Gourdon (Alpes-Maritimes)

Gourdon is a municipality with 413 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2011) in the southern French region of Provence- Alpes -Cote d' Azur in the Alpes - Maritimes ( 06). It is classified as one of the plus beaux villages de France ( most beautiful villages in France ).

Geography

In the hinterland of Nice, Gourdon perched at an altitude of 760 m asl grafted on a rock and overlooking the valley of the Loup. Due to its extraordinary location, the village received with its 294 inhabitants ( 1997) also the nickname Nid d' Aigle ( "Eagle's Nest ").

From Gourdon, you have a very nice view over the Mediterranean coast of Nice, Antibes, Cap d' Antibes, Cannes and the Lerins Islands to the Massif de l' Esterel.

Attractions

• The place is largely preserved in its original condition and are due to its strategic location, a good example of a military-like village of feudal times from.

• The Château de Gourdon castle from the 13th century, was rebuilt in the 17th century and expanded. Since 1950 it has been open to the public and classified as a historic monument since 1971. The castle was bought in 1972 by entrepreneur Laurent Negro, but continued to the public. Today it houses a museum of Art Deco, antique weapons and paintings from the 16th and 17th centuries. The castle is also a terraced park, which was designed by André Le Nôtre. The castle, the garden and the exhibits are owned by the same son of Laurent Negro, who has erworden as an art collector reputation.