Planning a holiday on the Riviera? We invite you to take a detour to Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, a jewel hidden in the heights of the Côte d’Azur, between Monaco and Menton. With its narrow streets, colorful houses clinging to the mountains and breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea, Roquebrune is a magnet for travelers in search of authenticity and beauty.
Here’s our guide to the must-see places in the village of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin in Provence, and some useful tips for planning your visit.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
1. Admire the panoramic view from Place des 2 Frères
In the heart of the medieval village of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, the Place des 2 Frères offers a panoramic view of the Mediterranean. The views from the village are splendid. This is one of the reasons why Roquebrune is one of our favorite excursions in the region.
We immediately noticed its central olive tree, which is not the famous thousand-year-old olive tree famous in Roquebrune. The 2 brothers are the 2 rocks lining the square and opening onto rue Grimaldi. One of them is the castle promontory.
2. Visit the medieval castle
The medieval Château de Roquebrune is one of the few remaining examples ofCarolingian architecture in France. It was built in the 10th century. It was originally the keep of a fortress that included the entire village. The panorama of Monaco, the Mediterranean Sea, Cap Martin and the village rooftops was literally breathtaking.
- Opening hours: daily from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. from early May to late September
- Price: €5, free for children under 6
- See the latest news on the official website here
OUR TPS FOR RENTING YOUR CAR IN Provence
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is powerful enough (the roads are steep) but compact (some passages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
3. Follow Rue Montcollet
Rue Montcollet is cut into the rock at the foot of the Château de Roquebrune. It used to be the only access route. It’s made up ofdark staircases, vaulted passageways and medieval mansions where guests of the lordly court were housed. Its secret atmosphere, full of dark corners, delighted us.
4. Discover Sainte Marguerite Church
Around the bend in an alley and up a flight of stairs, we discovered theChurch of Saint Margaret. It stands on the edge of the calade of a tiny triangular square. It’s an ancient 13th-century chapel in warm colors. This church is part of the Baroque Route. Find out more here.
WHERE TO STAY IN Menton
Option 1: Downtown
Enjoy the charm of the old town and all its restaurants.
We recommend..:
- Hotel de Londres – prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Riva Art – prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Villa Genesis – prices, pictures and availability
Option 2: Port side
Easy access to the center and beautiful views of the old town.
- Hotel Napoleon with swimming pool – view prices, pictures and availability
Option 3: Beachside
15 to 30 minutes’ walk from the center between Roquebrune and downtown, to enjoy the sea.
- Best Western Premier Hotel Prince de Galles – view prices, pictures and availability
- Résidence Pierre & Vacances Premium Julia Augusta – see prices, photos and availability
5. Descend the Escalier du Chanoine Grana
Alongside the Église-Sainte-Marguerite, theEscalier du Chanoine Grana is a particularly steep, leafy alleyway that winds vertiginously down the village slope. We followed it for a while, to take in its charm, before heading back up to the heart of the village.
6. Take a break at Place de la Fontaine
The pretty Place de la Fontaine felt like a cocoon, under the vaulted ceiling of one of the last vestiges of the gateway dug into the ramparts that protected the village. The fountain is just offImpasse Scarouget, where French writer Romain Gary lived from 1950 to 1957.
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7. Enjoy the view Place du Capitaine Vincent
The Place du Capitaine Vincent overlooks one of the most magnificent viewsof the Mediterranean Sea. We were moved by the story that the writer Romain Gary was so attached to this landscape that it was here that he made his wife promise to “have his ashes scattered in the blue bay, just below the village”. This she did in 1980.
8. S’émouvoir au pied de l’Olivier Millénaire
For us tree lovers, this 2,000-year-old olive tree is the highlight of our visit to the village of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin. You have to leave the village to find it, on the Chemin de Menton. It has been classified as a Remarkable Tree of France since January 2016. Find out more here.
9. Go to Chapelle Saint Roch
A little further along the Chemin de Menton, we discovered the Chapelle Saint-Roch. This modest chapel was placed at the entrance to the village, like a sentinel, to protect the population from epidemics. Auguste Rodin lived in the house adjoining the chapel.
10. Find the Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs
Returning to the heart of the village, we almost missed the Chapelle-des Pénitents-Blancs. Indeed, this little chapel is barely visible. Located on rue Grimaldi, its plain door makes it impossible to guess its presence, despite its ashlar frame.
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Other things to do in and around Roquebrune
We’ve listed our must-haves, but you can also take advantage of..:
- Sentier Le Corbusier, from the tip of Cap-Martin to Monaco, 5km along the seafront. Sublime landscapes between sea and mountains. Suitable for families. Find out more here.
- The Villa Eileen Gray and Le Corbusier, known as Villa E1027, a manifesto of modern architecture that has become an iconic reference. Reservations essential. Find out more here.
- The Villa Lumone tomb, on the Via Julia Augusta Roman road. It’s part of a dedicated discovery trail. Find out more here.
- Monaco to discover the principality’s hidden treasures. See prices, photos and availability.
- Menton and all that this charming seaside town hasto offer.
- Discover Nice’s superb architecture on foot during a guided tour lasting less than 3 hours. See prices, photos and availability.
Is the village of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin worth a visit?
Yes, the village of Roquebrune is well worth a visit. It offers an unforgettable experience of history and Mediterranean charm. It’s a medieval village with steep streets, covered passageways and splendid views of the coast and Monaco. We really enjoyed exploring the village, and especially climbing to the top of the castle on a rocky outcrop. For even more views!
In our opinion, Roquebrune is one of the most beautiful villages on the Côte d’Azur and one of the must-see attractions around Menton.
How to get to Roquebrune + parking
Where is Roquebrune-Cap-Martin?
- In the Nice region, between Monaco and Menton
- From Nice to Roquebrune: 25min drive
How to get there
- We recommend that you get there by car.
- You can also come by train: TER from Nice, stop at Roquebrune-Cap-Martin. Find out more here. But there’s still a little over 20 minutes’ walk (uphill) to reach the village.
Parking in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin
During our visit, we parked in the pay parking lot along Avenue Raymond Poincaré, below the old village. Find out more here.
Visiting Roquebrune-Cap-Martin: useful tips
How long and when?
The castle tour lasts about 30min. Allow 30min to walk around the village, and a little more if you want to take full advantage of the breathtaking views over the Mediterranean Sea for a few photos.
In summer, come in the morning for greater peace and quiet.
Tour directions, map and difficulty
The Mairie de Roquebrune-Cap-Martin offers 2 Captivating Walks one of which allows you to walk in the footsteps of Romain Gary in the heart of the village (the other, in those of Winston Churchill at Cap-Martin). You can download the map online and the route is signposted all the way. Find out more here.
The village is very steep, with many steps and staircases. The visit is therefore very suitable for people with reduced mobility, who will not have access to the whole village.
Visiting with children
We didn’t see any special features dedicated to children, but the Romain Gary Captivating Walk is fun enough to intrigue even the youngest visitors. They should also appreciate the labyrinthine effect of the alleyways, staircases and other dark corners.
Restaurants
We haven’t tested any Roquebrune restaurants yet.
But on our list is:
- Restaurant La Grotte & L’Olivier, Place des 2 Frères, serving family-style Mediterranean cuisine.
- Restaurant Au Grand Inquisiteur, in Rue du Château, offers traditional French home cooking.
- Le Salon de Thé Fraise & Chocolat, just off Place des 2 Frères, has a sunny terrace for quiches and homemade sandwiches.
Hotels
A 5-minute drive from the village, still in the commune of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin,The Maybourne Riviera Hotel has been the talk of the town thanks to its ultra-modern, all-glass architecture and its location. If you can’t sleep here, you can go and have a drink and enjoy the view. Sublime! See prices, photos and availability.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO THE Côte d’Azur
- Inspiration
The most beautiful landscapes in 30 photos
Best things to do on the Côte d’Azur
Most beautiful villages
Best beaches on the Côte d’Azur
Most beautiful gardens
Best boat tours (coming soon)
Most beautiful islands
Secret places
- Practical advice
Successful travel on the Côte d’Azur (coming soon)
Rent a car in Provence – in Nice – in Cannes – in Marseille – in Aix-en-Provence.
Itineraries: 5 days – 1 week – 10 days
Weekend ideas: best-of – romantic – luxury – unusual
- Where to stay
Where to stay on the Côte d’Azur
Best luxury hotels on the Côte d’Azur
Hotels by the sea
Best boutique-hotels
SHE MADE THE TRIP Claire
