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Via Julia Augusta
All roads lead
to Rome
The Via Julia Augusta is a road from La Turbie to Ventimiglia. It was built when Augustus had managed to tame the Alps and inspired by the myth of Hercules wanting to link Spain to Sicily. It’s straighter than the Via Domitia and was far more popular among soldiers and merchants. It’s peppered with huge milestones with markings from Rome and seen as one of the greatest structures from the Roman Empire’s early days.
The road gets a new lease of life
The Via Julia Augusta now runs through the Menton, Riviera & Merveilles destination’s narrow coastal strip and takes in 4 towns: La Turbie, Beausoleil, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin and Menton. The French Riviera Community and Ventimiglia joined forces to restore the Via Julia Augusta in 2006. The cross-border partnership significantly contributed to the route’s opening and showcasing the stunning heritage along the way.
Four historical sites
to visit on the Via
Whilst visiting the Menton, Riviera & Merveilles area, make sure you hit this road to explore all its treasures. The route is lined with unmissable places to stop in the four towns it runs through. Four sites that ooze history, four exciting Roman ruins to uncover
The Trophy of Augustus:
glory to Rome
On the way out of La Turbie, the trophy was built in 6BC to celebrate Emperor Augustus’ victory over the last Alpine clans. He had it built as a monument celebrating the glory of Rome and worshipping the emperor as a deity. To add to the structure’s prestige, the trophy was built on Col de La Turbie, the highest point of the Via Julia Augusta. It towers over the sea and stands for the Roman Empire’s power.
Mont des Mules:
a strategic point of view
The Roman road continues to the top of Beausoleil, a highly strategic site given its incredible panoramic views of the Mediterranean coast. The 291m high Mont des Mules has been listed as a Monument Historique since 1939. It has visible traces of a protohistorical oppidum that was there before the road was built. A viewfinder table at the top helps walkers get the most from the view.
Lumone Tomb:
a Roman funereal ruin
Now it’s time to visit Roquebrune-Cap-Martin to see this unusual Roman funereal ruin that proves the relationship between burial rites and the Via Julia Augusta. It has 3 vaulted arcades and visible traces of frescoes and has been listed as a Monument Historique since 1951.
Menton Regional Prehistory Museum
This is the last stop in France before you reach Italy. This museum’s many exhibitions introduce milestone events in prehistory, Roman times, between the Iron Age and Late antiquity in Menton, the Alpes-Maritimes and Ventimiglia. These collections capture the Romans’ lifestyle, habitat and funereal customs.
