La Brigue

La Brigue (, , ) is a commune in the Alpes-Maritimes department in southeastern France.

La Brigue became part of France after World War II, when Italy was forced to hand it over in September 1947 under the terms of the Peace of Paris. Before the hand over, it was part of the Province of Cuneo and was officially known as Briga Marittima. The transfer, which was not unopposed in the village, was retrospectively endorsed by a local plebiscite which took place on 12 October 1947 and was subject to international supervision.

History

Sights
Looking across the village to the northwest, high rocky cliffs tower over La Brigue.Many of the buildings are of natural stone and many are nicely renovated with pastel facades and green lauze doorways and steps. The Shrine of Our Lady of the Fountains is the home to a huge 15th-century painting (cycle of passion) by the painter Giovanni Piemontese Canavesio, and is a major tourist destination.

Tourism 
The village is situated along the long-distance hiking trail GR52A. Another attraction for mountain sports enthusiasts is a nearby via ferrata of medium difficulty (C/D) which ascends about 250 metres above the village.

Population

Twin towns — sister cities
La Brigue is twinned with:

  Triora, Italy (2006)

See also
Communes of the Alpes-Maritimes department

References
INSEE

Category:Communes of Alpes-Maritimes
Category:France–Italy border crossings
Category:Alpes-Maritimes communes articles needing translation from French Wikipedia