A few words on Alpes-Maritimes Department

Geography

As far as topography is concerned, rivers flow southward, except in the south-west, and particularly for the river Var, which flows eastward on a section about thirty kilometers long in the North of the chain Vial Mountain - Gourdan. This last type of topography extends also southward towards Grasse, in a country of ridges and calcareous plateaus: Cime du Cheiron, Cime du Bausson, Plateau de Caussols. The route going from Nice to Bonette pass along the Var river first and then the Tinée river is a perfect example of the general topographic orientation: a long road rising northward practically all the way. As a consequence, the distinction between adret (south-facing slope) and ubac (north-facing slope) is much less obvious than in other alpine departments, with the exception for the above-mentioned section of the river Var, and some other minor rivers. Whatever north-south or east-west orientation, the mountain ridges are generally constituted by Jurassic limestones, whereas softer Cretaceous marls, absent from the crests, are present on hillsides. The coastal plain becomes narrower and the rivers shorter to the east, as Alpine summits get closer to the sea, up to the exceptional wind-sheltered area of Monaco - Menton. The alpine area in the North presents a mountain climate, with frequent heavy snowfalls in highlands. As the height decreases, the climate turns to dry, the Mediterranean character becoming more intense. The eastern part of the coast is characterized by high winter temperatures, because of protection by mountains. It can even be said that it presents a certain subtropical character (the average temperature of the coldest month exceeds 11° C). This is different in Nice, where night frosts can occur: the direction of the successive valleys Var and Tinée acts as a corridor for North wind. This is also different beyond the Italian border, where Vintimiglia is at the mouth of the river Roya which flows from the North. The high plant richness in Alpes-Maritimes Department can be explained by both high differences in temperature and sheltered valleys which were plant refuges during the last glacial periods. However, environment is far from the original condition, e.g. many alien species have been introduced, some having always been limited to cultivated fields, but others, such as the prickly pear, have become widespread. The western coastal plain was an unhealthy swamp for a long time (malaria was present). It has been drained, and since the second half of the XXth century, it is no more than a vast urban area. Agriculture activity continues in narrow valleys (small-scale vegetable production for personal use or market-stand), and also with terrace cultivation near Grasse. Grasse and its neighbourhood is famous for its floriculture and parfume industry. Flower growing for flavor (rose, jasmine) reached peak production in the years 1900-1930. Nowadays, a large part of the production is imported (from Bulgaria, Turkey, Morocco, etc.). In mountain and on thin soil of limestone plateaus, sheep-breeding prevails (58 thousand head).

 

History

The site "Vallée des Merveilles" is the most important in Alpes-Maritimes. In this place, we can see rupestral carvings dating from Bronze Age. On the other hand, and though it is just beyond the Italian border, the Balzi Rossi site (Balzi Rossi = red cliffs) deserves a special mention: many flint stones were discovered in Grimaldi's Caves, and these artifacts have been dated for a long period of time, as it extends over the whole Upper Paleolithic (35,000 - 10,000 B.P.). Rare Gravettian figurines (29,000 - 22,000 P.B.) were also found there. Phoceans founded trading posts and colonies on Gallic coasts in the VIth century B.C.: after Marseille, there were Cannes, Antibes and Nice. In this time, the country was populated by Ligures, who were divided in tribes living in the South of French and Italian Alps. Romans came early into conflict with these people. A great deal of time was taken by Rome to control Southern Alps, because access difficulties helped autochthons in their resistance. The Roman trophy in La Turbie, built to honor Octavian in the year 6 B.C., engraved in the stone the Legions victory against Alpine peoples. The small Roman province of Alpes Maritimæ was limited to the Southern Alps. From the Vth to the Xth century, the country underwent Barbarian invasions and, later, Saracen raids. Prosperity came back in the XIth century. The County of Provence was then included in the Holy Roman Empire. Nice territory fell into the hand of the House of Savoy in 1388, and the rest of the region passed to the crown of France in 1482. Between the end of the XVIIth and the beginning of the XVIIIth century, the County of Nice was the scene of the war between Louis XIV and the Duke of Savoy. The County of Nice and Savoy were connected to France under Napoleon III (Treaty of Turin, 1860). The current territory of Alpes-Maritimes is quite the same from that time, but the addition of the municipalities of Menton and Roquebrune-Cap-Martin ceded by Monaco. After the Second World War, the Treaty of Paris allowed the municipalities of Tende and La Brigue to join France after a referendum. Monaco is a parliamentary principality under protection of France, and it is practically inseparable from the history of Grimaldi family. This family has reigned on this territory since 1297, with a short suspension during the First French Republic and the First Empire, when France annexed Monaco. The principality joined the Council of Europe in 2004.

 

Hiking characteristics

The General Council of Alpes-Maritimes really endeavours to maintain tracks such as painting marks. It also publishes Randoxygène guides (in French) which are available for free in each Tourist Office. These guides are for walking and other activities: mountain bike, via ferrata and canyoning. General Council actions are much more than mere brush clearing, as they include: setting up direction panels, paving ways, building low retaining walls, etc. Because of the extend of urbanization, the sea path is limited (only 24 km). In Nice - Menton area, several footpaths wind in unbuilt zones as the steepness makes building impossible. Almost everywhere you will find steep slopes, and if you are a mountain biker, prepare yourself to find very technical single tracks. In alpine mountains, you can discover a protected nature, particularly in Mercantour National Park, which extends along the Italian border in the North of the department.

 

French Internet sites for outdoor activities

Tour Operator spécialized in hiking trekking in French Riviera: Destination Merveilles