Carros, commune in Alpes-Maritimes, France
Carros is a small village perched on a rocky hill near Grasse in the Alpes-Maritimes, with an old core built on high ground and a modern section below. Stone houses with traditional roofs line narrow, winding streets that open onto small squares, while views from above extend across the valley toward the coast.
The village traces its roots to the Middle Ages, particularly through the 12th-century castle that still stands on the hill as a focal point of the settlement. It became part of France in 1860, shifting from its historical ties to the Duchy of Savoy that had influenced the region for centuries.
The village draws artists and craftspeople who work with ceramics, paintings, and other crafts in small studios open to visitors. This creative presence shows how the community has evolved to welcome people interested in traditional and contemporary artmaking.
The village is roughly 15 minutes by car from Nice airport and accessible by bus or car from nearby towns. Free parking is available at the village entrance, with clear signs and regular opening hours from morning until late afternoon making visits straightforward.
The settlement exists in two distinct parts: a historic hilltop core with narrow medieval streets and a modern area below, illustrating how traditional villages adapt to contemporary living. A hiking trail called the Balcons de Carros takes approximately two hours and offers views of forests and distant mountain ridges throughout the walk.
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