Towering above the village of La Turbie, the Trophée d’Auguste is one of the most remarkable Roman monuments on the French Riviera. Built in 6 BC from local white stone, it was ordered by the Roman Senate to celebrate Emperor Augustus’s victory over Alpine tribes and to mark the frontier between Italy and Gaul.

Originally rising to about 50 metres in height, the monument once featured niches filled with statues of Roman commanders who participated in the campaign. Over the centuries the structure was partially dismantled, reused as a fortress and quarry, and even damaged during conflicts in the region.

Major restoration began in the early 20th century, eventually returning the monument to much of its original grandeur. Today it stands as the only Roman monument of its type still surviving, dominating the landscape above Monaco.

Visitors can explore the terraces around the monument and the Musée du Trophée des Alpes, which displays fragments of sculpture, inscriptions, drawings, and a model showing how the monument originally looked. The site also offers some of the most breathtaking views on the Riviera, stretching across Monaco, Cap Ferrat, and the Mediterranean coastline far below.

👉 Local tip: Walk to the end of Rue Comte-de-Cessole in La Turbie for one of the best viewpoints of the monument itself. From here you can photograph the Trophée d’Auguste rising dramatically above the village rooftops.