Discover Belvedere: Hiking, Chapels and Traditions

In Belvédère, hiking, sacred architecture and regional traditions come together. Topics range from a chapel trail and alpine landscapes to festivals and traditional crafts. If you are planning a stay, your interests can shape your focus: the Gordolasque landscape, the chapels and their history, or the customs observed throughout the year.

Hiking and the Gordolasque landscape

The Gordolasque Valley is 12 kilometres upstream from Belvédère. The Gordolasque is a tributary of the Vésubie, lies within the Parc National du Mercantour and forms an alpine valley. The forgotten chapel trail in Belvédère is a hiking route that explores rural chapels, as well as religious heritage and local history.

From Nice, the drive to the Gordolasque hiking trailheads follows the Vésubie Valley, passes Belvédère and then continues along the Gordolasque road to its end. Check local road conditions before setting out. The Vallée des Merveilles can only be reached on foot from the Gordolasque. More than 36,000 rock engravings from the Copper and Bronze Ages have been discovered in the valley. The Vallée des Merveilles and Fontanalbe ensemble is classified as a historic monument.

Trout fishing is also possible in the Gordolasque mountain stream. In addition to hiking, there are other activities expressly associated with the valley to choose from.

Chapels and sacred architecture

The parish church of Saint-Pierre and Saint-Paul dates from the 17th century and has a square tufa bell tower. The Chapelle Saint-Antoine on Rue Saint-Antoine dates from the late 15th century. Inside, there is an altar, paintings and murals.

The protective Coulagno ritual is still practised at the Chapelle Saint-Blaise. The chapel offers views over the Vésubie Valley; local conditions may vary. Above Belvédère, the Chapelle du Planet lies on the GR52A. It is dedicated to Regina Coeli Fenestra. The Chapelle Saint-Grat in the Gordolasque is associated with rural protective customs against storms and crop pests.

Festivals throughout the year

The Polente festival takes place the day after Mardi Gras. At Place des Tilleuls, there are seven square stone hearths and a large hearth still used to cook the sauce and polenta over a fire. The “Le retour des bergers” festival takes place on Saint Michael’s Day: the flocks descend from their summer pastures to the village, and the entire community celebrates the shepherds.

Saint Blaise is celebrated every year on 3 February in the chapel of the same name. The festival includes a Mass and a cabbage farandole led by the couples who were the last to marry in the previous year. If you would like to plan your trip around one of these festivals, check the date in advance.

Dairy crafts and visits by appointment

The Musée du Lait presents historic equipment for making butter and cheese, as well as old tools used in shepherding. It has been housed in the former dairy cooperative since 1911 and shares traditional knowledge of butter and cheese making. Visits are possible by prior arrangement through the information office of the Office de Tourisme Métropolitain Nice Côte d’Azur.

The local attractions therefore bring together landscapes, religious buildings, festivals and the working life of the past. As you plan your trip, you can consider which of these aspects interests you most and, if you wish, arrange a visit to the Musée du Lait in advance.

Discover more destinations: Marie, Beaulieu-Sur-Mer, Roubion, Roquebillière, Roquefort Les Pins, Le Rouret, Èze, Lucéram.

Return to the main travel overview: Alpes-Maritimes.