Peira Cava :

Cross-country skiing, snow and winter sports: winter in Peira Cava

The oldest cross-country skiing resort in the Alpes-Maritimes, Peira Cava was a coveted destination for revellers from the Mediterranean coast and Monaco. Now much quieter, it has become a genuine haven for lovers of nature and wide open spaces. In winter, its pure white cloak and old-fashioned charm make it an ideal choice for nature fans trying out winter sports for the first time, with 3 easy cross-country and snowshoeing trails criss-crossing enchanted landscapes at the gateway to MercantourNational Park: one yellow, one red and a loop comprising three different trails. A little white paradise, a stone’s throw from the Côte d’Azur!

Peira Cava: history and panoramas

Formerly inhabited by shepherds and farmers, Peira Cava became a strategic military lookout post in the late 19th century, in charge of monitoring the Italian border. The ancient Crénant barracks have now been converted into a summer camp. Peira Cava‘s finest hour came a few years later, when the Nice bourgeoisie came here to try their hand at skiing – often for the first time – and sporting pioneers vied for victory in the first tobogganing, speed skating, ice hockey and ski jumping competitions. The labyrinth of old lanes leading to the Placette in the village centre is still redolent with a coquettish atmosphere. A 15-metre ancient tower built in the shape of a horseshoe stands guard over the village, topped with an orientation table boasting gorgeous views over the valleys of Vésubie, Paillons and Authion all the way to the sea…

Less than an hour’s drive from Peira Cava, the Côte d’Azur and Musée Matisse de Nice are must-dos during your stay. Standing amid ancient Roman ruins, the Villa des Arènes – the home of the Matisse museum – is a pearl of Nice architecture complete with an elegant red facade and rooms bedecked in finery. Discover the life and work of this acclaimed artist and genius of the Fauvism movement. And don’t miss the region’s many other exciting museums too!