Peille, Peillon and La Turbie

Trip Start May 14, 2008
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Trip End May 28, 2008


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Flag of France  ,
Monday, May 19, 2008

Driving the winding roads with hairpin turns took us higher and higher into these amazing medieval villages.  Lynnae got the willies in her stomach as we navigated the narrow, cliffside passageways (roads) wondering all the time how anyone ever decided to create a village so far up the mountains when they only had oxen or donkeys to move their goods, let alone have to defend their stance from invading marauders.  We were so glad to visit them in May when most tourists are still planning their trips for later in the year; we shared our viewing with less than 10 other visitors so were able to get a sense of how people currently live within these ancient walls. 

Peille dates as far back as the 11th century; Peillon's Chapelle contains 15th-century frescoes; La Turbie's highest point holds the ruins of a Roman monument built between 13 and 5 BC.   In each of the villages we roamed the narrow cobbled and brick walkways and climbed many stairs passing closed front doors, some of which were updated with brass fixings and modern wood.  Walking under many stone archways we kept looking for churches or patios where people would gather around a (still working) fountain.  There were many pots of blooming flowers and beautiful plants, some creeping onto trellises or up the stone walls.  We ate our picnic lunch on a stone (what else) patio in Peille admiring the mix of very ancient, ancient and modern fixes to the structures surrounding us.  In the center of the patio was a fountain which added to our sense of sharing this space with many souls who have passed this way before us.  Our sense of gravity kept us from losing our way back to our car (it was either up or down from each village entrance).

We enjoyed another afternoon bistro visit for a cappucino and did some grocery shopping in La Turbie where the woman assisting us did not speak a word of English...we smiled and waved our hands alot.

As we drove from village to village the views were spectacular, both approaching and leaving....absolutely awesome!. Narrow "streets"
Narrow "streets"
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