Roquebrune Cap Martin | French Riviera - Cote d'Azur

Roquebrune Cap Martin on the French Riviera is a commune in the Alpes Maritimes département.

Next door to Monaco and close to Menton is the small resort.

Perfectly situated for easy access to the attractions of cosmopolitan Monaco, Cap Martin also maintains its ties to the past.

It is set just below the ancient hilltop village of Roquebrune, where you can wander through narrow medieval streets, past houses built into the rock that seem little changed from centuries ago.

The commune was founded in 970 by Conrad I, count of Vintimille, in order to protect his western border.

It was originally known as Roccabruna.

The population were originally Ligurians, but came to speak an occitan dialect, similar to that in nearby Monaco, somewhat influenced by their original language.

In 1355, it fell under the control of the Grimaldi family for five centuries, during which time the castle was strengthened.

In 1793, the village became French, but it was returned to Monaco in 1814.

In 1848, there was a revolution, with the result that Roquebrune and Menton became free cities.

They had hoped to be annexed by Sardinia, but this did not occur, and the towns remained in a state of political limbo until they were finally ceded to France by a plebiscite in 1860.

In 1804 Napoleon built a road along the coastline that changed the history of the village.

This road connected the village to the rest of the French Riviera, and eventually led to its merger with the smaller town of Cap Martin.

Ancient history of the town is combined with modern leisure.

Though history of Roquebrune Cap Martin goes very far back in time along the French Riviera coast, here - like in many other places - only few things remain.

Roquebrune village is definitely a perfect example.

The winding small streets and stair shaped alleys that reach to the top on which an amazing castle is still waiting for its visitors.

From here one enjoys a breathtaking view over the red roofs of the village, along green palm trees and bushes into the deep blue sea of the Méditerranée.

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Videos

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Geography

Between Menton and Monaco, a large municipality is stretching from the mountains towards the sea and includes the peninsula Cap Martin.

The built area on the rocky slopes of the "Alpes Maritimes" carries the name Roquebrune, which translated means something like "Brown Rocks.

The situation makes it a place which is truly superb.

With Eze this is the most beautiful place along the French Riviera and little less tourist.

The combination of the long coastline around the Cape and the colourful houses of the ancient Roquebrune makes it to an absolute must for French Riviera visitors.

Monaco to the west and Menton and Italy to the east.

The village is dominated by a tenth century castle that is one of the oldest feudal in France.

The castle is open to the public and is one of the best viewpoints in the village.

Well worth exploring this fortress!

The narrow streets of the village are extremely pretty, although some of the houses look over restored.

Many houses are built into the sheer rock face that surrounds the village and very much retain their Mediaeval character.

The streets and linked together by dark vaulted passages that provide welcome shade in the hot summer.

The streets are full of colour with hundreds of window boxes and flowers outside every house.

The Rue Grimaldi is the main street in the village and is lined with interesting souvenir and craft shops.

The peninsula of Cap Martin is less built up than Cap Ferrat and Cap d'Antibes but just as exclusive. The road around the cap provides superb views of bay of Menton and Monaco.

The cap is covered in olive groves and pine trees hiding many of the luxurious villas.

There is very little of interest here to the tourists that is just how the residents like it.

Many celebrities live here because of its proximity to Monaco and it is a challenge to see most of the villas behind their imposing gates and walls.

The Promenade Le Corbusier offers a glimpse of some of the villas.

The path is named after the architect who drowned here in 1965 and runs along the Monaco side of The Cape.

Like neighbouring Menton, the beaches here are excellent and never too crowded.

This seaside resort remains a hot spot of the famous French Riviera.

There is an air of elegance and refinement that one only finds in the harmony of colours and lines.

The town offers you the most perfect example.

Here, they combine colour and light with originality, sculptures of the shapes, and audacious architectural buildings.

The sun pours droplets of gold on the rich vegetation, with rows of palm trees facing the sea.

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Virtual Tours

Choose your viewer, Quicktime or Java by clicking on the corresponding logo.

Old village 1 Old village 2 Old village 3 Panorama from the hills Church Sainte Marguerite Feudal tower - Panorama Thousand-year-old olive tree Virtual tours courtesy of Philippe Laval for this page.

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Useful Links and Resources

• City council and Tourism official website.
• The Riviera Times Website (English newspaper).
• The Riviera Reporter Website (English magazine).
• Riviera Radio Website (English radio).
• International Radio Website (English radio).

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