Welcome to Peille, an enchanting hidden gem of Cote d’Azur that seems to be missing from many travel blogs and guides. It’s a delightful remote medieval village tucked in the mountains that can be your quiet getaway from bustling tourist spots on the coast. Chances are high that Peille will enchant you from the first steps! Sounds good? Keep reading and discover things to do in Peille village in France near Nice.
We discovered Peille only by chance during our second time in the region, while looking for new interesting and not-so-obvious places. And we’re very glad that we did find it as it would be a shame to miss it!
Travel tip: you can easily visit Peille and nearby Peillon during the same-day trip.
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Peille, France FAQ
Peille is located inland in the Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur region in Alpes-Maritimes department in Southeastern France. It sits on a hill at an altitude of 630m a.s.l. Peille is just a short drive from popular nearby places like Nice, Monaco, Eze, or Menton.
Sure thing! Peille is a captivating village where you can step back in time for a few hours and feel like in medieval times. It’s pretty, charming, peaceful, well-preserved, and yet undiscovered by many. It offers unforgettable views over the surrounding valley and the coast! Even though you won’t find dozens of thrilling things to do in Peille, you shouldn’t skip it while in the area. In our opinion, it’s one of the best places to visit near Nice.
Things to do in Peille, France
Peille village streets
There is no better way to discover all the secrets of Peille village than to slowly wander among its streets. Quaint stone houses, winding narrow streets, vaulted passageways, cozy squares, historic buildings, friendly cats eager to be pet, and great views over the surroundings await you.
What’s more, Peille is almost untouched by tourism and mostly pedestrianized which makes it even more pleasant to explore. There you also won’t find many restaurants or shops. Just let yourself be carried away by the beauty of the place and sooner or later you’ll discover every inch.
Peille’s points of interest
Among Peille village streets you’ll find points of interest like:
- Place du Mont Agel square with a beautiful 15th-century Gothic fountain. It was named a historical monument in 1942.
- Romanesque Chapel of Saint Sebastian which now houses Peille Town Hall.
- World War I Memorial is located at the highest point of the village. From there you can admire stunning views over the village and its surroundings, and also spot remains of the castle and old fortifications.
- Place Prince Albert Il de Monaco square – a lovely viewpoint below the World War I Memorial. From there you can also admire amazing views while sitting and relaxing on one of the benches.
- 17th-century Palais Lascaris built on the edge of the cliff, now houses the village’s media library (free visit is possible on request).
- The Church of Sainte Marie dating back to the 12th century and features 15th-century frescoes inside, medieval holy water fonts, and Baroque altars and paintings (free visit is possible on request).
- Higher and lower Jurisdiction Court which was frequented by lawyers from neighboring towns and where the judge could hand down death sentences. Gallows could be seen from the court windows.
Peille discovery tours
While exploring Peille you can also take advantage of the discovery circuits prepared by the local tourist office. You can for example follow a postcard circuit (great one!), water circuit, or oratories circuit. For more information visit the tourisme.peille.fr website.
Interesting fact. Peille village welcomes its visitors with a sign declaring itself as “le plus curieux village de Alpes-Maritimes” meaning the most curious.
Hiking & MTB cycling
If you’re an active person you’ll be glad to know that many hiking and cycling trails start in Peille. They all vary in time and difficulty, but all of them guarantee great landscapes and amazing opportunities to spend some time in a green setting, far away from the hustle and bustle of the French Riviera. To learn more about hiking and cycling the routes visit the tourisme.peille.fr website.
Viewpoints over Peille
For the best views over Peille follow road D53, in the La Turbie direction. Along it, you’ll find many spots from which you’ll get awesome views over the village, its charming medieval houses, and surrounding areas. In our opinion, it’s worth reaching as far as the first entrance via the small tunnel excavated in the rock. Don’t miss it as Peille village looks really stunning from afar!
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How to get to Peille, France?
Peille is located about 25km from Nice or Menton, 20km from Monaco or Villefranche-sur-Mer, 60km from Cannes, and only 12km from Peillon. The most convenient way to get to the village is by car.
Where to park in Peille?
You can either leave your car in a free parking lot located at the entrance to the village or in parking spaces along the access road. From there you have to explore Peille on foot.
To Peille by bus
From some places you can reach Peille by bus. For example, a trip from Nice will take about 50min (€3), 2h from Menton (€5), or 20min from La Turbie (€3). From each place look for the 603 or 604 bus. To learn more about bus connections that might interest you visit zou.maregionsud.fr or rome2rio.com website.
To Peille by train
The closest train station is located in La Grave de Peille, 7km downhill from the village. You can easily get there from many nearby places like Nice, Cannes, Menton, or Villefranche-sur-Mer. From the station, you can get to Peille on foot, by taxi or by bus. To learn more about bus or train connections that might interest you visit ter.sncf.com or rome2rio.com website.
To Peillon by taxi
The most expensive option but also available from almost every place you might be on Cote d’Azur. For example, a trip from Nice will take only about 25min (€60-75), 25min from Menton (€40-55) and 40min from Antibes (€110-150). To learn more about taxi connections that interest you visit rome2rio.com website.
Camping Peille
If you’re traveling by camper, places like Camping de La Laune or Camping La Ferme Riola might interest you. They are located near Peille
Things to do in Peille, France – Summing up
Hopefully, now you can see that Peille is a truly charming and picturesque village worth visiting. Winding narrow streets, history, and amazing views… All of these blend perfectly together and make Peille an ideal place to slow down for a bit. Also, thanks to a low concentration on tourism and lack of crowds you can experience more of a local vibe. We wish you an amazing time in this hidden gem of Cote d’Azur. Be sure to let us know how you liked it, we’re curious!
Our video from Peille
Our opinion about Peille
For us, a visit to Peille was a day trip, combined with a visit to Peillon, from nearby Cannes where we lived for a few weeks. We visited it in mid-July and we were two of just a handful of other people out there! As we wrote at the beginning, we discovered Peille by chance and we’re glad that we did! There might not be many things to do in the village but we spent a lovely few hours just wandering among its streets and discovering all its secrets.
Restaurants, accommodations, and map
Check out various recommended places below.
Where to eat in Peille?
Here are your best, high-rated options in Peille:
Where to sleep in Peille?
La Vela
Perched in the charming village of Peille, La Vela offers a delightful accommodation experience with its picturesque setting and cozy ambiance. The property provides a peaceful retreat with well-appointed rooms, capturing the essence of the surrounding French countryside. Guests can enjoy the serenity of Peille village while being within reach of the vibrant coastal attractions of the French Riviera.
L’expérience d’une maison de village médiéval
Nestled in the medieval village of Peille this accommodation promises an authentic experience in a charming historical setting. Close to Monaco and Nice, the property offers a unique blend of traditional charm and modern comfort. Guests can immerse themselves in the rich heritage of the village while enjoying the convenience of proximity to the glamorous attractions of the French Riviera.
Accommodations photos source: booking.com
