Cipières Provence-Beyond (Beyond the French Riviera) ® Alpes-Maritimes (06620) Population: 222 Altitude: 700 m Nearby: [ Andon | Bar-sur-Loup | Grasse] [ Plateau de Caussols | CERGA Observatory | Gorges de Loup ] Photos: 1 Cipières village, from the south (19 k) 2 Cipières village, from above (27 k) 3 The rotating fountain, decorated for harvest festival (27 k) 4 A closer view of the decorated rotating fountain (35 k) 5 The bell tower and campanile (21 k) 6 A "musical" broom at the local café (18 k) Below: [ History | Dates | Transportation | Hiking | Lodging ] This ancient village is perched on a rocky ridge high above the Loup river valley, with a view north and east across to the Montagne du Cheiron. The huge white block of a building towering above the houses at the northern edge is a restored 17th century chàteau. The pretty village is isolated from main roads; the only traffic is of people going intentionally to and from Cipières. In spite of the relative isolation, its an active village, with rock concerts in July, activities such as the harvest festival in the Autumn, and an active village life. The main village square has a circular 19th-century fountain, on which a rotating harvest scene was prepared for the Autumn festival (photo-3). There are some nice old houses and picturesque little streets. We found one street named "Roumpe Cuou", which could translate (politely) to Break Neck street. Reader J.M. pointed out that, since "cuou" is more likely to be the Provencal for "arse", the real translation (into American English) is probably Break Ass street. The restored 18th-century church is topped by a bell tower and a campanile dated 1750 (photo-5). Name First record, 11th century, name derived from Arius de Cippus History Prehistoric: Prehistoric sites were discovered at St-Pons, Baus, St-Jean and La Gradaire (all about 3 km northeast). Medieval: Cipières was ruled by the house of Grasse, then by the Agoults. The commune was acquired in 1520 by René de Savoi, Count of Tende. In 1646 it was sold to Bouthillier de Chavigny. Dates, Numbers Fête patronale de la St-Claude: 1st Sun June Fête des Moissons (Harvest): 1st Sun Aug Office de Tourisme - Tel: (33) 493 59 96 48; Fax: (33) 493 59 98 02 Transportation - Bus One bus a day for Cipières and Gourdon, leaves Grasse at 15h30, from Mon-Fri. Spelunking There are at least 15 avens in the area around Cipières, especially across the Plateau de Caussols just to the southwest. The aven des Baoudillons goes down 120 meters. Hiking Maps: IGN (1:25,000) 3642 ouest "Roquesteron" Didier Richard (1:50,000) #26 "Pays d'Azur" The GR4 (Grande Randonnée) passes directly through the village. To the north the GR4 goes by Gréloières, over the Montagne du Cheiron and through the forests and mountains to Entrevaux. To the south the GR4 crosses the Plateau de Calern and the CERGA observatory, the Plateau de Caussols, and joins the GR51 just north of Grasse. Other local hikes go down both sides of the Loup, and there are hikes out across the Plateau de Caussols. Lodging Listing available