Introduction to Roquebrune and Cap-Martin

953km (592 miles) S of Paris; 5km (3 miles) W of Menton

Roquebrune, along the Grande Corniche, is a charming mountain village with vaulted streets. It has been restored, though some critics have found the restoration "artificial." Today its rue Moncollet is lined with artists' workshops and boutiques with inflatedly priced merchandise.

Two kilometers (1 1/2 miles) west of Roquebrune, Cap-Martin is a satellite of the larger resort, associated with the rich and famous since Empress Eugénie wintered here in the 19th century. In time the resort was honored by the presence of Sir Winston Churchill, who came here often in his final years. Two famous men died here -- William Butler Yeats in 1939 and Le Corbusier, who drowned while swimming off the cape in 1965. Don't look for a wide sandy beach -- you'll encounter plenty of rocks against a backdrop of pine and olive trees.