With its colorful facades, lush natural surroundings, the Bévéra river and its heritage, Sospel is a village where it’s good to take your time!
1 day 1 village
A day in Sospel
Visit the heart of Sospel
Baroque buildings and trompe-l’oeil facades
How about a walk through medieval history? In the heart of the village, cross the Bévéra by the Pont-Vieux: you’re on the historic trail of the Salt Road. Take the opportunity to admire the shimmering colors of the facades, and the play of lights that play hide-and-seek in the alleyways. Let your instincts guide you: find the shade under the plane trees, follow the smell of fresh bread, listen to the tinkle of a bell tower…
Suddenly, the highlight of your visit, you enter a theatrical setting facing the majestic Cathédrale Saint-Michel. From the forecourt, you enter a Baroque treasure trove, dazzled by the richness of the decor.
THE ORGAN LIVES…
Bats love to curl up in the pipes of the historic organ. Hidden behind its curtain, it is only revealed during concerts.
Recommendations
for a successful visit:
- Don’t forget to download the tour map below to make sure you don’t miss a thing of the village!
- Take advantage of the summer Escapades Baroques to discover the town of Sospel with a guide.
- For parking, we recommend the Maulandi parking lot at the entrance to the village. An electric terminal is available.
- Cathédrale Saint-Michel is open daily from 9am to 5pm. It’s best to visit in the morning, when the square is bathed in sunlight.
- Thursday mornings are market day to discover the flavors of our local produce (Place des Platanes), and Sunday mornings are for the farmers’ market (Place du Marché).
- Ideal for families, the station garden offers a welcome shady interlude, with its children’s playground and fish pond.
Extend to
the mini-Chinese Wall
Make the most of your getaway to discover Notre-Dame de la Menour, perched on its spur. A “mini-Chinese wall” that will leave you speechless! As you round a bend in the road from Sospel to Moulinet, you’ll see a wall of mountains looming on the horizon. The chapel stands majestically at 780 metres above sea level.
A GIGANTIC STAIRCASE
To reach the sanctuary, you’ll have to take the huge staircase bridge, listed as a Historic Monument since 1937.
Recommendations
to visit Notre-Dame de la Menour
- The chapel itself is not open to visitors. But its setting is well worth the detour. The yellow facade stands out against the green backdrop of the mountains.
- Park your car on the side of the road for a while, as a few spaces are available.
FORT SAINT-ROCH
At the end of the Coletta hiking trail, step into the shoes of a World War II soldier as you visit Fort Saint-Roch on the Maginot Line. You’ll be immersed in a world of wind tunnels, machinery and kitchens.
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.
- Remember to pack a little wool if you visit the forts, where the temperature is only 14 degrees.
- Fort Saint-Roch can only be visited at weekends from April to September, and every day in the afternoon (except Monday) in July and August.
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MOUNTAIN ROUTE
With its 700 kilometers, the Route des Grandes Alpes is one of the most majestic mountain bike routes, made famous by the Tour de France.
Recommendations
for your cycling outings:
- We recommend that you bring your own bike, as there are no rentals in Sospel.
- Always carry a repair kit with you, as it can be difficult to find materials to repair a wheel!
- A bike rack is available in front of the town hall, place Saint-Pierre.
- Please note that Sospel does not yet have a charging station for electric bikes.
- The region is surrounded by many mountain passes, so the trails are always very challenging, so don’t overestimate your level.
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 (50 min drive).
Practicalities
- You’ll find cash dispensers in Place Garibaldi and Place de la Cabraïa.
- Check the opening hours of the monuments before you go out.
- For swimmers, there’s a pleasant watering hole on the botanical trail.
- General grocery stores, bakeries, butchers and greengrocers will help you put together a local picnic… we’d love to hear from you 😉
- Don’t forget to pack your Lavoriero honey ( Ruchers des oliviers) and Genero honey ( Rucher du Buzard).
- All village fountains are drinkable, unless otherwise indicated.
- For further advice, contact Karima and Dominique at the Tourist Office: sospel-tourisme@menton-riviera-merveilles.fr or 04 83 93 95 70.
