Sospel

History and remains

• The old toll bridge used by travellers to cross the Bévéra, built in the 13th century, still stands. It was bombed by the Germans during World War II to prevent contact between the French Resistance and the Italians. Much of the town was destroyed. Renovated after World War II it now houses the tourist office.
• The ruins of a tower, part of a château belonging to the counts of Provence, are all that remain of the 14th century city walls.

  Ecclesiastical history

• Bertrando Imberti, Friars Minor
• Pietro Marinaco, O.F.M., next Bishop of Famagosta
• Bartolomeo de Giudici

Population

Sospel in fiction

• The town of Sospel is mentioned in Daphne du Maurier's novel Rebecca, when Max de Winter declines an invitation from annoying social climber Mrs. Van Hopper on the excuse that he is driving to Sospel that day.
• In 1909 it was described in Gaston Leroux's novel, The Perfume of the Lady in Black, as
• Sospel is a setting in the 1977 mystery novel All Roads to Sospel by George Bellairs.