
©Drone de Regard
The Salt Road has run from Nice to Piedmont since the Middle Ages. The mule path became an essential trading route and made Tende a key location. Bags of salt from the Camargue salt marshes were loaded onto mules’ backs to transport it to Tende where the mounts were swapped for Tende mules, famous for their strength and resilience in the face of tiring long journeys.
Tende mule drivers lived off the regulated transport of people and goods on the Col de Tende road for centuries. The “mountain pass men” managed traffic and got rich from road users with as many as 46,000 mule drivers a year from Nice in the late 17th century!
Many mule drivers were killed by accidents (especially because of the winter snow) or attacked by highwaymen. They quickly formed a corporation and founded the Tende mule driver brotherhood to support the victims’ families, under Saint Eligius (Saint Éloi in French), the protector of horses, mules and donkeys. Its members still host the patron saint’s festival every second weekend in July. Mule drivers may be dying out but the brotherhood and Saint Eligius celebration are alive and kicking.
Be part of the Saint Eligius celebrations in Tende! The festival plays out all over the village for two days and brings our four-legged friends together from all over the valley. Children and adults will love a free afternoon performance on Saturday whilst a concert ends the day on a high at Notre-Dame de l’Assomption. In the evening, there’s the Saint Eligius torch blessing followed by fireworks around the castle ruins and a great ball in a marquee.
Sunday morning is all about dressing the horses and mules before they parade through Tende’s streets. Kids will be blown away by the parade’s colours and the fabulous carriage strewn with flowers. As tradition dictates, the animals are blessed on the collegiate church’s beautiful forecourt before Saint Eligius mass. Then the prior of the year, chosen by their peers, receives their award. Free horse-based events and music in the afternoon complete the festival.
Storm Alex hit our area hard on 2nd October in 2020. Please note that access to some Roya Valley towns and villages has been seriously affected.
To ensure you have a great time, whether at mid or high altitude, we strongly recommend contacting the Tende Tourist Information service prior to your visit: +33 4 83 93 98 82 or tende-tourisme@menton-riviera-merveilles.fr.