The Vésubie Valley

In the Mercantour massif, the Vésubie is a river that flows through the bottom of a deep valley before joining the Var and then the Mediterranean. Renowned for its Alpine and Mediterranean-influenced landscapes, the Vésubie valley will appeal to lovers of nature and heritage.

A valley with Alpine and Mediterranean influences

The Vésubie torrent rises at an altitude of 2,665 metres at the “White Lake”, in a high mountain landscape. As it descends, the high mountain pastures give way to fir and Scots pine forests. In the lower Vésubie valley, downy oaks predominate. Olive trees and scrubland grow at lower altitudes.

You can discover the treasures of the Vésubie valley by taking the roads, paths and tracks, or by reaching the highest mountains, which rise to over 3,000 metres.

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Tourist villages and an authentic heritage

Situated at the confluence of the Boréon and Madone torrents, at an altitude of around 1,000 metres, Saint-Martin-Vésubie is famous for its houses with colourful facades and its church, Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption, with its Baroque façade. A popular health resort for the people of Nice in the early 20th century, the village of Saint-Martin-Vésubie continues to attract visitors with its remarkable scenery. Numerous cultural events and festivals are held here during the summer season.

Belvédère, a medieval village nestling at an altitude of 600 metres in the Gordolasque valley, offers an exceptional panorama. Here you can discover tall houses with drying sheds under the roofs. The Baroque church of Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul stands out with its square bell tower, high altar and 17th-century altarpiece. Belvédère faces Roquebillière, a spa renowned for its therapeutic properties on rheumatism and the respiratory tract.

You then arrive at La Bollène-Vésubie, another charming hilltop village in the hinterland of Nice. A stroll through its labyrinth of steep, narrow streets is full of surprises.

In a setting with Mediterranean accents, Lantosqueoccupies a hilltop position at an altitude of almost 500 metres. The municipality is home to a number of hamlets, the starting points or destinations for many walks.

Utelle is best known for its Sanctuary of the Madonna of Utelle and its church. The village boasts some beautiful stone houses. Centuries old, these houses will appeal to heritage lovers.

A wide range of outdoor activities in summer

The hiking trails in the Vésubie valley offer spectacular views of mountains, rivers, forests, villages and hamlets. There are many routes to choose from, from the most accessible walks to the most challenging climbs. Experienced hikers can reach Lac de Fenestre, at an altitude of almost 2,500 metres.

You can also discover the valley’s landscapes by mountain bike, following the many signposted routes: you can contact the local tourist offices or use apps. Some service providers also offer horse-riding.

The Vésubie valley is also renowned for its canyoning, with popular sites including the vallon de l’Imberguet, the riou de la Bollène and the vallon de Bagnolar.

Thrill-seekers can head to the via ferrata at “Baus de la Frema”, which is both aerial and fun, with its many facilities including monkey bridges and a ladder facing the void. There are also climbing sites for all levels of climber.

In summer, the mountain resorts of the Vésubie valley offer a wide range of activities: zip-lining, Trotin’Herbe, Tubbing sledging, Deval’Kart, indoor climbing – the choice is yours!

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Meet the wolves at Alpha Park

Located in the heart of the Mercantour National Park, in the Boréon valley, Alpha Park is home to several wolf packs. These packs live in vast open spaces in conditions that are very similar to those found in the wild. Guided tours can be booked in advance to discover the secret life of these mysterious and fascinating animals, who are once again populating our mountains and countryside. Far from the clichés, tales and fantasies, the wolf is presented in an objective light at Parc Alpha.

Would you like to get up close and personal with the wolves? Parc Alpha invites you to spend a whole morning behind the scenes with a wolf keeper.

Winter in the Vésubie valley

Snow covers the peaks of the Vésubie valley in winter.

The resort of La Colmiane, situated at an altitude of between 1400 and 1800 metres, caters for downhill skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts. The ski area boasts 30 kilometres of pistes and 6 ski lifts. Steep slopes, undulating passages and flat areas cater for the desires of all skiers, beginners and experienced alike.

Turini Camp d’Argent has a snow area specially designed for the youngest skiers, allowing them to learn to ski or toboggan in a family atmosphere.

You can also take to the snow-covered slopes on snowshoes or cross-country skis, and explore the vast, trackless open spaces and sumptuous landscapes.

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Practical Information

The Vésubie valley is easily accessible from Nice, following the Var valley towards Carros and Plan du Var.

You are in a mountainous area, and we urge you to take care by bringing suitable equipment, sufficient water and protection from the sun (sunglasses, headgear). You can contact the Vésubie Mercantour guide bureau or another service provider to enjoy thrilling activities in the safest possible conditions: via ferrata, canyoning, climbing, ski touring, etc.