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Coaraze is perched on a high rocky peak topping forests and olive groves. The village has ancient stone houses, narrow cobblestone streets and many vaulted passages.
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Also: |
Most Beautiful Villages |
Nearby: |
Chateauneuf-de-Contes 15 km |
Contes 10 km |
Escarène 21 km |
Gourdon 67 km |
Levens 30 km |
Lucéram 19 km |
Nice 22 km |
Sainte Agnes 39 km |
Hotels near Coaraze: |
22 km Nice |
67 km Gourdon |
From the lower square, with parking, the boulanger and the Café des Arts, the old cobblestone streets go up past the Office de Tourisme and through the old village, with small squares at different levels. At the top, the church stands at the upper end of the picturesque Place Felix Giordan, with terraced cobblestone steps and a small fountain with its bubbling sound amplified by its stone niche.
Even more at the top, steps from the corner of the church lead up to a large square shaded by Acacias, cypress and a plane tree. The view from here is of deep valleys and high forested hills to the north and south of the village. In the spring and summer, the surrounding forests are painted yellow with the sweet-smelling spanish broom.
The old village also has a whole maze of narrow tunnel-streets that are a lot of fun exploring. Over half the streets in this labyrinth are covered, jutting out at abrupt angles, with the occasional shaft of light shining in.
Sundials
 There are a number of exceptional sundials (cadrans solaires) in the village - mostly modern but interesting designs by some famous artists. This one in the photo is on the wall of the Gites. Others are on the front of the Mairie and in the Place Felix Giordan.
Commerce
The village's only grocery store has shut down, so there's only the boulanger (baker) left. Hopefully, a new grocery store will be opening before too long. [Or, will have opened by now, 2007.]
Playground
The playground is in the lower village, on the road behind the lower square. It has a large wooden jungle-gym, slide and merry-go-round.
History
According to the legend, Coaraze owes its name to the Devil, who was caught in a trap here and had his tail cut off.
Medieval:
In the 13th century, Coaraze was a fief of Chateauneuf and then Chabaud. In 1325 it was acquired by Robert-le-Sage, and in 1331 given as a feudal land to Marquesan.
Office de Tourisme
Tel : 04 93 79 37 47; Fax: 0493 79 31 73
Web: www.ot-coaraze.com
Good information, postcards, local products, tee-shirts and posters
Mairie
Tel: 0493 79 34 80
Dates
This is a village of fêtes, so no matter when you come, there'll probably be some activity. The Medieval Festival (photo) provides two days of period festivities in August.
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- Fête Brocante: 1 May
- Fête communale and patronale: 21-22 June, 14 July
- Fête occitane: beginning July, beginning Aug
- Journées Médiévales: last weekend Aug (23-24 Aug 1997)
- Fête de la Ste-Catherine: 1st Sun Sept
- Winter Solstice Fireworks: 8 Sept
Transportation Coaraze
Only about 20 km from the center of Nice, Coaraze isn't far away, but it isn't easily accessible. During the first 10 km, the road is fast and not very pretty, with grungy industry as far as Contes. From Contes to Coaraze, the road follows a deep, beautiful river valley, twisting and turning, and quite narrow.
Hiking
Maps:
IGN (1/25,000) #3742 ouest "Contes, Gorges de la Vésubie"
Didier Richard (1/50,000) #26 "Pay d'Azur"
Coaraze is located on a hilltop amidst forested mountains and deep river valleys, with great hiking trails all around.
 East from the village, a trail takes you 1 km to the Paillon de Contes river at Plan de Linéa. Here you'll find a number of good loop hikes, including around Les Viovieras (821 m), La Blachiera (826 m) or Mont Castello (813 m). To the east, you'll be descending from 620 m to 400 m immediately, with the corresponding uphill climb at your return. You can avoid this by driving a short distance to begin your hike at the river.
West from the village you can climb through the forest to L'Aboisa (1071, 1141 m), then hike north or south along the mountain ridge, with different possibilities for looping back to the village.
North out of the village lets you loop west to L'Aboisa, or you can go north about 3 km to the Col St-Michel and the Chapel St-Michel (1089 m).
Dining
Eating's no problem in Coaraze. In addition to the Café des Arts, three restaurants are available:
- Auberge du Soleil
- Tel: (33) 493 79 08 11
- Les 4 Bornes
- Tel: (33) 493 79 38 33
- Lightly exotic cuisine of the Ile de Maurice
- La Ferme Auberge
- Tel: (33) 493 79 32 03
Lodging - Hotels
Hotels in Towns Nearby to Coaraze
• 22 km — Nice hotels
• 67 km — Gourdon hotels
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Photo gallery of 4 photos for Coaraze