Les Balcons de la Cote d’Azur Walking Holiday | Walking Holiday in France | Self Guided Walking Holiday

The Cote d'Azur is famous for its sophisticated coastal resorts such as Nice, Cannes and Antibes, but what is much less well known is the excellent walking available in the mountains only a few miles inland and running parallel to this beautiful coast.

Grade: Moderate

Getting there:
By train via Paris to Cannes or fly to Nice. By bus from Cannes or Nice to Grasse.

From Nice airport to Grasse : bus line nr 500, Terminal 1, quay 2 ; many busses every
day ; 1:15 hour ; only 1€

From Menton to Nice airport : bus line nr 110, to Terminal 1 & Terminal 2, ; many
buses every day ; 1 hour ; 18€

Day 1 Arrive Grasse.

Day 2 Grasse to Pont du Loup.
The area around Grasse is where the flowers are grown to make perfume and in the spring it is also alive with wild flowers. Contouring around the hills, you will have magnificent views of the Mediterranean and the resorts of Cannes and Antibes. Passing the "village perche" of Bar sur Loup, today's walk ends in Pont du Loup. ~ 6h

Day 3 Pont du Loup to Courmes.
Climbing the "Chemin du Paradis" leads to Gourdon, one of the finest village perche with its dramatic setting and 13th century chateau. You will pass several such villages which were built inland and in relatively inaccessible places as a defence against coastal raids by pirates in the Middle Ages. The route now leads into the formidable Gorge du Loup where it passes through several short and safe tunnels. A torch is essential. ~ 6h

Day 4 Courmes to Vence.
Leaving the charming village of Courmes, we climb out of the gorge and onto the plateau above. A detour to the Pic des Courmettes, 1248 metres, provides views of the mountains of Mercantour and of the Alps beyond as well as other village perche such as Cipieres, Greolieres and Coursegoules. On the long descent into Vence the countryside is typical of the region with terraced fields dating back to the 16th century. Vence itself is a splendid old town with an 11th century cathedral. ~ 4h30m.

Day 5 Vence to St Jeannet.
A short transfer is followed by climbing up onto the Plan de Nove, characterised by fortified madieval farms. From the summit of Baou de Saint Jeannet there are breathtaking views before descending to this authentic provencal village. ~ 6h

Day 6 La Turbie to St Agnes.
You are transferred to La Turbie to start the walk. As you continue you are now only about 3 miles from the sea, but high above it with panoramic views of Monaco below and also the coastline stretching towards the Cap de St Tropez. Climbing through the ancient village of Gorbio we arrive at the village perche of St Agnes with its protecting chateau. ~ 6h

Day 7 St Agnes to Menton.
Mainly downhill today as the route makes the long descent to Menton and the sea. You will notice the different vegetation and aromas as you approach the sea. Menton is an old town with strong Italian influences and a good beach for a rewarding swim. ~ 3h

Day 8 Departure.

BMI Flights

British Airways

Currency Converter

Easyjet

Flight search/comparison

French Rail

Jet2 Flights

Ryanair

UK Rail Timetables

Useful Rail information

Weather