Peillon, Commune in the canton of L'Escarène, Alpes-Maritimes, France
Peillon is a commune in the canton of L'Escarène, in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France, perched on a rocky spur at around 1,230 feet (376 meters) above sea level. The old village is made up of tall stone houses clustered tightly together, linked by narrow lanes, vaulted passageways, and stone stairways that connect its different levels.
Peillon was built in the Middle Ages as a defensive settlement on its rocky outcrop, and passed under Savoyard rule in 1388. After a brief period under Sardinian rule, the village became definitively part of France in 1860.
The Chapel of the White Penitents houses frescoes by Jean Canavesio depicting scenes from the Passion of Christ. These late 15th-century paintings are among the most notable examples of religious art in the Alpes-Maritimes.
The village can only be explored on foot, as vehicles cannot enter the narrow lanes. Sturdy footwear is a good idea since many paths are made of uneven stone and steep stairways.
The church of Saint-Sauveur was built in the 16th century on the foundations of an old tower that once served as the village's main defensive structure. Inside, a painting from 1643 depicting the Transfiguration of Christ is one of the oldest artworks still on display in the village.
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