ラ・トゥールのおすすめウォーキング＆ハイキングルート

It's really a pass that I recommend to all nature lovers. The view at the top is truly breathtaking.

The Brec d'Utelle is a summit culminating at 1,604 meters. On a clear day, it offers an unforgettable panorama of the Mercantour, the Côte d'Azur and the surrounding valleys (Var, Tinée, Vésubie). Note that "brec", a name of Gallic origin, means "point of rock", "peak", or "steep place".

On the heights of the Vésubie gorges, the Saint-Antoine chapel rises to 660 meters. Its bucolic setting invites you to take a break. In case of strong heat, do not hesitate to enter to enjoy its freshness.

Located at the confluence of the Var and the Vésubie, the commune of Utelle includes several hamlets including Saint-Jean-la-Rivière where the town hall is located. Perched at an altitude of 800 meters, Utelle has an orientation table which offers great information on the neighboring Mercantour valleys. Also, an inn and a lodge are available to hikers in the region.

La Madone d'Utelle is a sanctuary and place of pilgrimage which is used all year round as a place of worship, although it is at an altitude of 1,194 meters and offers stunning views of the Mercantour National Park and the Mediterranean Sea.

Walking further up the ridge to the Sanctuary of Madone d'Utelle you will be rewarded with magnificent views and well worth the extra hike before descending back to your end point.

Fantastic all-round view

This has long been a place of pilgrimage and healing, but one that for cyclists has remained a well-kept secret – beloved of local riders… until recently. In March 2016, the penultimate stage of Paris-Nice finished on the summit, bringing the views from this holy site to a wider audience. Madone d'Utelle is part of our Montagnes à la Carte series, head over to https://bit.ly/3ziK156 and claim your badge if you rode this classic.