The Roya Valley, between the Alps and the Mediterranean | Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Tourism

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The Roya Valley

The Roya rises at an altitude of 1,871 meters on the Col de Tende, and flows for around sixty kilometres into the Mediterranean Sea at Ventimiglia in Italy. The Roya Valley, with its high peaks, typical villages and unique historical heritage, is a popular tourist destination in the Alpes-Maritimes and the Mercantour National Park.

A valley between the Alps and the Mediterranean

Just a few miles from the beaches of the Côte d’Azur, the Roya valley offers a wide variety of landscapes and ecosystems.

The highest peaks rise to almost 3,000 meters. The landscape is typical of the Alps, with mountain pastures and cliffs. Snow remains visible on the northern slopes until early summer. The slopes of the upper Roya valley are covered in coniferous forests with cembro pines, firs, larches and spruces. Closer to the sea, the vegetation becomes Mediterranean. Olive trees, maritime pines and scrubland take over the last mountains and hills.

The Roya Valley is home to a rare and varied flora and fauna: flowers, plants, fish, amphibians, birds, insects, mammals and reptiles all thrive in this wide variety of ecosystems.

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The villages of the Roya Valley

From the Col de Turini to the Italian border, the Roya Valley is home to a host of authentic tourist villages.

Tende, situated on a mountainside at an altitude of 800 metres, is the last village before the Italian border. You can visit the Museum of Wonders, and discover a remarkable heritage with the Chapelle Saint-Sébastien and the remains of the Château de Tende.

The medieval village of La Brigue, crossed by the Lévensa torrent, has narrow streets and old stone houses. You can visit the 15th-century Collégiale Saint-Martin or contemplate the ruins of the Château Lascaris.

Fontan is another medieval village in the Roya valley, renowned for its picturesque streets. The 17th-century church of Notre-Dame-de-la-Visitation is famous for its bulbous bell tower and Baroque façade. You can also take the winding road to the hamlets of Berghe, where breathtaking views await you.

The village of Saorge was built like a fortress. You’ll love wandering through its vaulted passageways and labyrinth of narrow streets. Heritage lovers can visit the Saorge Monastery, famous for its frescoes and painted decorations.

Breil-sur-Roya lies in a meander of the Roya river. Many olive trees surround this colourful village with its Mediterranean atmosphere. An orientation table awaits you at the foot of the Tour de la Cruella, an ancient medieval fortification.

A paradise for nature lovers

The Roya Valley is a paradise for nature lovers and outdoor sports enthusiasts.

The many hiking trails cater for walkers of all abilities. From the easiest walks to the most challenging itineraries, with a day hike or an overnight stay in a refuge, you’re bound to find trails to suit your level of ability. You can also discover the Roya Valley by mountain bike or bicycle. Horse-riding centres also offer a range of rides, so you can explore the area on horseback with your family or friends.

Thrill-seekers can try out new activities: via ferrata, accrobranche, climbing, paragliding or canyoning, the choice is yours!

In winter, snow covers the peaks and high valleys of the Mercantour. Here you can enjoy ski touring, snowshoeing or dog sledding.

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A wide range of gastronomic specialities

You can enjoy polenta, a cake or porridge from Piedmont made with corn flour. Pies filled with wild plants and vegetables from the kitchen garden are very popular in summer: chard pies are delicious. You can also try suggellis, tasty fresh pasta made with a fork and thumb using traditional methods.

Tende is renowned for its beekeeping. You can visit the Maison du miel et de l’abeille (honey and bee centre) and take home a jar of honey or an artisanal speciality. The locals call it “rochia de a Briga”.

The “Pomme de la Brigue“, a small red apple, originated in the 19th century, when numerous orchards were planted in the valley.

Breil-sur-Roya is famous for its olives. You can take away a bottle of local olive oil as a souvenir of your visit to the village.

The engravings in the Valley of Wonders

Near Mount Bego, which rises to 2872 meters, man has engraved religious motifs and symbols. These thousands of engravings have survived the millennia and continue to amaze visitors. From spring to autumn, you can discover these Bronze Age treasures on the signposted trails, the oldest of which date back 5,000 years.

This protected site is fragile, and you must observe rules to protect it. Pets and iron walking sticks are not allowed, and you can’t carve the rocks, walk on the carvings or use non-biodegradable products.

We invite you to discover the Valley of Wonders with a guided tour organised by the Mercantour National Park. Our state-certified guides will take you off the beaten track and reveal the latest archaeological findings and hypotheses to explain the significance of these engravings.

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Explore the Roya Valley by train

The Nice-Breil-Tende railway line follows the Roya valley through impressive viaducts and tunnels. Its route allows you to admire sumptuous landscapes in excellent conditions of comfort, with unique panoramas over the Roya, Bévéra and Peillon valleys. The railway also takes you to the Bévéra Valley, and more specifically to Sospel.

From May to October, a tour guide is on hand on the morning drive to introduce you to this exceptional heritage.

By taking the Nice-Breil-Tende line, you are adopting an eco-responsible approach to discovering one of the most beautiful areas of the Alpes-Maritimes.

Practical information

The Roya Valley is open all year round.

From Nice, take the D2204 towards Sospel, then Tende.

From Ventimiglia (Italy), you can take the SS20 towards Airole and then Breil sur Roya. This route is less winding.

Would you like to take part in thrilling activities or sports (climbing, canyoning, via ferrata, mountaineering, etc.)? You can get in touch with the Mercantour Guide Bureau or another specialist service provider to benefit from specialist supervision.

We also recommend that you bring suitable equipment for hiking and other outdoor activities, and plenty of water.