Côte d'Azur
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Discovering the hilltop villages of the Mentonnais region

<Gorbio, Sainte-Agnès, Castellar… So many villages perched on their rocky spurs, with the sky as their only neighbour. In these green and historic settings with breathtaking views, discover traces of past medieval life, as well as the secrets of the alleyways and buildings of these villages perched above Menton during a Côte d’Azur getaway or fascinating guided tours.

Sainte-Agnès, Europe’s highest coastal village!

What better way to start the journey than to visit Sainte-Agnès.

Listed as one of the “Most Beautiful Villages in France”, its breathtaking plunging views offer visitors an authentic look at the Mediterranean coastline.

With its cobbled streets and intertwined houses, the village has preserved its medieval charm.

You’ll find all the authenticity of Sainte-Agnès’s heritage on guided tours of the Fort of the Maginot Line and its galleries.

Situated four kilometres from the border, this is the military fort that was used to repel the Italians in June 1940.

The 16th-century Church of Notre-Dame des Neiges and the medieval garden on the château site offer an atypical and charming character to this little nugget listed as one of France’s most beautiful villages.

Village of Castillon

Perched just 7 kilometres from Menton, its name means “little castle” and its history is far from ordinary. Originally named Castillon-le-Vieux in the 12th century, it was destroyed in 1887 by a terrible earthquake that shook the entire region. The village was rebuilt a little further down the mountain. During the Second World War, bombing raids again destroyed the site, before it was rebuilt in the early 1950s. Today, it is made up of two parts: one old, with Provençal-style stone houses with green shutters that earned it the title of most beautiful village in France in 1952; and the other more recent, where homes rub shoulders with artists’ studios and galleries in a friendly atmosphere.

Point of departure for many hiking routes, the village also offers unforgettable walks towards the Col de Castillon, the 15th-century chapel of Saint-Antonin, the viaduc du Caramel where the old tramway used to pass and the Ubac Foran forest where an orientation table offers a panoramic view of the Bay of Menton and the surrounding mountains.

Village de Gorbio

Between Roquebrune-Cap-Martin and Menton, Gorbio boasts authentic charm, with its porticoed houses, vaulted passageways, pointed doorway and three-hundred-year-old elm tree giving it all the charm of a warm and welcoming village.

As you wander through the calade-paved lanes, the château of the Counts Alziari de Malaussène, still inhabited by the family, dominates the village. Its construction dates back to the 17th century and gives the village a veritable “eagle’s nest” appearance.

The old Lascaris castle and its defensive tower represent the oldest of the local heritage. With its exceptional panoramic view, it has become a cultural venue, hosting an exhibition every summer.

Other charming features in Gorbio include the “Fontaine de la place” as well as its elm tree planted in 1713 and listed as one of France’s two hundred remarkable trees. Beautiful hiking routes also await you.

Village of Castellar

The last French perched village before Italy, Castellar is notable for its layout.

In fact, its streets are all parallel, allowing its inhabitants to walk the entire length of it in a straight line, but also to move from one street to another thanks to cross passages or “traverses”. The oil mill, which is still in operation today, bears witness to the fact that olive-growing has always been a rich local asset.

And it is with passion and plenty of anecdotes that a visit is made. The ancient fortified square, now known as Place de l’Eglise, preserves the remains of the former palais seigneurial des Lascaris-Vintimille. In addition to its parish church of St-Pierre, the commune has 6 chapels. In the medieval market town, the 17th-century Chapel of the Holy Spirit (Pénitents Blancs) and Notre-Mère des Miséricordes (Pénitents Noirs) host exhibitions all year round. Strolling along the Castellar hiking trails, you can admire sumptuous panoramas, from Italy to the coast of Menton and Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, and all the way to the Esterel.

One of our favourites is the Roc d’Orméa.