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This is a definitely lovely, but touristy, little village perched on the flank of a mountain, high above the Mediterranean. The one thing that saves Sainte Agnes from being overrun is that it's not easy to get to; only 4 km from the coast as the eagle flies, it's about 12 km of narrow and twisty mountain roads by car, above Menton at the eastern end of the French Riviera.
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Châteauneuf-Villevieille 42 km |
Coaraze 39 km |
Escarene 41 km |
Eze 25 km |
Gorbio 9 km |
Gourdon 80 km |
Menton 12 km |
31 km |
Nice 19 km |
Peillon 24 km |
Plus Beaux Villages |
Roquebrune-Cap-Martin 10 km |
Sospel 20 km |
Below: |
Chateau |
Maginot Line |
Museums |
History |
Hiking |
Lodging Hotels |
There are 3 Sainte-Agnès in France: "ours" in the Alpes-Maritimes (06), one in Isère (38) and one in the Jura (39). This one is labeled "the highest coastal village in Europe". The little access road climbs at a rate of 100 m vertical for each km of length.
Note: The name agnes in French is pronounced without the hard "g", like anyes.
The village has narrow stone-paved streets and many arched passages, and everything is pretty well restored. Many of the village houses are 15th to 18th century. There are pleanty of cafés and restaurants, some with terraces offering fine views.
A feature of this Sainte-Agnè is the incredible view -- of the coast, the sea, the mountians and Italy. You'll get the best view with a short climb up to the ruins of the 9th-century chateau above the town. From the jagged peak you can see the incredible defensive position, and have a magnificent view of the narrow ribbon of the non-surface autoroute far below, either crossing valleys on tall viaducts or going through mountians.
Chateau
According to legend, the chateau-fort was built by a Saracen Prince Haroun, who had fallen in love with a young Provençal girl. The chateau was restored in 1502, but today is in ruins. Eenough of the ancient walls remain, complete with arrow slits, to give a good feeling of what it was like in medieval times. Archaeological digs at the chateau site have unearthed at least 23 skeletons along with other artifiacts, indicating habitation to the Bronze Age or even to the neolithic era.
Maginot Line
Fort Maginot de Sainte-Agnes was built in 1932 as part of the famous (or infamous) Maginot line. Solidly built and still unused (the invaders elected to go around it), the fort sits on the edge of the village overlooking the sea, serving today as a popular tourist attraction.
Museums & Sites
Jardin Médiéval
A rock garden and historical tour, at the base of the chateau ramparts.
History
Name
First record, 1185: Sancta Agneta
Medieval:
Sainte Agnes was ruled by the Counts of Vintimille until 1258, when it passed to the Counts of Provence.
Hiking
- Maps:
- IGN (1/25,000) #3742 OT "Nice-Menton"
- Didier Richard (1/50,000) #26 "Pay d'Azur"
The GR51 (Balcony of the Cote d'Azur) goes by the village of Sainte Agnes. To the northeast, the GR51 passes the hamlet of Monti, crosses the river valley to the east, then continues on nearly to the Italian border where it joins the north-south GR52. To the southwest, the GR51 goes to Gorbio (about 12 km), then south towards the coast, where it follows the hills above the coast towards Nice and beyond.
There are also a few loop hikes from Sainte Agnes, some using part of the GR51, and all with a fair amount of ups and downs.
Lodging - Hotels
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Photo gallery of 5 photos for Sainte Agnès
