Having been severely impacted by Storm Alex, the Roya Valley and its villages are now ready to welcome you this summer! Road and rail links have been developed to offer you the best possible experience. Roya Valley Access

Notre‑Dame des Fontaines

The Sistine chapel and its legendary springs

A painted chapel surrounded by nature. One-of-a-kind paintings radiating energy and larger-than-life characters form the heart of this surprising masterpiece. These 15th century frescoes tells us a story where every detail has its place. They are the best-preserved in the region. This unique gem overlooks its springs and is a real eye-opener known as the “The Sistine Chapel of Alpes Maritimes”.

Enigmatic frescoes

in Notre-Dame des Fontaines

When you first see it, you couldn’t imagine how beautiful it is inside. But you’re in for a trip back in time. This chapel in La Brigue is full of surprises. The artists Canavesio and Baleison bring us a sight for sore eyes. Their 15th century frescoes are a holy comic strip from floor to ceiling… It covers 220m²: surprising, captivating, moving.

Picture stories

These frescoes tell the tale of Jesus’ life. There’s everything you’d expect of a comic strip with scowling bad guys and dimpled good guys. The simplistic features helped make their mark.

An all-encompassing

experience

The atmosphere is magical, the experience is sensational: there’s no electricity so no lighting. It’s an otherworldly experience that you can’t help but put your heart and soul into. You won’t know where to look… and darkness turns to light. The Passion and Last Judgement are revealed by natural light… they burst with details and intriguing scenes. With its terrifying and symbolic scenes, the interior stands out for fear of the Devil and captures the late Middle Ages’ mindset.

Unmissable

You’re in for a big surprise when you visit this chapel in a leafy haven of peace. It’s a closely-guarded secret and there’s nothing like it in South East France!

The legend of

Notre-Dame des Fontaines

One day, La Brigue’s springs dried up, possibly after an earthquake. The villagers couldn’t water their fields anymore so they promised to build a chapel devoted to the Virgin Mary if she brought water back to their countryside. A miracle happened, the springs started to well up again…

On the paths

of the Middle Ages

Notre-Dame des Fontaines, it’s all about water of course. The chapel’s location is on the site of 7 intermittent springs. It’s a place of water and life in the heart of the mountain. The springs’ irregularity is what the site is famous for. The hidden and isolated chapel was the last drinking water spot on the High Salt Road.

Get an introduction to the frescoes on a guided tour (booking required). Local history comes together with interpreting and understanding the artworks. Get up close and personal with the main spring and watch the water bubble out of the earth. A highlight of the tour.

An isolated sanctuary

Walk up the footpath from the village and soak up the setting’s peaceful atmosphere. The site is tucked away 4km from the village on the edge of the Black Mountain Valley.

Keep the adventure alive

and visit Notre-Dame

There are lots of things to see and do around Notre-Dame des Fontaines:

You can walk or cycle here, it’s a leisurely outing. The site is open daily in summer and available to book in winter. You can walk along a footpath to it or cycle on the road. It’s a great way to stretch your legs before you unlock the chapel’s secrets.

If you love outdoor adventures then this is the start point for hikes up to peaks exceeding 2000m in altitude. Now there’s some fresh air. It’s also a point of interest on the High Salt Road path and an authorised fishing spot in the valley (fishing permit required).