Castérino · 1,550 m · Mercantour National Park
Auberge
Sainte Marie-
Madeleine
A mountain inn in the heart of the Alpes-Maritimes
At the foot of the Vallée des Merveilles, on the French–Italian border, Julia and Valentin welcome you into a warm house where hiking, history and regional cooking come together.
The Inn
A house
over a century old
Perched at 1,550 metres in the hamlet of Castérino, in the commune of Tende, Auberge Sainte Marie-Madeleine is one of the closest gateways to the Vallée des Merveilles (Valley of Wonders), a listed historic monument.
For more than a century, the same house has welcomed travellers and hikers. The warmth of the wood stove, regional cooking and a friendly atmosphere await you in summer and in winter.
Accommodation
Stay
in the heart
of the Alps
Rooms, chalets and a dormitory — all available as bed only, half board or full board with packed lunch. Every room has a private toilet and shower.
Half board: room + breakfast (€15) + dinner (€26) · Full board: + packed lunch (€15)
The inn · 4 rooms
Double to
quadruple rooms
From €72
Toilet & shower · sleeps 11
Detached chalets
Agnelino &
Paracuerta
From €82
Toilet & shower · 2 double rooms
Large chalet
Rocher
Rouge
From €105
Toilet & bath · triple room
The rooms in pictures
Rooms 1, 2, 3, 4 · Toilet & shower
Double to quadruple rooms — the inn
| Occupancy | Room only | Half board | Full board + packed lunch |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | €72 | €113 | €128 |
| 2 people | €72 | €154€77 / person | €184€92 / person |
| 3 people | €95 | €218€73 / person | €263€88 / person |
| 4 people | €116 | €280€70 / person | €340€85 / person |
Detached chalets · Toilet & shower
Agnelino & Paracuerta — double rooms
| Occupancy | Room only | Half board | Full board + packed lunch |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | €82 | €123 | €138 |
| 2 people | €82 | €164€82 / person | €194€97 / person |
Large chalet · Toilet & bath
Rocher Rouge — triple room
| Occupancy | Room only | Half board | Full board + packed lunch |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | €105 | €146 | €161 |
| 2 people | €105 | €187€94 / person | €217€109 / person |
| 3 people | €128 | €251€84 / person | €296€99 / person |
Refuge · Dormitory
10 beds
Ideal for hikers, groups and clubs. An authentic mountain-hut atmosphere in the heart of the Mercantour.
€27
per night, per person
Full board + packed lunch : €83
Breakfast
€15
per person
Packed lunch
€15
per person
Dinner (half board)
€26
per person
Children under 11
€50
half board · €65 full board
All prices include VAT (TTC). Tourist tax not included: €0.50 per adult per night (free for under-18s).
Booking conditions
- Cancellation: 15 days before the arrival date, for all stays.
- Pets are welcome.
- Tourist tax not included: €0.50 per adult per night (free for minors).
- To book or ask for a group quote, write to us: we reply within 24 hours.
Winter
Cross-country skis, snowshoes
& sledges
When the snow arrives, the inn rents cross-country skis, snowshoes and sledges. The wood stove is waiting for you when you come back.
Equipment rental
Rental prices on request: write to us or give us a call.
- Cross-country skis
- Snowshoes
- Sledges
After your outing
The wood stove, the bar and regional cooking are waiting. You can stay overnight: rooms, chalets or dorm, B&B, half board or full board. Pets are welcome.
When to come
The inn opens for the winter season on 19 December 2026. Snow cover varies from year to year: please check with us before you travel.
Events & Private Hire
Your exceptional
moment
in the mountains
The inn can be hired exclusively for your events — seminars, birthdays, weddings or nature retreats. At 1,550 metres, between sky and forest, a timeless setting for moments that last.
Tailor-made regional meals, on-site accommodation, mountain activities: we build your stay from start to finish.
Seminars & team building
Combine work, nature and conviviality. The inn and its outdoor spaces for business days off the beaten track.
Birthdays & celebrations
Exclusive use of the dining room and terrace, a tailor-made regional menu and a warm atmosphere guaranteed.
Group & club stays
Hiking clubs, sports groups, associations — accommodation and catering packages for groups of every size.
Partner excursion
The Valley
of Wonders
by 4×4
A veritable open-air prehistoric museum, listed as a historic monument: more than 40,000 Bronze Age rock engravings carved into the schist slabs of the Mercantour at 2,000 metres. The site can only be reached on foot — but thanks to his 4×4, Paul Servel drops you as close as possible to the trailheads, saving you several hours of approach walking.
Licensed partner guide
Paul Servel
Licensed by the Mercantour National Park and a specialist in reading and interpreting the rock engravings of the Vallée des Merveilles, Paul Servel guides you through this exceptional heritage with rare expertise. In his 4×4 he takes you as close as possible to the trailheads leading to the engraved slabs, so you can spend your day discovering the engravings rather than walking to reach them.
Rock engravings
Bronze Age · 5,000 years of history
At the foot of the Mercantour peaks, between France and Italy, a listed valley beyond time.
| Option | Guests | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Full day | Adult | €110 |
| Full day | Child up to 11 (inclusive) | €75 |
Bookable as a full day only, departing from the inn. Your choice of the Fontanalba site or the Vallée des Merveilles site. Prices include VAT.
Coming soon: a Salt Road excursion. Programme and prices to be announced.
A day with a licensed guide
The trip is run by our partner Paul Servel, a guide licensed by the Mercantour National Park and a specialist in rock engravings. In his 4×4 he takes you as close as possible to the trailheads and saves you several hours of walking.
You choose the site: the Vallée des Merveilles or Fontanalba. The trip leaves from the inn and can only be booked as a full day.
An open-air prehistoric museum
Carved into the schist slabs of the Mercantour more than 3,500 years ago, the engravings show human figures, animals and tools. The site can only be reached on foot: the 4×4 shortens the approach, it does not replace the walk.
The Sorcerer, with his raised arms, is one of the most famous figures in Europe.
Coming soon: the Salt Road
A new Salt Road trip is being prepared. The programme and prices will be published here as soon as they are known. Write to us if you would like to be told.
Iconic figure · Bronze Age
The Sorcerer of the
Vallée des Merveilles
Engraved more than 3,500 years ago on the schist slabs of the Mercantour, this human-shaped figure with raised arms is one of the most famous rock engravings in Europe. It has watched over the valley since time immemorial — and over our inn since 1900.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to the Vallée des Merveilles from the inn?
The engravings can only be reached on foot. Our partner Paul Servel, an approved guide, drives you in his 4×4 to the start of the trails and saves you several hours of approach walking. The trip is a full day from the inn, to the Vallée des Merveilles or Fontanalba: €110 per adult, €75 per child up to 11 (prices include VAT).
Are pets allowed?
Yes, pets are welcome at the inn.
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Rooms are ready from 3 pm and check-out is before 10 am. If your room is ready earlier, you can arrive earlier.
Is there parking?
Yes, parking is free, right in front of the inn.
Can I come by train or bus?
Yes: Tende station (Nice–Cuneo line) is the nearest, so contact us to arrange pick-up from the station. Bus line 23 (Menton – Tende – Castérino) connects at Saint-Dalmas-de-Tende, mainly in summer: check the timetable before you travel.
Can I rent equipment in winter?
Yes, the inn rents cross-country skis, snowshoes and sledges. Rental prices are given on request.
When does the inn open?
The winter season opens on 19 December 2026. Snow cover varies from year to year: please check with us before you travel.
Contact & Directions
Find us
& book
Address
Auberge Sainte Marie-MadeleineHameau de Castérino · F-06430 Tende
Getting here
Getting to Castérino
From Nice — A8 towards Ventimiglia, then N204 to Tende (about 1h30).
Saint-Dalmas-de-Tende — once there, follow signs to Castérino (D91), a 7 km road winding through the forest.
Castérino — the inn is in the heart of the hamlet. Free parking opposite the entrance.
By train — Tende station (Nice–Cuneo line). Contact us to arrange a pick-up from the station.
By bus — line 23 (Menton – Tende – Castérino), connecting at Saint-Dalmas-de-Tende, mainly in summer. Please check timetables before you travel.
Legal notice
Site publisher
SARL Auberge Sainte Marie Madeleine, a limited liability company with a share capital of €1,000.
Registered office: Hameau de Castérino, 06430 Tende, France.
Trade register (RCS) [TO COMPLETE: registry city and number] · SIRET [TO COMPLETE]
VAT number [TO COMPLETE]
Tel. +33 7 49 63 51 54 · +33 6 47 09 25 25
E-mail: aubergemariemadeleine@gmail.com
Publication director
Valentin Henri, co-manager.
Hosting
OVH SAS, 2 rue Kellermann, 59100 Roubaix, France.
Prices
All prices are in euros, including VAT (TTC). Tourist tax (€0.50 per adult per night, free for under-18s) is extra.
Consumer mediation
In accordance with the French Consumer Code, customers may use a mediator free of charge: [TO COMPLETE: mediator name and contact details].
Personal data
The contact form collects your name, e-mail, phone number (optional) and stay details. They are used only to answer your request, are never sold and are kept only as long as needed to handle it. Your message goes through the Web3Forms sending service. You may request access to, correction or deletion of your data by writing to the e-mail address above.
Cookies
This site uses no tracking or advertising cookies.
Intellectual property
The texts and photographs on this site belong to the inn. Any reproduction without written permission is prohibited.