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Le Broc is a nice little village perched on a ridge in the back country hills inland of Nice and Grasse. A tall church bell tower rises from the midst of the medieval houses, with the snow-clad mountains as a picturesque backdrop
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Nearby: |
Bézaudun-les-Alpes 14 km |
Bonson 16 km |
Bouyon 8 km |
Carros 3.5 km |
Gattières 9 km |
Gilette 15 km |
Nice 21 km |
Plan-du-Var 11 km |
Saint Jeannet 13 km |
Vence 19 km |
Hotels near Le Broc: |
3.5 km Carros |
19 km Vence |
21 km Nice |
The center of the old village is grouped around a square with arcades. Some of the village's vaulted passages are low enough and long enough to pass as tunnels, if you're sharp-eyed enough to find them. The village has narrow little streets, nicely paved, and ancient houses of old stone and colorful Provencal pastels. There are enough winding streets to merit a wander-around, some dropping down the steep hillside to the lowest part of the village.
A smartly paved square, Place de l'Hotel de Ville, has the town hall on one side and the church opposite, with sundial and stained-glass window [Photo-10]. On this wall of the church is a plaque with a Roman inscription. The church is the early-16th-century Ste-Marie-Madeleine.
Cafés are an important part of Provencal villages. Le Broc has one café, Chez Marie-Lluce et Max, under the arcades in the center of the village [Photo-04].
On our most recent visit (December 2010) the main square was filled with a Christmas village, including pottery stands, hand-made children's furniture and toys, and some very good gourmet possibilites, such as plates of oysters or smoked salmon, with a side of wine.
History
Name
First record, 13th century Castrum de Broco. Etymology is from brec, meaning raised place — the castle and village of the Dos-Fraires were perched just to the north.
Medieval:
The current commune was formed in the 15th century, from the fusion of the Medieval communes of St-Pierre-d'Oliva and Dos-Fraires. The castle was captured in 1593 by a band of Routiers.
Communal Olive Oil Mill - Moulin communal Oleicole du Broc
Location:
Route de Nice - at the south edge of the village, beside the road to/from Carros.
Tel: 0493 082 831
This small communal olive-oil mill serves the olive growers of the area. Best to phone for an appointment before showing up with your olives. Not set up for visits.
Dining
On a December Saturday we found two restaurants open, the La Vaute (where we dined) and La Mangiuca(in the arcades by the main square). Another restaurant, L'Estragon is located on the main road, just above the old center.
Lodging - Hotels
Hotels in Towns Nearby to Le Broc
• 3.5 km — Carros hotels
• 19 km — Vence hotels
• 21 km — Nice hotels
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Photo gallery of 14 photos for Le Broc