Sospel

Visit Sospel, Provence

Sospel is a small town situated about 15km inland from the coastal resort of Menton and close to the French border with Italy. Standing at the entrance to the Roya Valley, the town is within the extensive Mercantour National Parc, with the busy Riviera resorts to the south and the mountains and remote perched villages to the north.

An ancient town, Sospel became prosperous in the 13th century when an important salt trading route between Nice and Turin passed through the town and those using the route paid tolls to use the bridge across the Bévéra river.

Exploring Sospel

This medieval town in a pretty setting on the River Bévéra feels almost Italian in character and has much to enjoy as you explore, both in the old town and along the river front.

Start your visit at the fortified stone bridge across the river that joins the two halves of the town. The tower in the centre of the fortified bridge was originally the toll gate for the mules using the trade route. (Note: except the lower part of the tower much of the bridge is a reconstruction, based on the original 11th century bridge and using the same stone, following extensive damage during the Second World War).

From the bridge there is a nice view of the houses along the riverbanks - but beware of trickery! Several of the houses have been painted using very realistic trompe l'oeil effects including false windows and doors, a technique that you will also see used elsewhere in Sospel.

The streets of the old town contain numerous attractive medieval houses, many with decorative painted facades. These open into small squares, some with traditional stone fountains of interest, such as the one in Place Saint-Nicolas (the most attractive of the squares) and another on Rue de la Republique. In Place Garibaldi you can also see a traditional washhouse.

The most important religious monument in Sospel is the baroque style Cathedral of Saint Michel, built in the 17th-18th centuries and facing an attrcative square with arcaded and pastel painted houses.

See also the 16th century Chapel of the Penitents Blancs, itself built on the site of an 11th century chapel (note, the unusual belltower on the chapel was added much more recently, in the 18th century). The chapel contains lots of interesting furnishings and paintings acquired over the centuries - enquire about admission at the Tourist office if the chapel is closed.

At one time Sospel was a fortified city and you can still see some castle ruins at Sospel, although little now remains except a 14th century tower.

Of more recent origin, just outside the town you can visit a museum that commemorates the Maginot Line, the defences constructed along the eastern border of France to prevent invasion during World War II. The museum is at Fort Saint Roch, constructed in the 1930's as part of these fortifications.

Opportunities for exploring scenic countryside and remote traditional villages are almost unlimited in the Mercantour National Parc, with the the Valley des Merveilles a popular highlight in the region.

Suggested places to visit near Sospel, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Coaraze 12km; Roquebrune-Cap-Martin 13km; Monaco 15km; Saorge 15km; La Turbie 15km; Saorge Monastery 16km; Villefranche-sur-Mer 22km; Cap Ferrat 24km; Nice 24km; Tende 26km; Vence 32km; Saint-Paul-de-Vence 33km; Cagnes-sur-Mer 34km; Tourrettes-sur-Loup 36km; Biot 40km; Gourdon 42km;

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

Sospel tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Serre de la Madone - remarkable garden (12km) : Palais Carnolès - remarkable garden (12km) : La citronneraie - remarkable garden (12km) : Tete de Chien - site of natural beauty (17km) : Jardins Ephrussi de Rothschild - remarkable garden (22km) : Jardin botanique - remarkable garden (24km) : Cirque du Gelas - site of natural beauty (28km) : Baou de Saint-Jeannet - site of natural beauty (29km) :

French version: see Sospel (Francais)