A group of old houses continues to shape Clans’s medieval character today. There are also churches and chapels, paths leading to the forest, a natural swimming lake and a seasonal market. These offer different ways to plan a trip: you can get to know the village through its architectural history, focus on trails and swimming, or plan your stay around a Saturday market.
Old Houses and Architectural History
The Église Notre-Dame-de-la-Nativité is classified as a historic monument and was built starting in 1680. Its façade is designed in the Neoclassical style. The construction date, protected status and façade design draw attention to different features of the building. Together with the group of old houses, they offer a tangible way to explore the village’s history: its medieval character can be appreciated as a whole and through individual buildings.
The chapels also each have their own character. The Chapelle Saint-Jean is entirely decorated with works by the artist Moya; the Chapelle Saint-Antoine is classified as a historic building. A 16th-century grain mill broadens the picture beyond religious buildings to include another type of structure. Clans thus brings together different aspects of its architectural heritage: a Neoclassical façade, a chapel entirely decorated with artworks, a classified building and a mill dating to the 16th century.
Trails, Forest and Swimming Lake
Clans’s hiking trails can be explored on foot or by electric bike and lead to one of the department’s most beautiful forests. Another option is the natural swimming lake, unique in the valley; its seasonal opening may vary. The two options differ when planning: the trails lead to the forest, while swimming in the lake depends on its seasonal operation.
The Traversée du Valdeblore by Mountain Bike
The Traversée du Valdeblore is another route option alongside the hiking trails. This mountain-bike route runs from La Colmiane at an altitude of 1,500 metres to Pont de Clans at 300 metres. Its full route passes through eight villages, including Clans. The activity, endpoints and elevation figures give the route a different character from the trails leading to the forest. Closures and conditions may change, so check the latest information before setting out.
Getting There and Market Day
The distance from Nice Airport to Pont de Clans is 68 kilometres. The route follows the RM 6202 through the Var Valley and then the RM 2205 through the Tinée Valley.
The market for local producers and craftspeople takes place on the first Saturday of each month from April to December. If you would like to include the market in your stay, plan your trip around the relevant Saturday and check the date in advance. Unlike the village’s historic character, the market is tied to a particular day of the week and a limited season.
Plan Your Stay
When looking for hotels in Clans, you can start by choosing your focus: are you interested in the architecture, the hiking trails, the mountain-bike route or market day? For a nature-focused stay, there are several options; bear in mind that the swimming lake operates seasonally. If you want to plan your trip around the market, the relevant date is the first Saturday of a month from April to December.
Discover more destinations: Bouyon, Lucéram, Peille, Andon, Gréolières, Saint-Vallier-De-Thiey, Vallauris, Breil-Sur-Roya.
Return to the regional travel overview: Alpes-Maritimes.
