Enchanting Medieval Villages in France close to the French Riviera

Karen from City Pax shares her information to most charming medieval villages in France which might be near Good on the French Riviera. 

The solar shines nearly every day on the Cote d’Azur over stylish seashores and a cool life-style. And folks do come right here from everywhere in the world to be part of the French Riviera vibe.

But, not removed from the glamour and glitz of the Riviera, enchanting French medieval villages are a welcome distinction.

Eze is a well-liked French Villages on the Riviera

These small medieval villages in France are nestled on the hilltops of the French Riviera.

Most vacationers go to the well-known manicured village of Eze and its stylish lodge, in addition to the artsy medieval village of Saint Paul de Vence.

After all, each of those previous villages in France provoke oohs and aahs on everybody’s lips and with good cause.

However lesser identified villages within the Alpes Maritimes area are positively well worth the detour for his or her authenticity and attraction, every in their very own method.

And that is the place we’re going! Be a part of us as we uncover Four beautiful french medieval villages in hidden corners of the South of France.

1. Sainte Agnes – Medieval and Fortified

Alleyway of the probably the most effective medieval village in France, Sainte Agnes

Sainte Agnes has 2 privileges:

it is formally labeled as probably essentially the most stunning village in Franceand at 800m above sea stage, it additionally claims to be the very best coastal village in Europe.

One of many Beaux Villages of France

An excellent portion of the street that leads as much as this medieval village is steep and stuffed with sharp twists and turns.

However the spectacular views of the valley beneath full of olive bushes and varied shades of blue on the horizon largely makes up for it.

In Sainte Agnes, the cobblestone streets result in secret archways and peaceable squares. It is easy to think about what life was like a couple of centuries in the past.

What to Go to in Sainte Agnes

Stroll – Take a better have a look at the homes relationship from the 15th to 18th century that line the slender streets and alleys.

Some houses are authentic, others are restored, however all are nonetheless stuffed with particulars and character.

Among the finest villages in France –  Sainte Agnes

Bunker on Maginot Line and its WWII Fort

This large fortification constructed within the 1930s was meant to guard France’s borders from invaders. The bunkers go down a number of meters throughout the rock and for historical past buffs might be visited for a payment.

The Backyard

There’s a path not removed from the fort that results in a large and steep stairway. From right here begin climbing up till you attain the backyard.

Our stamina was put to check. However sure it is price it.

The reward? Nice views of the village rooftops on the way in which up!

The backyard itself is full of exceptionally maintained fruit bushes, flowers, and medicinal herbs. A small donation could also be requested by the volunteers who take care of the backyard however the entrance is free.

The Fort

Above the gardens sits the citadel. Truly, we discovered no citadel right here, solely its ruins.

The ruins inform the story of a king who within the late 1600s destroyed the 10th-century citadel as punishment for individuals who have been in opposition to him.

Catch your breath and benefit from the spectacular panoramic view of this medieval village.

For hikers, there are a number of paths that result in different unimaginable viewpoints in addition to different villages close by.

Saint Agnes – View of the Village in France countryside

Spring and fall are the proper seasons for memorable moments on this distinctive medieval village. Winter additionally has its personal specific attraction, however be warned that the majority outlets will probably be closed.

Saint Agnes Village Location:

Sainte Agnes is situated to the east of the French Riviera, proper above Menton the final city earlier than the Italian border.

2. Couraze – the sunniest of medieval cities village within the Alpes Maritimes

Nothing like a stroll by a village in France

Twists and turns. Mimosa, pine and olive bushes. You’ll be able to nearly hear the crickets and odor the rosemary vegetation.

Attending to this round hilltop village is a sluggish experience. The suspense builds up little by little round each flip by some luxurious inexperienced vegetation.

Actual individuals stay right here. It is a functioning everyday little village and residents are pleased to see guests.

Moreover its picturesque setting, it additionally critically lives as much as its medieval popularity.

Learn the small panels on the previous village entrance that specify totally different landmarks, together with the general public “lavoir”, a protracted rectangular concrete basin the place ladies again within the days, washed their garments.

Often, this every day chore was additionally the most effective instances to speak about life collectively. (May as nicely make the most effective of it proper?)

We bought fortunately misplaced meandering by the village’s medieval structure.

From the 16th century church, the arcades, the stone homes, and arched passages, to the very slender sloped streets and stairs that result in secret corners.

Get misplaced in these fairly villages

All of it kinds a maze of authenticity.

Sundials

The village of the solar. That is the opposite title for Coaraze. Due to its location, it receives greater than common daylight 12 months spherical and has quite a few sundials scattered across the village .

Round 1960 the primary sundials have been created by well-known artists comparable to Jean Cocteau. Then later within the years 2000, extra up to date artists from the area like Ben and Sosno, joined in so as to add their very own trendy contact.

Attempt to discover the varied sundials as you stroll round and discover Coaraze. Selecting up a small map on the tourism workplace will make it simpler.

cobbled streets of Couraze take you again in time to Medievel Life

All through the village, homes painted in heat blues, yellows and pinks are a contemporary shock. These colours are intensified by the daylight including a mixture of curiosity and poetry to our stroll.

picturesque villages of Coaraze

Simply in entrance of the villages stands a small and easy 17th-century chapel. The Spanish artist Ponce de Leon painted 2 frescoes depicting biblical scenes on the inside partitions. He used varied shades of blue.

Because of this within the early 1960’s it was renamed the Blue Chapel.

Nature Hike

For individuals who are match and like a very good hike after strolling the village, a particular path near the Blue Chapel leads as much as the ruins of Rocca Sparviera. At about 1000 m in altitude, it takes roughly 2-Four hours to finish relying in your tempo.

Legend has it that in medieval instances, Queen Jeanne after dwelling by a painful household tragedy put a curse on Rocca Sparviera.

Consumed by revenge, her curse pressured the 350 residents to urgently abandon their houses for different hamlets.

At the moment, the ruins are the one proof left of this phantom village. The hike itself lead us to unimaginable viewpoints all the way in which as much as the ruins.

One other rationalization as to why the residents fled is that resulting from a drought, the village lacked water for too lengthy.

However most individuals favor to imagine within the legend.

Ask the tourism workplace for a map. Correct sneakers are required for a couple of tough areas.

Village Location

The attractive French village of Coaraze is 40km from the village of Sainte Agnes (see above) and 30km from Good.

three. Tourrettes sur Loup: Medieval and Poetic

The French Village of Tourrettes sur Loup

Tourrettes sur Loup is an image postcard medieval village with flowers hanging from home windows and residents who smile after they say hey.

As soon as by the spectacular stone archway, the medieval setting performed with our creativeness and transported us to a different period.

We accepted the invitation to wander and bought misplaced throughout the slender cobblestone streets imagining how the lords and peasants within the center ages lived.

Entrance to Medieval City of Tourrettes sur Loup

It is potential to spend a number of hours on this charming medieval city exploring the primary road and facet alleys. We spent your complete afternoon.

Keep looking out for quirky particulars, delicate flowers, candy scents, and sun-filled stones. It is all there, like a poem within the making.

As most perched villages, Tourrettes sur Loup isn’t very huge, however it’s so poetic that measurement does not rely right here. All of it intertwines forming a labyrinth of magnificence round each stone.

Cité des Violettes

For over a century residents have cultivated violets and to this present day individuals in all places confer with this medieval village because the village of violets (Cité des Violettes). The small museum devoted to this flower explains its historical past and in March they rejoice the violet on the flower competition !

Queue up for some violet ice cream or purchase some crystalized violet sweet to take again dwelling as an authentic present.

Stroll by tiny artwork galleries and admire the handmade crafts offered in small outlets.

A medieval strolling road setting

Get pleasure from a scrumptious meal in one of many village’s typical eating places or like us, cease in a small snack store for a extra native style.

This french medieval village is a gem to discover alone or with household and pals.

Lose your self within the peaceable and soothing views that stretch past the ramparts over wooded hills in direction of the mediterranean sea.

Gel a glimpse of the inexperienced countryside and the valley beneath the place fig bushes develop naturally in all places.

Village Location

Tourrettes Sur Loup is situated about 40km from Good.

There’s a automobile park in entrance of the church and the village entrance is on the far proper.

Four. Gourdon: Small and dreamy French village with the most effective view

View of Gourdon

This small medieval village rises up from a rocky mountain and stays suspended on its edge as if by magic.

For that reason, it is labeled some of the stunning villages in France and other people name it the Eagle’s Nest due to the spectacular view.

Attending to Gourdon entails maneuvering some tight twists and turns, however the tradeoff is a tremendous inexperienced and rocky view of the valley beneath.

You understand you are nearly there once you see clusters of homes sandwiched collectively that contact the sky.

The fortified ramparts and the 9-14th-century citadel served their objective by WWII. They have been strategically constructed throughout instances of battle to guard and alert in case of invaders. Though very sturdy symbols, the medieval village of Gourdon was nearly forgotten.

Who would have thought that years later it will appeal to so many individuals?

Gourdon’s popularity of being the proper ultimate of what a French village ought to appear to be, could also be true. Like a masters portray, every thing is in the precise place and its magnificence by no means ages.

Place Victoria

However the true cause individuals come right here is the unimaginable view.

Admire the panorama from the most effective spot within the village: Place Victoria, (named after Queen Victoria who stayed right here within the 1800’s).

Paragliding over a Place Victoria – and the central sq.

Paraglide your method by blue skies and be part of the view, or simply take a really quick stroll to the tip of the primary road.

After passing the quaint eating places and small outlets, we went as much as the stone barrier and simply breathed all of it in.

The low stone wall prevents admirers from falling into the Valley of Wolves.

And there you’ve got it.

View from the Village

Sweeping views throughout the valley beneath and into the Cote d’Azur horizon.

Virtually 180 levels. That is a giant stretch and the important thing cause so many individuals flock right here 12 months spherical.

Spend a few hours strolling the stainless streets which gently slope up, then again down, and admire the fantastically restored facades full or attraction.

There are below 500 residents who stay right here 12 months spherical. Many households who’ve houses right here come on weekends or in the course of the summer season to get away from town.

We arrived early morning to search out some peace and quiet. Warning: lovers of stone homes, wood doorways, and nicely organized flowered home windows simply take your time and get your eyes and digicam prepared!

A glimpse of Medieval Life in a medieval village scene

Village Location

The attractive French village of Gourdon is 20 km from Tourrettes Sur Loup (see above) and 40 km from Good.

There’s a automobile park on the foot of the village, then stroll up 5 minutes to the village entrance.

Map of Villages in French Riviera (Cotes d’Azure)

Map of Medieval cities close to Cotes d’Azure

Click on to avoid wasting the hyperlink.

Discover Additional

As our curiosity grows, it pushes us to discover additional.

Every special approach reveals magnificence in addition to contradictions and proves that the Cote d”Azur is a multi-faceted gem!

Charming medieval villages are only one side.

For different sides, nicely, that is one other story for an additional day.

Get pleasure from this put up on Medieval French villages? Why not reserve it to Pinterest for future reference.

What do you contemplate to be essentially the most stunning villages of France? Have you ever been to the French Riviera?

Writer Bio

Whats up my pals, I am Karen from City Pax, author, avid explorer, single mamma of teenagers sharing travels and life. We discover the world by our personal planning and create high quality time collectively. Presently, we stay within the South of France.

City Pax Weblog | https://urbanpax.com

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