We have several times visited the well-to-do village of Aspremont also because it happens to be a good starting point for 
several hikes. We can recommend hikes to nearby Mont Chauve with super views down to Nice, and Mont Cima north of the village.
From the parking (490 m) in the centre of Aspremont we have seen ruins on a hilltop opposite Mont Cima. We became interested in visiting the site and did some research about Aspremont’s history. The ruins you see up there are those of ancient Aspremont.
Apparently the site of the ruins was a refuge for the Ligurians. The first written document mentioning this site that was then called Aspermum dates from 1062 AD. The site was abandoned in 1337 because of an epidemic. A new 
village was constructed lower at surroundings which are now known as quartier des Salettes.
In 1438 lord Ludovic Marquesan built a castle at the site of the modern Aspremont, and the villagers of les Salettes had to follow him. This castle was later destroyed during the Napoleonic wars.
The first part of the trail from the village centre is the same as to Mont Cima. Follow the GR5 north. Roughly under a power line, the trail forks 
left leaving GR5. Having reached the plateau called Collet de l’Eurier (736 m) you will see the signpost showing the trail north to Mont Cima or southwest to Croix de Cuor (744 m). The latter is a short walk away, and the hilltop that is marked with a wooden cross offers great views.
We descended back a little bit and followed an unpaved DFCI road towards Aspremont. Opposite a dog training area, a steep and narrow 
path leads to the Villevieille ruins on the top of Mont Barri (816 m). This path is marked with pink spots, and can be found in the topographic map of the area although the name of the mountain 
is not written. The panorama is superb down to the Var River valley, Côte d’Azur and of course the Mercantour peaks. The ridge where the ruins are is surprisingly narrow and steep. One can just imagine how harsh the life must have been there. We descended along the same trail. Other options may exist but the ridge is pretty steep and rugged, and there’s a lot of maquis.
There’s a description in French of the walk here, including Mont Cima.
Elevation gain: about 350 m
Duration: 3 h
Map: IGN nice-Menton 3742 OT
