The Customs Trail from Roquebrune Cap Martin to Monte Carlo

Our sea-view trek starts from Roquebrune Cap Martin, a beautiful resort town dominated by the ancient medieval village perched on the hillside. From the waterfront, we take the

Customs Trail, now renamed “Promenade Le Corbusier” in honor of the famous Swiss architect who lived here for a long time and lost his life swimming off the headland.

The trail originated during the French Revolution, in 1791, to help customs officers flush out smugglers who often used ravines and stretches of coastline to hide. Today it has become a fascinating seashore trekking route that runs the circumference of Cap Martin to the Principality of Monaco. It is a perfect route to hike in the spring, the ideal season to savor the variety and scents of flowers, or in the fall and winter to be pampered by the Côte d'Azur sunshine and to admire the shades of colors in the landscape that vary from the blue of the sea to the white of the snow-capped Alps.

After about 9 kilometers of walking, you reach the Principality of Monaco, the second smallest state in the world after Vatican City. This tiny handkerchief of land within the French Riviera exudes opulence: high-tech skyscrapers, ports crowded with yachts populated by celebrities, exclusive casinos and clubs serving sophisticated cocktails. But despite its wealth, it hides still authentic corners where the Grimaldi family has ruled since 1297, helping to promote its beauty and culture.