Situated over 800 meters high, this small town (which is still the largest of the department with an area of ​​17 747 hectares) has always been the key position of the road to the pass of Tende to Italy. This village, built in terraces on a hillside, is dominated by the Clock Tower and the ruins of the castle of the Lascaris. The commune of Tende is a border with Italy. It is located inside the Mercantour National Park and at the entrance to the Valley of Wonders.

HISTORY

Tende is on the "Salt Road" linking Nice to Italy through the Tende Pass (1871 meters). Salt, used to preserve food, came from the salt marshes of Toulon and Hyères. It was transported by sea to the port of Nice. The salt road passed through the village of Escarène, the Col de Braus, Sospel, the Col de Brouis, the Giandola, Fontan, Tende, Tende Pass, then in Italy, Limone, Cuneo and Turin. Thousands of mules carried loads of goods, whatever the weather. An intervention squad, I Collanti , the men of the pass, ensured the sustainability of the road, at all costs. In winter, they dug steps and platforms in the ice to facilitate the rise of the animals.

In 1882, the tunnel made it easier to cross the mountains. The memory of the mules of Tende is honored each year. On the second Sunday of July, a local celebration is dedicated to them.

Like many other villages in the valley, Tende changed hands several times during its history : the village was French, Piedmontese and Sardinian. Tende became French in 1947, as a result of a treaty signed between France and Italy. The people of Tende confirmed at a referendum, their wish to become French.

TO SEE

The cultural and religious heritage of Tende is as rich as its history. On the steep streets, between walls painted in warm colors (sometimes with trompe l'oeil), you'll find several old stone bridges and doors with carved lintels.

On the heights of the village, you can visit the beautiful Collegiate Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption dating from the fifteenth century and the ruins of the Lascaris castle. Below is the White Penitents chapel, built in the seventeenth century. It has a Baroque altarpiece with a polychrome carved wood frame and a painting of the Annunciation. Near the ruins of the Lascaris castle, there is also the Saint-Sauveur Chapel. It is the oldest chapel of Tende. It dates from the thirteenth century and contains frescoes dating from the fourteenth century.

At the north and the south of the village, you will find the old fortified gates that closed access to the medieval village.

TO DO

Tende is a mountain resort. You can practice many sports throughout the year. The via ferratta on a 1,000-meter course, bike, golf on the course of the hamlet of Vievola or hunting and fishing.

Tende is the starting point of the hiking trails of the Fontanalba Valley and the Valmasque Valley which will lead you to an area with many glacial lakes. More importantly, Tende is the starting point of the Valley of Wonders. On marked trails, you will discover this exceptional site, listed World Heritage of UNESCO for its thousands of frescoes dating back to prehistoric times.

In winter you can enjoy downhill skiing and cross country skiing at the Reserve Blanche resort which is 20 minutes from the village. It has over 100 km of slopes and 33 lifts.

ACCESS

Tende is located 80 km from Nice and 60 km from Menton.

The fastest route to get to Tende from Nice is to take the A8 motorway to Ventimiglia in Italy then take the road to the Tende Pass (E74) via Breil-sur-Roya and Saorge.