This village resembles the prow of a ship launched above the valley and Saint Martin du Var. La Roquette dominates the area with its altitude of 387 meters. One can discover at Castel Vieil the remains of a primitive village.
In 1028, Rochetta is mentioned regarding a ford, which was a privilege, allowing one to cross the river. It was a passage over the waterways, at a shallow spot where travelers could cross either on the back of a man, on horseback, on a pack animal, or by carriage. In all cases, they paid a toll.
The fief was successively the possession of the Béranger in the 13th century, the Ranulfi in 1365, then the Litti of Saint Auban and Bonson. The Lascaris, through marriage with a Litti, became overlords of La Roquette. The Grimaldi of Beuil had rights there in the 15th century.
Julie Lascaris brought the fief as a dowry during her marriage to Marc Laugier. The division was made among her children. La Roquette was assigned to her son Honoré Laugier, abbot of Saint Pons, in 1606. In 1777, the lord of La Roquette was Joseph Vincent Lascaris de Castellar; he was a minister of the States of Savoy, and the fief of La Roquette was raised to a marquisate. In 1867, Saint Martin du Var became a commune and detached from La Roquette.
La Roquette Saint Martin became La Roquette du Var. Now a bridge is erected, the river is no longer a border, and both banks of the Var are French. The Church of the Chair of Saint Peter was built on the site of a structure mentioned in 1351.
This church was completed on August 11, 1682. It is a baroque jewel containing an altarpiece depicting Saint Peter, Saint Martin, and Saint Barbara. A chapel dedicated to Our Lady Del Bosco is adorned with frescoes by Andréa de Cella. The castle of Tralatour from the 16th century is a private residence.
Upon reaching the Portalet viewpoint, we discover a panorama where the sea, the Niçoise hills, the Var valley, and the alpine peaks with their claw-like fingers tearing the sky offer us the surreal scenery of landscapes of unparalleled beauty.
Thierry Jan
