The upper Bévéra Valley runs through Moulinet from north to south. The commune lies within Mercantour National Park and is mountainous; at its centre is a broad basin carved by tributary streams. The commune covers 4,107 hectares. The course of the valley and the basin give the area two distinct landscape features.
Hiking on marked trails
A range of marked hiking trails of varying difficulty start from Moulinet, including PDIPR and Grandes Randonnées (GR) routes. Check local trail conditions before setting out. One specific route is the Sentier des aromates: it starts at Moulinet’s football pitch, follows the Saint-Louis track to the Peïra-Cava bridge, passes close to Chapelle Saint-Michel and offers views of the Authion mountain ranges. You can therefore choose according to different points of reference: the difficulty level within the wider selection, or the clearly defined route of this trail.
Chapels and religious tradition
Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Menour dates back to the 11th century and is reached by a monumental staircase. It remains a pilgrimage site for the residents of Moulinet. Mass is celebrated there three times a year: on Easter Monday, Whit Monday and 8 September. Alongside its great age, these dates give the chapel a living religious role throughout the year. The interior is closed to visitors, but can be opened on request through Moulinet’s municipal administration.
The dating of Chapelle Saint-Michel is less certain: it is estimated to have been built between the late 11th and 13th centuries. It is located on a circular hiking route near Moulinet. The chapels thus offer different perspectives: an estimated construction period for Saint-Michel and a continuing pilgrimage tradition at Notre-Dame de la Menour.
Construction history at Camp de Cabanes Vieilles
Camp de Cabanes Vieilles offers a glimpse into another chapter of local history. Construction began in 1889, followed by extensions in 1905 and 1912. The remains of 15 masonry buildings are visible at the camp, making it possible to understand the site through both its construction phases and its surviving structures. In summer, the camp can be visited free of charge in good weather.
A culinary speciality
Boussotou is a large ravioli filled with white pumpkin from Moulinet. The dish combines a distinctive shape with an ingredient specifically associated with the area. For travellers taking local cuisine into account alongside trails and culture when choosing a destination, it is a specific culinary highlight.
When planning your visit, note the different conditions at the camp and Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Menour: the camp can be visited free of charge in good weather during summer; the chapel’s interior is closed to visitors and can be opened on request. Keep these different conditions in mind if you plan to visit both places.
Discover more destinations: Mouans-Sartoux, Saint-Etienne-De-Tinée, La Gaude, Saint-André-De-La-Roche, Lucéram, Saint-Blaise, Auron, Valdeblore
For the wider travel overview: Alpes-Maritimes.
