Castellar: Heritage, Art and Hiking Trails

Castellar offers plenty to inspire travellers looking to include heritage, art and hiking in their stay. Its attractions range from exhibitions and sacred artworks to a hike with views of coastal towns. Olive growing, regional products and crafts round out these themes.

Heritage and sacred art

The Palais Lascaris houses a permanent exhibition that is free to visit. It presents objects discovered at the Abri Pendimoun archaeological site. If you plan to visit the exhibition, check the visiting arrangements before your trip.

The Chapelle Saint-Sébastien is one of the canton’s few Romanesque buildings and has been listed as a historic monument since 1925. The Chapelle Saint-Antoine dates from the 17th century. Its open porch is characteristic of the traditional rural architecture of the County of Nice. A historic event is associated with the space in front of the chapel: on 16 November 1623, the last witch in the Alpes-Maritimes département was executed and burned there.

At the Église paroissiale Saint-Pierre, you’ll find artworks from different centuries. Fifteen painted canvas medallions dating from the mid-19th century hang around the Marian altar and depict the Mysteries of the Rosary. In the side chapel of Saint-Étienne is a carved wooden figure of Christ lying down, dating from the 18th century. The church’s furnishings also include a late-17th-century painting of the Baptism of Christ and an 18th-century depiction of Saint Francis receiving the stigmata.

The Chapelle du Saint-Esprit, also known as the Pénitents Blancs, dates from the 16th century. Its lintel, carved from stone, depicts two hooded penitents offering incense to the Holy Spirit. A dove symbolises the Holy Spirit. The motif links the figures to a clearly identified religious symbol.

Olives, crafts and encounters

From April to October, the Moulin à huile hosts an exhibition all about olives. It offers a glimpse into the world of olive growing. This seasonal exhibition is worth factoring into your travel plans.

Every Sunday, Cant d’a Grana welcomes visitors to its market. You can talk about permaculture, sample regional products and crafts, and buy products. Check the current programme before your trip.

In the artists’ village of Castellar, you can meet artists and craftspeople and discover their work in studios and galleries. The selection includes sculptures, paintings, ceramics and cutlery. These different crafts give art lovers specific themes to guide their explorations. Check in advance what studio visits are currently available.

Hiking and views

The Tour du Roc de l’Orméa hike offers striking views from the summit over the coastal towns of Ventimiglia, Menton and Monaco. These named towns are the shared focal point of the vista.

Another destination is the ruins of Vieux Castellar, about an hour and a half’s walk from Castellar. From Vieux Castellar, you can enjoy a lovely view of the sea and the hinterland around Menton. The two hiking destinations offer different highlights: the Tour du Roc de l’Orméa focuses on summit views over several coastal towns, while Vieux Castellar combines its ruins with views of the sea and hinterland.

Discover more destinations: Cipières, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, Tende, La Tour, Saint-Martin-Du-Var, Mouans-Sartoux, Coursegoules, Chateauneuf-Villevieille.

For the broader travel overview: Alpes-Maritimes.