"Sospel, prince of the mountains, king of salt" Sospel by Pavlik_NL

This place, about 20 kilometres land inwards from Menton, is a true oasis within the Alpine mountains that reach higher and higher towards eventual hights over 3.000 metres. Sospel is also a very old place, that has been the centre of the salt route as well as an important bisdom for the Roman Catholic church. Several monuments can be seen from these times, but none as clearly as the old bridge stretching over the Bevera river, connecting both parts of the town on either side of it.

Sospel in it's valley between the Alpes Maritimes

At first side, Sospel seems only to offer this wonderful bridge. The two town parts on the banks of the Bevera river look old and ready to fall apart (except for some more modern buildings). Nothing is more disceiving, while hidden secrets are waiting for you when you park the car and get into the narrow alleys that are in between the old monumental houses.

"Cols" (passes) in all directions over mountains

Sospel surroundings are equally beautiful as the town's secrets. However they are out there in the open: the mountains that surround the town since it's founding. In all directions one has to go over passes to reach the next town or village. Southwards over the "Col de Castillon" to Menton. Westwards over the "Col de Braus" in the direction of Peille and eventually Nice. East, to Italy one needs to go over the "Col de Brouise" and North to the gates of the Mercantour National Park, the Col de Turini offers magnificent views and dazzling roads.