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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

Place Saint-Michel is an emblematic square of Sospel, in the Alpes-Maritimes, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. It is distinguished by its funnel shape and its location on the right bank of the Bera. His name comes from Saint Michael's church, which is associated with him. The square is famous for its calade pavement, composed of grey and white pebbles arranged in rosette, dating from the late seventeenth and early eighteenth century.

The square is surrounded by several remarkable buildings, some of which are listed or listed as historical monuments. Among them are the chapel of the Immaculate Conception of the Grey Penitents, the chapel of the Red Penitents, as well as the Palace Ricci des Ferres, which welcomed Pope Pius VII in 1809. Several Gothic arcade houses, decorated with trompe l'oeil decorations, complete this architectural ensemble. Behind the chapels of the Penitents one can observe the remains of the city walls and the castle.

Place Saint-Michel also served as the setting for the film Un sachet de rouges by Jacques Doillon, adapted from Joseph Joffo's novel in 1975. It has been listed as historic monuments since 18 March 1947, recognizing its heritage importance. The facades and roofs of the buildings, as well as the ground of the square, are protected by this decree.

The period of construction of the square extends from the 13th to the 17th century, reflecting the different architectural and historical influences that marked Sospel. The square is a place of memory and a testimony of local history, mixing medieval, religious and architectural heritage.

The location of the square is specified in the Mérimée base under the address Place Saint-Michel 06380 Sospel, in the Alpes-Maritimes department. Its Insee code is 06136 and is attached to the municipality of Sospel, near Nice. The square is an open place to visit, offering a historical and picturesque setting to visitors.

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