Tende

Between Heaven and Earth

Perched on a mountainside at an altitude of 800 metres, within the Roya Valley, the village of Tende flourishes. Located on the Upper Salt Road and the Royal Road from Nice, it represents the last French stop-off before reaching the Italian Piedmont. Above it, the Col de Tende peaks at 1,871 metres. In this spectacular setting, Tende also forms a natural border between Mercantour National Park and the Vallée des Merveilles (The Valley of Wonders). Some prestigious names for a destination that entirely measures up, as if suspended between heaven and earth.

Getting there

As the Roya Valley’s final destination, Tende is a stop off steeped in tradition, and close to the border between France and Italy. Before going for a walk in the countryside, visit the Musée des Merveilles and learn more about the rock engravings in the Vallée des Merveilles (The Valley of Wonders)! This interactive museum is well worth a visit!

Alex

5 great reasons to visit Tende

The old village, shaped like an amphitheatre overlooking the Roya, and its collegiate church

The not-to-be-missed Musée des Merveilles

Its location at the entrance to the Mercantour and the Vallée des Merveilles (The Valley of Wonders)

The historic military forts on the Col de Tende

A starting point for walks in exceptional natural surroundings

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Tende:

a highly-prized mountain village

Like all the villages in the valley, Tende has changed hands countless times. The commune alternated between Provence, Savoy, France and Italy, and was only definitively ceded to France in 1947. For quite some time, it was the stronghold of the Lascaris counts who, thanks to their strategic occupation of the Col de Tende, managed to develop and establish their own independence.

The present-day village has retained its original medieval layout, with streets running parallel to the slope, connected by perpendicular alleys, known as “carugiu”. The overall design of the village, as well as its many Renaissance and Baroque features, recount the history of the people of Tende. Everywhere you look, you can see the green marble of Tende which gives its narrow streets a striking appearance.

ONE COMMUNE FOUR 4 HAMLETS

Spanning over 17,747 hectares, Tende is the largest commune in the Alpes-Maritimes. It also includes the four hamlets of Castérino, Viévola, Granile and Canaresse.

Must-see Attractions

in Tende

Notre-Dame de l’Assomption

This is one of the most unique buildings in the region, with a Baroque facade featuring a number of different styles including flamboyant red panels with gilding, floral motifs, and sculpted figurines. Its construction was ordered by Count Honoré Lascaris I in the mid-15th century. The Renaissance gateway, made of green marble from Tende, portrays Christ and the twelve apostles.

Other notable religious buildings in the village include Saint-Sauveur Chapel, featuring 14th century mural frescoes, and the Chapel of Pénitents Blancs et Noirs, which are both listed as Monuments Historiques.

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The historic village

Designed in the shape of an amphitheatre, and sitting above the Roya Valley, Tende certainly makes an impression. Overlooked by the clock tower and the remains of Chateau des Lascaris, its tall houses with slate roofs appear to almost overlap one another. Leave your car behind as the winding streets, hidden squares, twists, turns and steps through Tende’s historic quarter are well worth exploring!

Take your time to wander around. Admire the stone bridges, the ancient doorways with mysterious lintels, the little squares and the often-dizzying maze of alleys. The charming main street, running along the hillside, features a number of facades adorned with trompe-l’oeil motifs.

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THE GREEN MARBLE OF TENDE

Tende’s green marble has played a significant role in the history of Roya architecture. It is notably visible on the Collégiale Church in Tende, and provided the tiles for the rooftops.

Culture

& Heritage

A region renowned for its art, history and natural beauty, Tende certainly has plenty to offer. Some must-see attractions:

The Musée des Merveilles: A key venue for discovering the fascinating history of Mankind that is portrayed in the Vallée des Merveilles (The Valley of Wonders), at the foot of Mont Bégo.
La Maison du Mercantour: A journey to discover the national park’s rich biodiversity, through a fun and educational exhibition.
La Maison du miel et de l’abeille: This is where you can see beekeeping in all its forms, and the meticulous work that goes on inside the hives.
The Musée du Vallo Alpino: One of the only defence bunkers from the Italian era, it has been completely restored and put on display.

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Scenic Walks

around Tende

Several walks around the village offer panoramic views of the region. Follow the ‘Sentier de l’aigle’ (the Eagle Trail): Shaded by tall trees, you reach the observation platform which is crowned with a statue of an eagle. Follow the sunny path leading down and enjoy fresh fragrances of lavender and thyme.

For those who like more of a challenge, you can also walk up to Saint-Sauveur Chapel. The ascent is well worth it, and offers a bird’s eye view, some 300 metres above the village.

Col de Tende:

Nature, Sport and History

Passing through the tunnel and heading up the Italian side, you reach the Col de Tende, where you will find military buildings constructed by Napoleon III. These fortresses, scattered along the crest of the mountains, offer a breath-taking view of the valley and, on a dry day, the sea. A walk around the fortifications, (which takes around 3 hours) allows you to explore the entire site.

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Sports & Leisure Activities

around Tende

When it comes to hiking and outdoor activities, the Tende region is not short of things to do. It is an ideal place to enjoy a wide range of leisure activities:

During the winter, in the Castérino Nordic ski area, enjoy cross-country skiing, backcountry skiing, snow shoe hiking and more. Twenty kilometres to the north, the Limone-col de Tende ski resort offers downhill skiing.
For climbers, there is a Via Ferrata near to Saint-Sauveur Chapel, offering 2 particularly spectacular routes.
And of course, superb hikes await you throughout Mercantour National Park, the Vallée des Merveilles (The Valley of Wonders) and Fontanalba.