In the far south-eastern corner of the French mainland, in the hinterland behind the sophisticated resorts of the Cote d’Azur, lies one of France’s best kept secrets - a still relatively undiscovered region of untamed natural beauty and with a rich cultural heritage which will be a source of continual surprise and delight to travellers seeking a little bit more than the conventional holiday experience.
The appropriately named train des merveilles (train of wonders) opens up this region, climbing north from Nice at a gentle pace almost immediately into the foothills of the Alps via the scenic valleys of the Roya and Bevera, affording constant views of steeply terraced hillsides, plunging ravines, medieval Provencal perched villages and vestiges of former fortifications which bear eloquent testimony to the region’s often stormy past. Skirting the protected area of outstanding natural beauty, the Mercantour National Park, it continues to Tende. This is the gateway to the Vallee des Merveilles which gives the train its name.
To enable you to explore both these remarkable areas, our itinerary includes 3 nights in Sospel and la Brigue respectively, in hotels specially chosen not just for their high level of comfort and warmth of welcome, but for the special passion their owners have for their region and genuine desire to help you discover it to its maximum advantage with specially organised walks and excursions.
Sospel
Sospel is a charming medieval town on the fast-flowing Brevera river, on the southern edge of the Mercantour, and a delight to explore with its paved arcades, ornate fountains and houses decorated with unusual, colourful trompe l’oeil designs. Apart from its market along the river’s edge, full of mouth-watering local produce, there are regular events and festivals throughout the year, including even a celebrated scarecrow festival. The Mercantour is a paradise for walkers, botanists, bird-watchers and lovers of nature in all its glory, rich in flora and fauna, including eagles, peregrine falcons, vultures, ibex, chamois, mouflons and wild boar
La Brigue
La Brigue is much higher up the Roya valley (770 m), just south of Tende, and another beautifully preserved medieval jewel with a 1000-year history, nestling at the foot of a mountain cirque and noted for its winding cobbled streets, vaulted riverside passageways and distinctive baroque architecture. It is also at the gateway to the Vallee des Merveilles, a beautiful mountain wilderness 6000ft above sea level, also rich in wildlife rarely found elsewhere in Europe, but famous above all for its unparalleled collection of over 30,000 amazingly preserved Bronze Age rock carvings.
Prices
are per person based on 2 sharing a room.
April, May: £738
June – September: £799
October: £689
Single supp £152/£179/£135 respectively.