Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
04 89 79)
. Alternatively, go via the dead-end D171, which leads north from Roquebillière,
in Vallée de la Vésubie.
The engravings are usually snow-covered in winter, rendering snowshoeing useless; the
best time is June to October. The entire loop takes two days of strenuous high-mountain
hiking. Access is mostly restricted so visit with an official guide: inquire at Mercantour
National Park visitors centres or Escapade Bureau des Guides (
Click here
)
.
Vallée de la Roya
Occupied by Italy during WWII, the Roya only became part of France in 1947.
Breil-sur-
Roya
is the valley's water-sports base.
Roya Évasion
( 04 93 04 91 46;
www.royaevasion.com
;
1 rue Pasteur)
organises kayaking, canyoning and rafting on the
River Roya, plus hiking and mountain biking.
The dramatic
Gorges de Saorge
, 9km north of Breil-sur-Roya, lead to fortified
Saorge
(elevation 520m). Perched on sheer cliffs, the village is a maze of tangled streets, with
15th- to 17th-century houses. Franciscan
Monastère de Saorge
( 04 93 04 55 55;
10am-noon & 2-5pm Wed-Mon)
has a
baroque church with frescoes of St Francis.
Immediately north, the
Gorges de Bergue
lead to
St-Dalmas-de-Tende
, main gateway
into Vallée des Merveilles. From St-Dalmas-de-Tende, the D91 winds 10km west to
Lac
des Mesches
(1390m), where trails lead into the valley (plan eight hours hiking, round-
trip), and 5km further lies
Castérino
, with park information and more northerly trails.
Equally scenic, the eastbound D143 (from St-Dalmas-de-Tende) winds to La Brigue
(elevation 770m) then, 4km farther, to
Notre Dame des Fontaines
(admission €2;
10am-12.30pm & 2pm-5.30pm May-Oct)
- dubbed Sistine Chapel of the Southern Alps -
with brilliantly preserved wall-to-wall 15th-century frescoes, done by Piedmontese paint-
ers Jean Canavesio and Jean Baleison.
In
Tende
(population 1890, elevation 830m), which is an easy one-hour train ride from
Nice, the free
Musée des Merveilles
( 04 93 04 32 50; av du 16 Septembre 1947;
10am-6.30pm May-mid-Oct, 10am-5pm mid-Oct-Apr, closed Tue Sep-Jun)
explains (in
French) the valley's archaeological and historical significance. It also conducts English-
language rock-art tours to the Merveilles. Small, sweet
Maison du Miel
( 04 93 04 76
22; place Lieutenant Kalck; Jun-Sep)
explores regional honey. Find bread and artisan-
al products along rue de France and av du 16 Septembre 1947;
Fiori delle Alpi
( 04 93
04 55 05; av du 16 Septembre 1947;
7.30am-8pm)
has good sausage and cheese.
