigue. The comprehensive document on the site, originally created by Patricia Balandier in 2018, includes bibliographical references, archive records, internet links, current views of the site, explanatory diagrams, and detailed information on the use of La Brigue limestone. A place of interest for history and heritage enthusiasts, the lime kiln bears tangible witness to the region's industrial past.

A partire dal Medioevo, le case furono costruite sul versante sud, con vista sulla Roya. Il villaggio attuale ha conservato la sua caratteristica disposizione medievale, con strade che corrono parallele al pendio, collegate da vicoli perpendicolari, i "carugiu". The current village still preserves its original medieval layout, consisting of streets parallel to the slope, connected by perpendicular alleys, the "carugiu", which are sometimes covered. The whole was protected by an enclosure with access doors. On the Route of the Nisso-Ligurian Baroque, decorations with shimmering motifs compete with a more sober but richer architecture of lintels sculpted in the green stone of Tende. From the top of the castle of the Counts Lascaris, a grandiose panorama of the mountains is a must ...

A chapel nestled in the heart of nature, decorated with 15th-century frescoes, overlooking 7 springs whose mysterious intermittence was long attributed to divine power... Opening hours : Visits by appointment at the La Brigue information office. Nicknamed "The Little Sixtin of the Alpes Maritimes", this painted chapel is the distant heir to a sacred sanctuary built over seven intermittent springs. Numerous legends nourish the history of this place and of these springs, whose flow changes during the day, adding to the mystery. The first mention of the chapel dates back to 1375, when two renowned Piedmontese painters were called in to decorate the interior walls: Giovani Baleison, who adorned the heart, and Giovani Canavesio for the entire nave. A total of 225m2 of frescoes of remarkable quality and realism were created. A veritable comic strip, taking visitors from the birth of Mary to her Assumption, the Passion of Christ, the hanging of Judas and a spectacular 35m2 Last Judgment. The frescoes will be inaugurated on a certain October 12, 1492...

It is the only one of the Brigasque hamlets that became French with La Brigue in 1947. In the heart of the hamlet is the 19th century Church of St. James the Major, its cobbled streets and stone houses make it a charming site to visit.

These 17th/18th century buildings, grouped together following the contours of the land under a rocky massif, in harmony with the wild nature of the upper Roya valley, are a real eye-catcher: the little perched hamlets are a must-see! The perched hamlets on the right bank of the Roya are well worth a visit: Berghe inférieur and Berghe supérieur in the commune of Fontan on the RD 42, Granile on the RD 191 from the Casterino road (RD 91). A yellow signposted hiking trail (PDIPR) links the three hamlets: Beacons 212 to 211 and then 32 between Berghe inférieur and Berghe supérieur, then beacons 33 to 219 from Berghe supérieur to Granile. Possibility of walking loops via the Gauron barns, a magnificent viewpoint: From Granile, waypoints 220, 221, to Gauron, waypoint 222, to the pas de la Tranchée waypoint 223, and the col de Tate, waypoint 214, back to lower Berghe.

A Sunday walk for the Saorgians, ideally situated for a picnic break or a snack with the children, a siesta or a meditative contemplation in front of the beauty of the slopes sculpted with restanques and the wild canyon of the Bendola. This pretty country chapel is one of the many chapels built in the Roya in the 17th century during the Counter-Reformation. Located on an overhang overlooking the Bendola valley, it is preceded by a vaulted porch. The roof on a masonry vault has a particularity that is frequent on the "casouns" (small houses outside the villages) of the Roya with a shape known as a "gendarme hat". Its watertightness is ensured by a layer of lime mortar, which follows the curve of the extrados, softened as it reaches the side walls. Overlooking a magnificent site sculpted with restanques, perpendicular to the slope, it would have been raised following a vow. An annual mass was celebrated there by the Saorgians, in the presence of the town council, on 14 September, until the Second World War. The Sainte-Croix chapel is easily reached from Saorge from the Monastery, by the path "Derrière le couvent" which is also the itinerary of the panoramic GR 52A between La Brigue and Saorge: half an hour walking quietly, and contemplating the restanques which sculpted the mountains into as many staircases and where the peasants of yesteryear cultivated rye and rustic wheat. You will contemplate the steep canyon of the Bendola, one of the most difficult in Europe, to be done over two days, a deep cut towards the cross-border mountains, Marta, Petravechia and Torragio.

A village in the shape of an eagle's nest, Saorge is a monument in itself, a witness to medieval architecture. This village, which looks like a "Tibetan village", entirely listed, is an ancient fortress clinging to the side of the mountain in the shape of an amphitheatre. Saorge is an important point on the "Route of the Baroque and Historic Organs of the Roya Valley". A village with Ligurian origins, for a long time it was a stopover on the salt route, a strategic axis between France and Italy. It has a rich historical and religious heritage with, in addition to the Monastery, which is part of the National Monuments Centre, a Baroque church, three chapels and the remains of fortified castles. With its narrow streets and vaulted passages, once defended by three castles, the fortress of Saorge, reputed to be impregnable, was nicknamed "the lock of the Roya".

Completed around 1498 after a terrible fire, this church in the County of Nice was "baroque" in the 18th century. You will be struck by the slender grandeur of its decorum of stuccoes, rocailles, gilding, and its shades of mauve and salmon.

Cosy bistro/restaurant/grocery shop in the heart of the historic village of Saorge. Traditional, carefully prepared cuisine which knows how to be creative, using as many local and/or organic ingredients as possible, with short circuit. As its name suggests, this establishment, which used to be the village bakery, is now a grocery bistro. Here you can eat simple but well-made dishes and, if necessary, buy the basic products of the regional cuisine. It is a friendly place in the centre of the village, with a small terrace and a very pleasant atmosphere.

Immersed in the mountain, the restaurant follows the rhythm of the seasons and adapts to the productions of the vegetable garden. Among our homemade specialities: ravioli, barbajuan, aubergines gratin, pumpkin flower fritters, lamb and suckling pig on the spit Ideal for grops and events. Transport by 4x4. Your meals with a breathtaking view of the Menton coast. Traditional and regional cuisine for all, homemade barbajuans and ravioli. For nearly 30 years, the BOVIS family has been welcoming you to Ferme St Bernard and offering meals and camping accommodation in a friendly and authentic atmosphere. La Ferme St Bernard is located on the heights of Castellar, medieval village of the Alpes Maritimes, near the GR 52 and the Col St Bernard, la Ferme offers packages for groups and events.

Located on the village square with a terrace in the sun or in the shade, this small restaurant offers tasty and generous cuisine. A traditional and local menu, daily specials, a nice selection of meats. Customers appreciate: “Good value for money / succulent pasta and meats / excellent and fast service / heated covered terrace”

Organic and natural wine cellar / dining cellar: Pierre, our village sommelier, offers almost 400 references of wines, beers and ciders - Sale of local produce - Dishes on the slate - Charcuterie / cheese plancha. To take away or enjoy on site.

The Lou'Bar wine/dining bar has expanded its walls to offer market cuisine with a southern accent. Refined dishes, an à l'ardoise menu and gourmet menus...

In this authentic village inn, the gourmet cuisine of the chef, a disciple of Escoffier, is based on local and seasonal produce. An address for gourmets to savour. Dishes and desserts changed daily.

In a retro and family atmosphere, this bar restaurant with terrace welcomes you at the entrance of the village. A varied menu: organic vegetables from local agriculture, vegetarian dishes, wok, Mediterranean cuisine, French meat, octopus a la plancha.

Located at the entrance to the Provençal village on the banks of the Loup, this restaurant has a beautiful terrace with an outdoor kitchen and a warm indoor dining room. A daily season pass. Barbecue specialties: fish, meat and vegetables.

This restaurant welcomes you for lunch and dinner 7 days a week: all-you-can-eat mussels and paella, but also giant pizzas. The Festival de la Moule also provides group meals and a takeaway service.

Listed by Gîtes ruraux de France, near the GR 52 and the Col St Bernard, the Farm offers a natural camping area for tents and a dormitory with single beds. Catering by reservation.

On the French Riviera, 500 m from the coastal village of Castellar (altitude 380 m), three spacious guest rooms open their doors all year round. Our rooms, all air-conditioned, offer comfortable bedding and a private bathroom in a different setting for each. An independent access guarantees you the greatest tranquility. You will be delighted by the breakfasts served under the arbour on summer days in individual tables or in the common dining room in winter period. You will enjoy the swimming pool and the shade of the fig trees to fill your moments of relaxation.

Family campsite at 8 km from the sea, 15 km from Italy, 15 km from Monaco. Quiet, semi-shaded, 100m from the village. Regular bus service, ideal for hiking, pleasant setting between sea and mountains. Supermarket, bar and restaurants in the village. Nearby activities: climbing, hiking, mountain biking. Motorhome access from April to end of June and from September to October 15. No camper vans between July and August. Longeur camping-car max 6 m

Looking for a change of scenery? Try a complete change of scenery just 1h30 from Nice. The Roncharel gîte welcomes you to the heart of nature in the Verdon and Vaïre valleys, to discover another South. Panoramic views, absolute peace and quiet! Single rooms and group accommodation. Provencal cuisine based on local produce.

Spacious and quiet rooms overlooking a provençal garden. swimming pool with natural maintenance and an eco-bel. spacious and quiet rooms overlooking a provencal garden. swimming pool with natural maintenance and environmental practices rewarded rewarded by an eco-bel.

Gîte La Cigale Jaune in the heart of Provence, ideally located between sea and mountains, near Cannes, Nice and Saint-Tropez, in the Pays de Fayence. Sleeps 4 people. Label Accueil vélo

Located in a beautiful property, Chantal and Daniel offer you 4 houses in the south: the red cicada : 2 to 4 pers- the cicada blue and the yellow: 2 to 6 pers and welcome you with pleasure in their little Provence, located in the Pays de Fayence

Municipal service area for camping cars 2 pitches, quiet, close to shops Bottom of the village Near tennis courts and swimming pool

Family hotel with outdoor pool and large terrace, at the foot of the village. This establishment has been awarded the "Accueil vélo" label and welcomes cycling tourists.

Charming hotel in a former oil mill nestled in a large wooded park 10 minutes from the village.