Gorbio

Visit Gorbio, Provence

Gorbio is a village perched on the side of a hill just a few kilometres inland from Menton, on the Cote d'Azur in the south-eastern corner of Provence. The views from around the village are, not surprisingly, very attractive and as well as the valley itself you can see out across the Mediterranean.

As with the other 'perched villages' in this region of Provence it is the stunning location of Gorbio that is a large part of the attraction. The village is high up in the Gorbio Valley, with steep sloped valleys covered with trees and olives rising steeply all around the village.

Exploring Gorbio

Start your visit in the main square in Gorbio. Here you can see an unusual feature the town is especially proud - a splendid elm tree with an enormous trunk said to be 300 years old and now officially listed as one of the 'most remarkable trees in France (who keeps a list like that I wonder). Also in the main square is the 19th century Malaussene fountain, once an important source of water for the village.

The medieval village follows a loop to the east of the square, passing by the Place de la Mairie (with the Town Hall and a little fountain), the church and Place de l'eglise, then round throught he Place Honoré Vial and back along Rue Gambetta.

The cobbled narrow streets and ancient houses (mostly 14th - 16th century) winding through Gorbio make it a very pleasant place to explore, with some lovely covered passageways and tiny open squares to discover en-route.

Other monuments in Gorbio include the 17th century Church of Saint-Barthélemy (with a colourful patterned roof on the clocktower), the 15th century Chapel of of the Penitents-Blancs and the 12th century Chapel of Saint-Lazare. On the edge of the village the large building overlooking the valley is the Chateau of the Comtes de Malaussene, an unimposing 17th century castle.

In the tower that remains from the medieval Chateau des Lascaris there is a small museum dedicated to the history of the village and region.

One of the more curious annual events in Gorbio's calendar is a procession of penitents held each June, lit only be small lights made from snail shells! I couldn't find the historical reason for such a curious idea...

Note: despite its proximity to the busy French riviera, Gorbio is not overrun with tourists and has limited village facilities.

Suggested places to visit near Gorbio, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Peillon 5km; La Turbie 6km; Sospel 10km; Villefranche-sur-Mer 14km; Cap Ferrat 15km; Coaraze 15km; Nice 17km; Saorge 24km; Saorge Monastery 25km; Cagnes-sur-Mer 28km; Vence 28km; Saint-Paul-de-Vence 28km; Tourrettes-sur-Loup 32km; Biot 33km; Antibes 35km; Tende 36km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Gorbio

Gorbio tourism: sights and attractions nearby

La citronneraie - remarkable garden (5km) : Serre de la Madone - remarkable garden (5km) : Palais Carnolès - remarkable garden (5km) : Tete de Chien - site of natural beauty (7km) : Jardins Ephrussi de Rothschild - remarkable garden (14km) : Jardin botanique - remarkable garden (17km) : Baou de Saint-Jeannet - site of natural beauty (25km) : Le Vallon du Brec - remarkable garden (32km) :

French version: see Gorbio (Francais)