OUR FAVOURITE: THE HILLTOP VILLAGES OF THE VÉSUBIE VALLEY

Looking for a change of scenery on the Côte d’Azur? The Vésubie Valley is bursting with perched gems! Don’t wait any longer to discover our selection of hilltop villages, offering you a green and authentic journey through Côte d’Azur traditions. Don’t wait any longer! Follow the #CotedAzurFrance guide!

VILLAGE OF UTELLE – VÉSUBIE VALLEY

Exceptional panorama between sea and mountains…

It is said that the most beautiful panorama in the department is to be found here… From its orientation table, you can enjoy a 360° view of the mountains and the Mercantour National Park. A former medieval village, you’ll discover the remains of fortifications as you walk along, as well as beautiful trompe l’oeil facades, sundials and fountains. Don’t miss a visit to the Sanctuary of the Madonna of Utelle, whose origins date back to 850 AD and which, according to legend, was saved from certain shipwreck by the Virgin Mary of Spain.

Plan your visit to Utelle!

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VILLAGE OF LA BOLLENE-VÉSUBIE

Gateway to the Authion Massif and the Vallée des Merveilles

La Bollène-Vésubie is a very old village built into the side of a mountain, dominated by its Baroque-style church, which can be seen from very far away. From its belvedere, you’ll have an uninterrupted view of the valley from which the village takes its name, and its charming staircase lanes will allow you to discover some very old buildings that have seen many a walker pass by. As you pass by, let yourself be lulled by the gentle song of the fountains, always present in these small mountain villages.

VILLAGE OF LANTOSQUE

Straddling the rock…

Destroyed several times by earthquakes over the centuries, the village seems indestructible despite its precarious location on a rocky outcrop. As you make your way up the narrow streets towards the church of Saint Sulpice, you’ll pass ancestral houses built of dressed stone, with beautifully carved doors. Once you reach the top, you can admire the general view of the village, with its multitude of roofs covered in old Roman tiles. Don’t miss the fountain, which dates back to 1866.

Plan your visit to Lantosque!

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SAINT-MARTIN-VESUBIE

Gateway to the Mercantour National Park…

At the gateway to the Mercantour National Park, between the Boréon and Madone de Fenestre valleys, the picturesque village of Saint-Martin-Vésubie invites you to discover the charm of the Haut Pays niçois through its exceptional natural sites, its cultural and architectural heritage and its many leisure facilities. The village has preserved traces of its medieval origins: the main street is criss-crossed by a small canal known as a “béal”, revealing the charm of its old stone houses. Nearby sites include the Vésubia Mountain Park, the Madone de Fenestre, the Boréon and the Parc Alpha, not to mention the many hiking trails in the heart of the Mercantour.

Plan your visit to Saint-Martin-Vesubie!

VENANSON VILLAGE – VESUBIE VALLEY

Breathtaking views of the Mercantour forests…

Narrow lanes lined with houses huddled together, flat stone passageways, little staircases and gurgling fountains, this village built like an eagle’s nest overlooks the Vésubie valley and, from the edge of its cliff, offers an indefinable panorama, but beware of vertigo! At the entrance to the village, you’ll also find the tiny chapel of Saint-Sébastien, built in 1467 to protect the village from the plague, with its mural paintings.

Plan your visit to Venanson!

FAVOURITE :

THE HILLTOP VILLAGES OF THE VÉSUBIE VALLEY

By Raconte-moi un voyage

I’m a photographer and blogger from the Côte d’Azur, a lover of heritage and old stones, and I’d like to take you into the Côte d’Azur hinterland to discover our villages and their crafts. Come and follow me!