Roquebrune-Cap-Martin

Visit Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, Provence

Roquebrune-Cap-Martin is a coast town on the Cote d'Azur, between Menton and Monaco in the south-eastern corner of France. In the early decades of the 20th century Cap Martin was THE place to go and be seen, a hangout for the rich and famous of the time.

Exploring Roquebrune-Cap-Martin

The town falls into distinctive parts: the historic village on the hill called mont Agel, and the coastal facing resort below.

Medieval Roquebrune-Cap-Martin

The pretty medieval village, overlooking Cap Martin, has lovely narrow streets to explore winding between beautifully restored medieval houses. Some of the narrow passageways are vaulted and covered, adding further to the enjoyment of an exploration.

Roquebrune-Cap-Martin village is best known for its castle - built in the 10th century to keep the saracens out - and the castle donjon, thought  to be the oldest in France which stands above the village. Much of the castle we now see was added later by the Grimaldi family, once very powerful in the region.

There is also an ancient olive tree here that is said to be one of the oldest in the world at more than 2000 years old.

In the old village of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin you can also see the Church of Saint-Marguerite which dates from the 12th century but has been substantially rebuilt over the centuries - hence the colourful baroque style facade added in the 17th century.

Every 5th August there is a religious procession through the town, giving thanks for the relief that the people received during an attack of the plague in 1467, so this is a good time to visit if you are in the region in the summer.

New town and resort of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin

The town below is where you will find the beach and all the major commerces for the town. There are also several very distinguished villas and gardens constructed in the early years of the 20th century (in 1904 the peninsula was divided and building plots sold).

There is a pleasant coastal walk along Cap Martin that starts from just below the village and is named after the architect Le Corbusier who drowned here in 1965. It is along the coastal path (or by boat along the coast) that you can see an attractive modernist house called Villa E-1027 and built in the 1930's by an architect called Eileen Gray.

Suggested places to visit near Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: La Turbie 5km; Peillon 7km; Sospel 13km; Cap Ferrat 14km; Villefranche-sur-Mer 14km; Nice 17km; Coaraze 18km; Saorge 26km; Saorge Monastery 27km; Cagnes-sur-Mer 28km; Saint-Paul-de-Vence 28km; Vence 28km; Tourrettes-sur-Loup 33km; Biot 33km; Antibes 34km; Juan-les-Pins 36km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Roquebrune-Cap-Martin

Roquebrune-Cap-Martin tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Serre de la Madone - remarkable garden (3km) : La citronneraie - remarkable garden (3km) : Palais Carnolès - remarkable garden (3km) : Tete de Chien - site of natural beauty (6km) : Jardins Ephrussi de Rothschild - remarkable garden (13km) : Jardin botanique - remarkable garden (17km) : Baou de Saint-Jeannet - site of natural beauty (26km) : Jardin botanique de la villa Thuret - remarkable garden (34km) :

French version: see Roquebrune-Cap-Martin (Francais)