Drap: Chapel Art, Fortifications and Trails

Drap offers distinct points of interest, from a painting in a chapel to a long-distance hiking trail across the Plateau Tercier.

Chapel Art and Facades

The Chapel of the White Penitents, also known as the Sainte-Croix Chapel, was founded on February 2, 1682. It houses an oil painting of Christ at Emmaus, dated to around 1650. The painting is therefore about three decades older than the chapel’s founding. The chapel and painting offer two distinct perspectives on the timeline of local art history.

Other sights in Drap include the Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste and the Sainte-Catherine Chapel. The architecture of the houses is also part of the townscape: some facades still feature friezes from the Belle Époque, and painted facades are part of the town’s cultural heritage. Architectural interest thus extends beyond individual religious buildings.

Historical Traces on the Plateau Tercier

The Castellaras de la Colle des Castello on the Plateau Tercier is an oval protohistoric camp with three surrounding walls. This is distinct from the fortifications on the Plateau Tercier, which date from the mid-18th century and extend for almost one kilometer. The two sites therefore represent different historical periods and forms of construction.

The Château de Drap is also associated with the Plateau Tercier: the medieval château was built on a rocky spur at the edge of the plateau. The site is private. The ruins known as the Château de Drap appear more likely to correspond to a reconstruction involving a change of location, dating from around the 13th century. This cautious interpretation is part of their history; the name alone does not imply that visitors can access the site.

Promenade and Long-Distance Trail

A peaceful, scenic promenade runs along the Sainte-Thècle Canal. A different kind of trail experience is offered by the long-distance trail “Les Balcons de la Côte d’Azur”: the trail, designated GR 51, crosses the Plateau Tercier. When planning, you can therefore distinguish between a promenade by the canal and a long-distance trail across the plateau, without treating them as one combined route.

Water Engineering and Traditional Production

The Sainte-Thècle water system includes a 17-kilometer aqueduct; its main section was completed in Drap in March 1868. The aqueduct’s length and completion date place the water system within the history of local engineering. Drap also has an 18th-century Genoese-style olive mill.

Another seasonal feature is the Alambic de Drap, which operates for about one week each November. This short period sets the annual activity apart from the permanent historic structures. If you want to plan your trip around a particular edition or period, check the relevant dates in advance.

Cultural Activities and Event Dates

At the Centre Culturel des Gras, the Médiathèque Jean Négro offers a range of loans, performances and workshops throughout the year. The cultural center also offers classes in music, drawing, dance and theater. Alongside the historic buildings, contemporary cultural activities are therefore among the things you can consider when planning a stay in Drap.

The Rallye National de Drap is also held every year. Dates and schedules vary from one edition to the next. If you want to plan your trip around the event, check the dates of the relevant edition in advance.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Martin-Vésubie, Mouans-Sartoux, Sospel, La Roquette-Sur-Var, Valderoure, Saint-Sauveur-Sur-Tinée, Chateauneuf-Villevieille, Cagnes-Sur-Mer.

For the regional travel overview: Alpes-Maritimes.