Escapade Roquebrune Cap Martin

We’re off to explore Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, a seaside village, nestled imbetween the Principality of Monaco and Menton.

From its shoreline to its Old Village, Roquebrune Cap Martin has everything to please fans of ancient stones and lovers of architecture. The village is steeped in history: from the medieval village and its château to Sainte-Marguerite church, from its 1000 year old olive tree to Vallonet cave and Le Corbusier cabin.

A leap into the Middle Ages

We‘ll start our journey into the past with a visit to Roquebrune’s Old Town. Walking through its lanes, typical of any medieval village, we’ll get a chance to explore its 10th century château (registered as a French historic monument of note), medieval fortifications and keep. The oldest keep in France, it was built on tertiary rock and its impressive 250m wall-walk dominates the area.

Our visit of the town continues with a discovery tour of its famous residents. The oldest one among them is a thousand year old olive tree, whose roots are reputed to have a 20m spread! It is thought to be one of the oldest olive trees in France.

The almost palatial opulence of some of the homes in Roquebrune, remind us of some of its famous residents. Crowned heads, writers, and artists all made their way to Roquebrune in search of inspiration and rest: Sir Winston Churchill, Coco Chanel, Sacha Guitry, Jacques Brel, Silvana Mangano, Eileen Gray, and Le Corbusier to name a few.

A walk along the Cap Martin path, past coves and gardens, will take us past some of the most beautiful Belle Époque villas along the Mediterranean coast.

Cap Martin walking path

Whatever the season, on a sunny day, a walk along this coastal path is always a treat. From Roquebrune, you can choose to take the path in the direction of Monaco or Menton.

Starting from Roquebrune Tourism Office, we will be making for Cap Martin, via the Le Corbusier cabin.

Strolling by the sea, past Belle Époque villas and lush Mediterranean coastal vegetation (pistachio trees, fir trees, aloe plants, agaves, palm trees etc.) the walk also leads us past a modern cabin designed by the great architect Charles-Edouard Jeanneret, known as Le Corbusier.

This 15m² pine model of minimalist living, built in the shadow of a beautiful carob tree, is under consideration for inclusion on the list of world heritage sites (guided tours by at fixed times via the Tourism Office of Roquebrune Cap Martin).

We will follow the path as far as Carnolès train station (in Menton), from where we can either return to Roquebrune by train, or take the path back on foot.