“Imagine, a castle and a village face to face, suspended from a cloud…”
1 day 1 village
A day in SaorgeVisit the heart of Saorge
Narrow streets and panoramic views
As soon as you enter the village, you’re struck by the breathtaking views all around. Place Ciapagne, Place de la Caranca, Place de l’école… Everywhere, you feel very small in front of this entirely pedestrian “Tibetan” village.
Visit Place de l’Eglise Saint-Sauveur, on one of the benches with its green and purple lauzes, to soak up the Baroque soul and colorful village life! A flight of steps reminiscent of a stage set leads up to the Pénitents blancs chapel and its varnished bulbous bell tower.
From the lively center, tumble down the “cunun” stairs to the ruelle des Vergers. The imposing Place du Soutaï opens onto the valley, and the silhouette of Château de Malmort stands watch over the sky.
SAORGE, A GOURMET STOPOVER
Don’t miss the picore (Georgian brioche with aniseed) at the Saturday market, the cheese tourtons at the Val Roya cookie factory on Sunday, and its green and red tourtes on other days!
Recommendations
for a successful visit:
- Don’t forget to download the tour map above to make sure you don’t miss a thing of the village!
- Please note that the old village is entirely pedestrianized. Park in one of the parking lots on the two access roads, and walk the remaining 1 km.
- Take your time wandering around and sampling village life at the Saturday morning market.
- If you’re driving, park in the village at Place Biancheri (except Tuesday mornings, market day) or at the train station. Parking is free.
- The fountain at the Fontana de Medge washhouse, with its lovely bench and trees, is a welcome spot of shade.
- Fancy a culinary break? Take a tour of one of our restaurants, or enjoy a gourmet break in our tearoom-library.
Continue on to
Saorge Monastery
The only Baroque Franciscan monastery, a spiritual center and a residence for artists and writers, this is a must-see. Don’t miss the living gardens, or Francesco’s theatrical guided tour! On the monastery esplanade, enjoy the serenity of listening to the blackbird sing in springtime, and admire the cluster of buildings with their purple slate roofs shimmering in the sun, set in the mountains.
WRITING RESIDENCE
From March to October, the Monastère de Saorge welcomes writers, translators, scriptwriters and composers from all over the world, in search of calm and concentration. They reside in the former Franciscan cells, recreating the original function of the site.
Recommendations
to visit the Monastère de Saorge
- The monastery is open from June 1 to September 30 (10:00 am – 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm – 6:30 pm), then from February 1 to April 30 and from October 1 to October 31 (10:00 am – 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm).
- Enjoy an unbelievable guided tour with our expert guides (10:30 am, 2:30 pm and 4 pm, daily). The price is included in the visit to the monastery.
Explore the surrounding area on foot
Our hikes for all levels
Family outing to the Chapel of the Holy Cross
A mule track that winds languorously along the adret, marked in red and white GR52A. A winding bridge over a shady valley, tall cypress trees here and there, and the sculpted mountain unfurls before you. The awning of the sturdy Sainte-Croix chapel welcomes you to the sound of its small fountain. Ideal with children, even small ones.
Half-day panoramic loop
The walk from the Sainte-Croix chapel becomes a breathtaking 3h30 hiking loop. The steepness of the 600-meter ascent is more than made up for by the breathtaking views over the Bendola valley, one of Europe’s longest canyons, the Mercantour peaks to the Haute-Roya, and finally, the finish with the incredible plunge to the purple lauze roofs of Saorge.
GREEN CLASS
Saorge is one of France’s most remarkable sites for the richness and rarity of its orchid varieties. The restanques around Sainte-Croix are rigorously protected by their classification as a Natura 2000 zone.
Recommendations
for a worry-free hike:
- Make sure you’re well equipped: water, cap, good shoes, snacks – you’re all set!
- If you have them, a pair of binoculars and a compass will always come in handy.
- To make sure you don’t get lost, take an IGN map with you.
- Beware: some mountain areas don’t have good network coverage.
COOL OFF AT THE RIVER
After the effort, the comfort: cycle down to the Bendola river to cool off. The best-known spot: the Sémite bath, along the chestnut path.
Recommendations
for your cycling outings:
- We recommend that you bring your own bike, as there are no rental facilities in Saorge.
- Always carry a repair kit with you, as it can be difficult to find materials to repair a wheel!
- There are no charging stations for electric bikes in Saorge yet.
For a day at the Top...
Our expert advice
How to get to us
- If you choose to drive from Menton, you can reach us via Sospel via the Col de Brouis to Breil-sur-Roya and Tende. Further information on : Getting to the Roya Valley
- From Nice, take the A8 (1h30 drive).
Practicalities and flavours
- Before you leave: stock up on cash – there are no cash dispensers in Saorge.
- Check the opening hours of monuments before you go out.
- For bathing enthusiasts, discover the Bendola river, accessible by foot or bicycle at the “bain du Sémite” or “pont de Baoussoun”.
- Fancy a picnic with local flavours? Go to the market to discover the stalls of our producers, or to “la petite épicerie”… you’re welcome 😉
- All village fountains are drinkable, unless otherwise indicated.
- For a gourmet souvenir of Saorge, we recommend the Val Roya cookie factory, rue Virgile Barrel.
- For further advice, contact Suzel at the Tourist Office: tende-tourisme@menton-riviera-merveilles.fr or 04 83 93 98 82.