31 December 2007

Roquebrune village - 5

On the road that leads from the village to the donkey track down to Menton is one of the most remarkable trees in France. This is a must for all visitors to the village, although for me, there isn't a corner of this beautiful village that isn't worth visiting. Known as the Olivier Millénaire - the 1000 year old olive tree - it is thought to be nearer to 2000 years old according to the tourist office of Roquebrune-cap-Martin, who write:

'The roots, like those of the Mathusalem de Provence, extend 20 meters in diameter. Olive trees were probably introduced to France by the Phœnicians 3000 years ago, but this tree was more likely planted by the Romans in the year 400.'

I also took the following information from a website called Venerable Trees of the Earth.

'The tree was, in the 19th century, the property of the Vial brothers, called 'the dragons, the loggers, bonesetters and poachers.' They were determined to cut it down but Gabriel Hanotaux, the French politician and historian (1853 - 1944) intervened. He happened to be passing and was entranced by the beauty of the tree and bought it from the Vial brothers. It still belongs to his descendants but it is the municipality who care for it.' There is a street in the village called avenue Gabriel Hanotaux - seemingly, he invited Clémenceau, Poincaré and Briand to admire the beauty of this olive tree.

The hanging cage, by the way, contains a crèche - Roquebrune village is famous for its beautiful and varied cribs at Christmas.

20 comments:

  1. Wow! There's a lot of History held within the roots of that tree.

    What a site and nice it hasn't been cut down and removed.

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  2. HaPpY nEw YeAr!!! Wishing you life's best this 2008!

    pusa
    i heart manila

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  3. Ah Roquebrune... Where lived (and I hope they still live) two sister with whom I fell in love when 17. Brunette Danielle and blonde Michelle and my heart still beat thinking back those years.

    This is also my way to thank you Jilly about these shots from a small part of France (Menton and Montecarlo) that I personally love so much. Grazie e Buon Anno, Bonne Année with all my heart.

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  4. What a comment on life and living.

    Happy new Year to you.

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  5. It is great to walk to this tree after dinner in one of the Village's restaurants, to admire it for the 1000th time and to walk back again, with stunning views across the sea towards the lights of Monaco ...

    PS Well done, Jilly, for all the glorious local colour ! How on earth are you going to choose ONE photograph for tomorrow ?

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  6. Oh thank you so much, for commenting in one of my blogs. And thus, I have found your marvelous blogs. Oh I have so much joy coming. While going back through them.

    Happy New Year,
    Mari-Nanci
    Saratoga Spgs. NY US

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  7. Such a lovely story about the saving of this PRECIOUS tree! I love your part of the world, and one day, I hope to spend more time there. Happy New Year Jilly! May all your dreams come true this year!

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  8. Wow, 1000 year old trees!

    I'd like to wish you well for 2008 too, Happy New Year!
    from South Shields Daily Photo

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  9. Oh, thanks so much for bringing attention to this wonderful old tree! I am happy to see that it's cherished and respected. It reminds me of Greece, and last summer's terrible devastation when people were killed and so many ancient and productive olive trees perished during the fires. May 2008 be a year of serenity and health to you and yours, Jilly.

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  10. Happy New Year! I am off on holidays in a couple of hours - where the signal is bad and the time better spent:-) so I may not be around for a couple of weeks.

    That olive tree is amazing - I wonder if the ones in our nearby park (I've posstwd them a couple of times), will last that long????

    So looking forward to '08 and our little European sojourn.

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  11. If that tree could talk ;-)

    Happy New Year, Jilly - hope all your dreams and hopes come true in 2008!

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  12. This place is AWESOME Jilly! You have a wonderful blog. I look forward to seeing the seaons unfold in '08.

    Happy New Year to you and yours! All best in 2008!

    Wayne

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  13. Wow - have amazing. Thank God for M Hanotaux - saving such a remarkable tree for us all to stare in awe at!!!

    All the best for 2008 Jilly - another year of fabulous posts I hope.

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  14. Oh how beautiful! They look like olive trees! It must be beautifully fragrant when they bloom.

    Happy New Year to you and your family!

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  15. Wow, Jilly! What an interesting tree! I would love to see it!

    Happy New Year!

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  16. Thanks be to the gods that humans have not stopped the life of this truly wonderful tree! I am so glad that you have posted these two photos.

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  17. WOW! What a fabilous tree! I want to leave immediately to go see it! :-D

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  18. It looks so wonderful! I wish I could visit there one day. :)

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