Alpes-Maritimes stretches from the beaches of the Mediterranean to the peaks of Mercantour. Around 40,000 engravings are spread across 4,000 rocks in two valleys at Mont Bégo. This scale makes the rock art a discovery that is not limited to a single rock carving. For visitors, the archaeological theme here combines with several footpaths through the area.
Rock art, trails and protected areas
The archaeological area of the Mont Bégo rock engravings is in the commune of Tende and can be reached via several footpaths. It has been classified as a historic monument since 1989. The Musée des Merveilles is dedicated to the Vallée des Merveilles and the Fontanalba rock art area.
Two specific journey times can help with planning: the route from Lac des Mesches to Refuge des Merveilles is estimated to take three hours. For visits to Fontanalba, the route from Castérino to Lacs Jumeaux is estimated to take two hours and 15 minutes. Based on these estimates, the route to Lacs Jumeaux is 45 minutes shorter than the one to Refuge des Merveilles. This lets you match each destination to the time you have available.
At an altitude of 1,550 metres, Castérino is a starting point for many hikes in Parc national du Mercantour; in winter, it is a cross-country skiing area. The core area of Parc du Mercantour covers 679 km². For a longer hiking option, there is the Rabuons–Vens loop via Mont Ténibre: this hike takes two days.
Special rules apply to protect the engravings: the Merveilles and Fontanalba rock engraving area is within the national park and is listed as a historic monument. In the Vallée des Merveilles, visitors must stay on the marked trails.
Products between sea and mountains
The Routes des saveurs suggest tourist routes showcasing products from the south between the sea and the mountains. They highlight lemons, honey, beer, wine, cheese and olives as products of Alpes-Maritimes. Olive de Nice has been protected by an AOP designation since 2001. In Tourrettes-sur-Loup, artisans make syrups, jams and candied flowers from violets and roses.
More ways to explore the Côte d’Azur
In the wider Côte d’Azur area, La Méditerranée à vélo forms part of the EuroVelo 8 network and follows the French Mediterranean coast through Nice. The wider coastal area offers water sports such as snorkelling, diving, paddling and sailing, as well as boat trips and sea fishing. In the wider mountain area, activities include alpine and Nordic skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and ziplining. The Route des Forts also features 34 sites across a geographical span from the Mediterranean coasts to the Alpine valleys of Piedmont.
Discover more destinations:
Isola, La Bollène-Vésubie, Saorge, Aiglun, Antibes, Aspremont, Beausoleil, Bendejun, Biot, Cabris, Cagnes-Sur-Mer, Cannes, Cap-D'ail, Carros, Châteauneuf-Grasse, Coaraze, Contes, Gattiéres, Grasse, La Colle-Sur-Loup, La Gaude, Le Bar-Sur-Loup, Le Cannet, Le Rouret, Le Tignet, Mandelieu-La-Napoule, Menton, Mouans-Sartoux, Mougins, Nice, Opio, Peymeinade, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, Saint-Antonin, Saint-Cezaire-Sur-Siagne, Saint-Jeannet, Saint-Laurent-Du-Var, Saint-Martin-Du-Var, Saint-Vallier-De-Thiey, Sainte-Agnès, Sospel, Spéracèdes, Théoule-Sur-Mer, Tourette-Sur-Loup, Utelle, Valbonne, Vallauris, Vence, Villefranche-Sur-Mer, Villeneuve-Loubet, Castellar, Berre-Les-Alpes, Cantaron, Chateauneuf-Villevieille, Castagniers, La Roquette-Sur-Var, Marie, Bairols, La Roquette-Sur-Siagne, Saint-Etienne-De-Tinée, Colomars, Cimiez, Drap, Le Cros-D'utelle, Levens, Roquefort Les Pins, Beaulieu-Sur-Mer, Belvedere, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Auron, Pégomas, La Turbie, Èze, La Trinité, Tourrette-Levens, Clans, Saint-André-De-La-Roche, Saint-Auban, Roubion, Saint-Blaise, La Tour, Moulinet, Pierrefeu, L'escarène, Briançonnet, Puget-Théniers, Roure, Peillon, Bézaudun-Les-Alpes, Roquebillière, Tende, Puget-Rostang, Sallagriffon, Séranon, Magagnosc, Saint-Dalmas-Le-Selvage, Andon, Coursegoules, Saint-Martin-Vésubie, Guillaumes, Péone, Saint-Sauveur-Sur-Tinée, Breil-Sur-Roya, Valdeblore, Fontan, Entraunes, Valderoure, Saint-Martin-Dʼentraunes, Lucéram, Courmes, Rimplas, Revest-Les-Roches, Caussols, Gréolières, Beuil, Gorbio, Touët-Sur-Var, Le Mas, La Brigue, Châteauneuf-D'entraunes, Gilette, Castillon, Roquesteron, Saint-Paul-De-Vence, Sauze, Caille, Cipières, Le Broc, Bouyon, Peille, Lantosque, Tournefort, Malaussène, Les Ferres, Rigaud, Cuébris, La Penne, Massoins
For the main travel overview: Provence-Alpes-Côte D'azur.
