Just a 1-hour drive from Nice, in the heart of Mercantour, the Vésubie and Valdeblore valleys offer a unique range of activities and cultural events throughout the seasons. Stretching over 15 km around Roquebillière and Saint Martin Vésubie, these valleys bring together sports and recreational activities, both indoor and outdoor, as well as opportunities for exploration, contemplation, and relaxation in a preserved natural environment.
The Vésubie valley offers hikers of all levels, beginners or experienced, magnificent walks to discover the fauna and flora of the Mercantour. Walks, bike rides on marked trails, “Indoor” activities at Vesubia Mountain Park to learn mountain activities and sports in complete safety, Pure Thermal Resort offers a variety of activities open to all generations.
Located at the heart of the Vésubie region and at the gateway to Mercantour National Park, the village of Roquebillière is home to the only thermal resort on the French Riviera, situated at an altitude of 600 meters and just 50 km from the beaches of Nice.
Far from the summer heat and the unpredictable weather of the high mountains, the village offers a wide range of services and shops all year round. Festivals and events create a lively and friendly atmosphere in the village.
Venanson is a village characterized by narrow streets lined with houses nestled tightly together, flat stone passages, small staircases, and gurgling fountains. This village, perched like an eagle’s nest, overlooks the Vésubie Valley and offers a dizzying panorama from the edge of its cliff. At the entrance of the village, you’ll also discover the tiny Saint-Sébastien Chapel, built in 1467 to protect the village from the plague, adorned with mural paintings.
Belvédère is a perched village with narrow and tightly packed houses overlooking the left bank of the Vésubie River, its confluence with the Gordolasque River, and the village of Roquebillière-le-Vieux. While exploring its alleys, you’ll come across tall fortified houses, the Knight’s House, the Tribunal House, and the olive oil mill.
La Bollène-Vésubie is an ancient village built on the mountainside, dominated by its baroque-style church, which can be seen from afar. From its viewpoint, you can enjoy a clear view of the valley from which the municipality takes its name, and its charming stairway-like streets allow you to discover very old buildings. You’ll be enchanted by the gentle sound of the numerous fountains that are always present in these small mountain villages.
Despite being destroyed several times by earthquakes in past centuries, the village seems indestructible, perched on its rocky peak. While walking through the streets that lead to the Saint Sulpice Church, you’ll discover ancestral houses built with cut stones and adorned with beautiful carved doors. Once at the top, you can admire a panoramic view of the village with its multitude of roofs covered in old Roman tiles.
Located at the gateway to Mercantour National Park, between the Boréon and Madone de Fenestre valleys, the picturesque village of Saint-Martin-Vésubie invites you to discover the charm of the Upper Nice Country through its exceptional natural sites, cultural and architectural heritage, and numerous leisure facilities. The village still retains traces of its medieval origins: the main street, traversed throughout its length by a small canal called “béal,” reveals the charm of old stone houses. Nearby attractions include Vésubia Mountain Park, Madone de Fenestre, Boréon,
the Parc Alpha, without mentionning the countless hiking trails thoughout the Mercantour.
Utelle is one of those medieval perched villages characteristic of the hinterland of Nice. From its viewpoint, visitors can enjoy a 360-degree view of the mountains and Mercantour National Park. While strolling through the village, you’ll discover the remains of fortifications, beautiful trompe-l’oeil facades, sundials, and fountains. Don’t miss the Sanctuary of Madone d’Utelle, which dates back to the year 850.
