La Turbie

A taste of Rome on the French Riviera

A lovely, sunny day is the perfect time to visit the stunning village of La Turbie. Overlooking Monaco, it seems to be almost floating in the sky, crowned by the gigantic Trophy of Augustus (standing 35 m high!). Discover this charming village, a testimony to its glorious Roman past. Don’t forget to look up, as there are plenty of surprising architectural details to be discovered…

Getting there

“La Turbie is a village perched above the Mediterranean. The huge Trophy of Augustus is a reminder of the Romans’ past grandeur. Standing on the hills above Monaco, the Tête de Chien (Dog’s head) offers an incredible panoramic view over the French Riviera! Don’t miss seeing the spectacular sunrise. A magical moment!”

Marie-Laure

5 great reasons to visit La Turbie

The magnificent Trophy of Augustus, standing 35m high

The clear views over the Mediterranean

To walk the legendary Via Julia Augusta

Unforgettable coastal hikes

The Grande Corniche Park and its stunning vistas

A Village

Marked by history

Situated at the crossroads between Italy and Gaul, various events have left La Turbie with some remarkable traces of the past. The commune has succeeded in retaining almost all of its charm, with a harmonious blend of classical, medieval and Baroque styles. Today, visitors can admire the medieval walls, the Baroque-style Saint-Michel Church, a Roman fountain, ‘calade’ pebblestone streets and arched passageways… and, of course, the famous Trophy of Augustus.

Placed under the authority of the Roman Emperor in the 1st century B.C., La Turbie later came under the rule of the Republic of Genoa, prior to becoming part of the Principality of Monaco. It then joined France in 1860.

La Turbie, fun for the whole family

Combining a little history and a fun walk with the kids couldn’t be easier! A games booklet is available from the La Turbie and Menton Tourist Information Office. Ideal for learning while having fun.

Must-see Attractions

in La Turbie

Musée Edward Tuck

The Trophy site is the pride of the town and is home to a huge park, as well as an interactive museum that explains how the monument was originally 49 metres tall, and that it bears the inscription of the 44 peoples defeated during Augustus’ conquest. Definitely one not to miss!

Discover

Vue sur le Trophée d'Auguste et l'Eglise Saint-Michel

Saint-Michel Church

Not far from the medieval walls, this magnificent 18th century church has been listed as a ‘Monument Historique’ since 1938. It was a stage along the Route du Baroque. The interior features simple designs, a number of paintings, some dating back to the 15th century, a marble-encrusted high altar and a communion table made of agate and onyx.

Discover

What makes this medieval village special?

Behind La Turbie’s medieval walls, there are a number of interesting details that reveal its history. Firstly, there are the many gateways that protected this impenetrable fortress. On the west gate, you can find machicolations, small openings from which stones were thrown at the enemy.

Here and there, you can also find rings hanging in the wall, usually under the letterboxes. This is where donkeys, being the main means of transport at the time, were tied.

Discover

The Trophy of Augustus

A monument in memory of Augustus

Unique in its size and historical importance, the Trophy of Augustus is a National Monument. It is one of the architectural wonders of the Alpes-Maritimes. A symbol of victory, the trophy was erected over 2,000 years ago, in honour of Augustus, the great conqueror of the Ligurians of the Alps. Built on the Alpis Summa, the frontier between Gaul and Italy and a strategic point along the Via Julia Augusta, it celebrates the power of the Roman Empire.

Discover

Walking Trails

with a view!

Head for the Grande Corniche Park, a green area spanning over 660 hectares. The extraordinary view from here includes the entire coastline, from Italy to the Estérel, as well as the mountains up to Mercantour.

The Via Alpina is the most well-known of the hikes that cross the village (1 hour 30 min round trip). This international route is a real link between 8 countries including Monaco, France, Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, Austria and Slovenia. The trail takes you across borders over 60 times!

But the most spectacular view of the French Riviera is probably the one from the Tour de la Tête de Chien. The view from the top is as close as you can get to Monaco, with Cap Martin and the Italian coast in the distance, and a superb vista of Cap Ferrat on the other side. To hike there, the route starts in the pine forest and you then follow the wooden panels for 4.9 kilometres (a 2-hour round trip).