ROQUEBRUNE-CAP-MARTIN
Between land and sea

Roquebrune-Cap-Martin is known for its historical and architectural heritage, notably its medieval castle.
The town is also known for its beaches and water sports activities, such as swimming, kayaking, diving and sailing.

Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, a medieval village, typical of the south of France!
Sheltered from the northerly winds by the 1145-metre-high Mont Agel, and bathed by the waves of the Mediterranean, its territory is home to a wealth of flora.

Nature and discovery

The Promenade Le Corbusier, formerly the chemin des douaniers.
A pedestrian walkway along the Cap Martin coastline, the chemin des douaniers has been trodden by empresses, smugglers, families and sports enthusiasts alike.
Stroll along the coast from the tip of Cap Martin to Monaco.

Set up between the rocks eroded by the waves and the beautiful properties of Cap Martin.
Admire splendid marine landscapes and a particular vegetation, mixing endemic species and exotic plants.

To see along the path:
- Bust of the architect Le Corbusier
- Cabanon Le Corbusier
- Villa E1027
- Beaches of Buse and Golfe Bleu (paraglider landing area)
- Grand Hôtel du Cap
- The villas of Cap Martin.

Roquebrun'ailes Parapente

Roquebrun paragliding wings copyright Michel Farrugia

Beach Resort

The city offers a wide variety of water activities for water sports enthusiasts.
You can practice sailing, kayaking, paddle, jet skiing, scuba diving, windsurfing, water skiing and many other activities...

Roquebrune-Cap-Martin has several fine sand and pebble beaches, as well as protected coves and bays, ideal for the practice of these sports.
Take advantage of the numerous sailing and diving schools, as well as equipment rentals to discover these activities in complete safety.

The castle and its medieval village

Built in 970 by Conrad I, Count of Ventimiglia, the castle was intended to defend the western border of the feudal domain and to prevent a possible offensive return, by land or sea, of the Saracen hordes that roamed the area.

The fortress then included the whole village.

In the 15th century, the Grimaldis increased the keep's military power.
Sold as national property in 1808 to five citizens of Roquebrun, it was sold in 1911 to a wealthy British tourist, Sir William Ingram.
Ingram began work on the château, but eventually handed it over to the commune in 1921.

Overlooking the medieval village, a visit to the castle allows you to wander through the alleys full of character, sometimes carved out of the rock.

Not to be missed in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin:
- the washhouse
- the place of the two brothers
- the church of Sainte-Marguerite
- the replica of the forge
- the Montcollet street
- the place of Captain Vincent
- the Olivier Millénaire

 

The broom festival

The village of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, the cradle of the city, is suspended from a cliff nearly 300 meters above the sea.

The legend justifies this position by an earthquake that occurred in the 7th century.
A violent tremor shook the region and the hillside that sheltered Roquebrune began to slide down towards the sea.
The boulders miraculously stopped halfway down the slope, thus sparing the village.
A small wild shrub with golden flowers, the broom, pushed in this slope managed to interrupt this fall and to save the village.

The broom flower is therefore celebrated every year at the end of June.
Children parade in costumes adorned with these yellow flowers and one of the first open-air dances announces the summer season in the village.

Discover different architectures

  • Religious architecture: The church of Saint Joseph, the church of Saint Martin du Cap, the parish church of Saint Margaret, the Chapel of the Pausa.
  • 20th century architecture: Villa E1027 , Le Cabanon and camping units by Le Corbusier, L'Etoile de mer.
  • Military architecture: The fort of Cap Martin, The Fort of Cros de Casté
  • Belle Epoque architecture: The monument to the Austrian Empress Elisabeth (Sissi)

Its history

As early as the 19th century, the wealthy English and Russians who frequented the French Riviera settled in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin.
They fled the harshness of their winters to enjoy the mild climate and beautiful shores. In 1887, Stephen Liegeard, former sub-prefect and deputy for Moselle, and a writer in his spare time, published a book entitled "La Côte d'Azur" and created a myth.

From then on, history and a certain art of living merged into one when evoking this "label", which supplanted that of the "Riviera".

Roquebrune-Cap-Martin is naturally part of this trend: a meeting place for designers and artists of all kinds, a blend of eccentricity, exoticism and authenticity, everything contributes to the inimitable Côte d'Azur "style".