Listed as one of the Mercantour's major sites, the Madone de Fenestre, located 12 km from Saint-Martin-Vésubie, is the starting point for numerous hikes to high-altitude lakes as far away as Italy.
The sanctuary of the Madonna de Fenestre, at 1904 m, is surrounded by mountains. It is dominated by the 3143 m-high Gélas, the highest peak in the Alpes Maritimes. An ancient passageway leads via the lake, then the Col de Fenestre, to the Italian side of Piedmont. Fenestre owes its name to a hole in the Cayre de la Madone, a rock behind the sanctuary, where the Virgin is said to have once appeared. The chapel is Baroque in style. After several fires, the sanctuary was restored in the 19th century.
The 11 km walk from the parish church of Saint-Martin-Vésubie to the sanctuary takes place in May. It is brought down again in September to spend the winter in the church.
The sanctuary is also the starting point for the Marche de la Mémoire. Every year, a march is organized to the Col de Fenestre or Col Cerise, at the beginning of September, in memory of the flight of Jews in 1943, trying to escape Nazi barbarism. It is followed by an annual commemoration at the end of the afternoon at the war memorial. Saint-Martin-Vésubie has been officially recognized as a member of the towns and villages of the Justes de France.
Please note: following the passage of storm Alex on October 2, 2020, the road (RM94) between Saint-Martin-Vésubie and the Madone de Fenestre is CLOSED for an indefinite period. As access conditions may change, please contact the Saint-Martin-Vésubie tourist information office on 04.93.03.21.28 or www.saintmartinvesubie.fr.
The 11 km walk from the parish church of Saint-Martin-Vésubie to the sanctuary takes place in May. It is brought down again in September to spend the winter in the church.
The sanctuary is also the starting point for the Marche de la Mémoire. Every year, a march is organized to the Col de Fenestre or Col Cerise, at the beginning of September, in memory of the flight of Jews in 1943, trying to escape Nazi barbarism. It is followed by an annual commemoration at the end of the afternoon at the war memorial. Saint-Martin-Vésubie has been officially recognized as a member of the towns and villages of the Justes de France.
Please note: following the passage of storm Alex on October 2, 2020, the road (RM94) between Saint-Martin-Vésubie and the Madone de Fenestre is CLOSED for an indefinite period. As access conditions may change, please contact the Saint-Martin-Vésubie tourist information office on 04.93.03.21.28 or www.saintmartinvesubie.fr.
Services
Restaurant
Rates
Free access.
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Openings
All year 2026 - Open everyday
Location
Spoken languages
Spoken languages
