Explore Gorbio through its distinctive traces of history and culture: medieval chapels and a Château-Musée stand alongside a church with Baroque interiors, a museum dedicated to life in the village in the past, and traditional crafts. When planning your visit, it is worth keeping seasonal offerings and appointment requirements in mind, as well as the winding access roads.
Chapels, route history and procession
The Chapelle Saint-Lazare is a medieval building dating from the 12th century. It was built at the start of today’s GR52, which connected Gorbio, Sainte-Agnès and Sospel from La Turbie. A procession to the chapel is organized every July and is one of the village’s religious traditions. If you would like to include this event in your travel plans, check the exact date in advance.
Church and Château-Musée
The Eglise Saint Barthélemy was built in 1683. Its interior architecture and decoration are examples of 17th-century rural Ligurian Baroque. Its furnishings include polychrome wooden sculptures and paintings from the same period, attributed to Vento, Puppo and Ferrari. The construction date, style and artworks each offer a different point of reference for placing the church within the local cultural heritage.
The Château-Musée Lascaris also dates from the 12th century; it is the oldest building in the local cultural heritage. From July to November, it presents a permanent exhibition of paintings and objets d’art from the Raza-Mongillat collection, along with temporary exhibitions. A visit thus brings together two distinct timeframes: the procession organized every July and an exhibition program that runs over several months. The exhibition program may change; check what is currently on offer before your trip.
Village life, language and crafts
The Musée « D’A Font » offers an insight into village life in the past through cultural and religious customs and traditions, tools, agricultural equipment, household utensils, clothing and everyday objects. It also documents Gorbarin music and songs, the dialect and a collection of Gorbio postcards. The exhibits range from objects of everyday life to local cultural forms of expression. If this subject interests you, check visiting arrangements before you arrive.
Another way to discover local crafts is through Clément Crochez. The hatmaker handcrafts unique, bespoke, fully customizable hats in his Gorbio workshop using traditional techniques. Visitors can try on the hats there; workshop visits are by appointment only. Plan your visit in advance rather than expecting to drop in.
Au Moulin de Gorbio produces extra virgin olive oil, salted olives, olive paste and Citrolive, an olive oil flavored with lemons. Product availability and visiting arrangements may change. Check both in advance if you are planning a visit or are looking for specific products.
Tree and access
The Orme de Gorbio is another of the village’s remarkable features: the A.R.B.R.E.S. organization counts it among France’s 100 remarkable trees.
Gorbio can be reached from Roquebrune via the D.50 and from Menton via the D.23. Both roads are very winding and narrow in places. Free parking is available above the village. As road conditions and parking arrangements may change, check them before setting out.
Discover more destinations: Clans, Cuébris, Le Cannet, Caussols, Coursegoules, Chateauneuf-Villevieille, Roquesteron, Drap.
For the broader travel overview: Alpes-Maritimes.
