By Marie Sherlock
I’m devoting this entire post to the doors of just one tiny perched village in the far eastern part of Provence, almost on the Italian border. Coaraze, a quick half-hour drive from Nice, is (IMHO) one of the most underrated plus beaux villages of France. This enchanting hamlet is a maze of centuries-old cobblestone passageways, tunnels and alleys. Its ancient corridors – which are clearly NOT wide enough for vehicles – zigzag under and around buildings. Most are essentially underpasses, seemingly burrowed into the stone, and many are graced with picturesque vaulted arches. ALL of these delightful architectural amenities will have you pondering how the hell medieval workers designed and built them so many years ago.
And – praise be! – Coaraze has NOT been Disneyfied (like some of its other Provencal neighbors). Indeed, it appears to need some TLC to preserve its stunning serpentine passageways. (I think I may need to write an entire separate blog about this place at some point.)
For now, here are a few of the doors of Coaraze. May they entice you to want to see the rest of this very special place.
First, though, here’s a photo that gives you a feel for the magic of Coaraze.
