Sainte-Agnès, Alpes-Maritimes

Sainte -Agnès is a French municipality with 1183 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the Alpes-Maritimes department in the Provence- Alpes- Côte d' Azur. The inhabitants are called Agnésois, in earlier times Gaines.

Sainte -Agnès describes itself as Village du littoral le plus haut d'Europe so as " highest-lying coastal village in Europe ". From the association Les Plus Beaux Villages de France, the village was declared one of the most beautiful villages in France.

Geography

The church dominates the town of Menton and consists of three geographically clearly separated parts: the village from the 11th century, the districts in the valley, including les Castagnins, le Pescaïre and le Figo urn, as well as the District les Cabrolles adjacent to Menton.

History

According to legend, an Italian princess named Agnès during a hike of a terrible storm was surprised, but finally found in a cave in the village shelter.

The strategically located fortress on the border of the 12th century has been sought after and fought, among other things, by the families Ventimiglia (Liguria ), Hauteville, Candia (Piedmont), the Count of Provence, the House of Savoy in the past by many royal houses and, finally, the Grimaldis. Later, the village belonged to the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia and fell when this kingdom in the united Italy rose, 1860 back to France.

A modern fortress was built in 1932. It was the southernmost point of the Maginot Line and should prevent an invasion of enemy troops from Italy. From a viewing platform near the fortress and, incidentally, of the castle has a great view of the Mediterranean with Menton and Cap Martin.

Gallery

Streets Scenery

Fort on the Maginot Line