Sainte-Agnès (Alpes-Maritimes)

Sainte-Agnes
region	Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur
Department	Alpes-Maritimes
Arrondissement	Nice
Canton	Menton
Community association	Riviera Française
Coordinates	43 ° 48 ' N , 7 ° 28' E Coordinates: 43 ° 48 ' N , 7 ° 28' E
height	76-1,238 m
surface	9.37 km 2
Residents	1,328 (January 1, 2017)
Population density	142 inhabitants / km 2
Post Code	06500
INSEE code	06113
Website	www.sainteagnes.fr
	; View of Sainte-Agnès

Sainte-Agnès is a French commune with 1,328 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2017) in the Alpes-Maritimes department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region . The inhabitants are called Agnésois , in earlier times Gaïnés .

Sainte-Agnès describes itself as the Village du littoral le plus haut d'Europe, ie “the highest coastal village in Europe”. The Les Plus Beaux Villages de France association has declared the place one of the most beautiful villages in France .

geography

View of Sainte-Agnès from the direction of Gorbio

The municipality towers above the city of Menton and consists of three geographically clearly separated parts: the village center from the 11th century, the districts in the valley, including les Castagnins , le Pescaïre and le Figourne , and the district of les Cabrolles , which borders Menton.

history

According to legend, an Italian princess by the name of Agnès was surprised by a terrible storm while hiking, but eventually found shelter in a grotto in the village.

The strategically well-located fortress in the border area from the 12th century was coveted and opposed in the past by many royal houses, including the Ventimiglia ( Liguria ), Hauteville , Candia ( Piedmont ) families , the Counts from Provence , the House of Savoy and finally the Grimaldis . The village later belonged to the Kingdom of Sardinia-Piedmont and fell back to France in 1860 when this kingdom was dissolved in united Italy .

A modern fortress was built in 1932. It was the southernmost point of the Maginot Line and was intended to prevent enemy troops from invading Italy. From a viewing platform near the fortress and also from the castle you have a great view of the Mediterranean Sea with Menton and Cap Martin .