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Chateau de Sainte-Agnes

A short walk with great views of the coast around Menton

featured in Hiking & walking routes Updated

Perched high up on the rocks above Menton this lovely village offers great views and classic mediterranean architecture. 

The village of Sainte-Agnes used to protect the Franco-Italian border on the Maginot line and was a coveted military site for many years. Today however, the village rewards visitors seeking authenticity with narrow paved streets and its unobstructed view of the coastline near Menton.

What to bring

IGN map 3742OT is recommended for this walk.

Directions

This walk starts in the hamlet of Colline. The path starts near the local bins at the crossroads. There are yellow paint splashes to mark the way but they are few and far between. but the path follows the raod east along the Col des Olives. At the bins the path veers off to the left. The path meets a concrete road, take this right to contour around the hillside. The road becomes gated though there is a thoroughfare on the right, Keep to this road through Viraron.

There are properties either side, follow the road to the right. In front of you there is a big yellow house. The path goes down the side of this house. The path contours and climbs back up amongst some houses. Keep to the road and you will eventually come to a green steel barrier. Here the road becomes a track, cross the river keeping the cascade to your left and the path starts to climb rapidly. As the path starts to level out you meet the GR51, outside the La Virette ruins. From here take a left and follow the red and white GR markers.

Keeping to the path you cross the river to the other side of the valley. The path continues to the col before the village, from here you take a detour into the village and up to the Chateau. The descent takes you back to the col before the village and just off the first road descending down the valley the path continues taking you behind the school. The path is easy to follow on the way back, crossing the road twice. The first time, turn left and follow the road for a few hundred meters then turn down right. The second time, turn right along the road for a short distance then take the path on the left to return to the starting point.

Location

Map of the surrounding area