Belvedere has two distinctive sides: the Gordolasque represents alpine scenery and hiking, while churches, chapels and recurring festivals offer a glimpse into religious heritage and local customs. Focus your interests on the valley, the history of its religious buildings or local traditions—or choose individual themes from each area for your stay.

Hiking and Alpine Scenery

The Gordolasque Valley lies twelve kilometres upstream from Belvédère. The Gordolasque is a tributary of the Vésubie, lies within the Mercantour National Park and forms an alpine valley. Trout fishing is possible in the mountain stream. This makes both the scenery and a specific waterside activity central to the Gordolasque.

From Nice, reach the Gordolasque trailheads by driving up the Vésubie Valley, passing Belvédère and following the Gordolasque road to its end. Check local road conditions before planning your journey.

The Vallée des Merveilles can be reached from the Gordolasque only on foot. More than 36,000 rock carvings dating from the Copper and Bronze Ages have been discovered in the valley; the Vallée des Merveilles and Fontanalbe complex is classified as a historic monument. If you are interested in the carvings, take the need to reach them on foot into account when planning.

Another focus is the forgotten chapel trail in Belvédère. This hiking trail explores rural chapels, as well as religious heritage and local history. The themes are distinct: the Gordolasque combines alpine scenery with access to the Vallée des Merveilles, while the chapel trail is devoted to religious and local heritage.

Churches, Chapels and Cultural Heritage

The parish church of Saint-Pierre and Saint-Paul dates from the 17th century. Its square bell tower is made of tuff stone. The Chapelle Saint-Antoine on Rue Saint-Antoine is older: it dates from the late 15th century and houses an altar, paintings and murals. These two buildings offer different insights into Belvédère’s religious architecture.

The protective Coulagno ritual is still practised at the Chapelle Saint-Blaise, which also offers views over the Vésubie Valley. Above Belvédère, the Chapelle du Planet stands on the GR52A; it is dedicated to Regina Coeli Fenestra. In the context of the Gordolasque, the Chapelle Saint-Grat is associated with farmers’ protective customs against bad weather and crop pests.

Musée du Lait and Local Traditions

The Musée du Lait has been housed in the former dairy cooperative since 1911. It displays historic butter- and cheese-making equipment, as well as old tools used in the shepherds’ way of life, and conveys traditional knowledge of butter and cheese production. Visits can be arranged by prior appointment through the information office of the Office de Tourisme Métropolitain Nice Côte d’Azur.

The festivals, too, give these customs a tangible setting. The Polente Festival takes place on the day after Mardi Gras. Place des Tilleuls has seven square stone surfaces and one large surface, which is still used to cook the sauce and polenta over a fire. The annual Saint-Blaise festival is celebrated at the chapel of the same name on 3 February; it includes a mass and a cabbage farandole led by the couples who were married most recently during the previous year.

The “Le retour des bergers” festival takes place on Saint Michael’s Day: the flocks descend from their summer pastures into the village, and the whole community celebrates the shepherds. If you would like to plan your stay around one of these festivals, check the specific event dates.

More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Guillaumes, Cimiez, Revest-Les-Roches, Le Cannet, Saint-Cezaire-Sur-Siagne, Breil-Sur-Roya, Roure, Roubion.

For the broader travel guide: Alpes-Maritimes.