In our region Spring and Autumn are two exceptional seasons for exploring nature.

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The spring season generates an enchantment of colours, from the Mediterranean shores in March to the alpine meadows in June. As the result of a unique biodiversity in Europe, our region has a concentration, for example, of more than 70% of the vascular plants in France, and The Alpes-Maritimes of around 90 species of orchids, which means close to two-thirds of these flowers for France.

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From the red rocks of the Esterel near Cannes to the foothills of the region of Nice and Monaco, I will help you discover this priceless treasure.

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Wildlife and birds are not to be outdone: 150 species of mammals and more than 350 species of birds populate our land. The stars are ungulates – hoofed animals like chamois, ibexes, mouflons, red deer, roe deer and boar. Also wolves, since we are the first area of France where this super predator has returned after extinction, and not forgetting marmots (prairie dogs in America), as well as a wide range of raptors like golden eagles, bearded vultures, griffon vultures and peregrine falcons. During my walks, binoculars as well as a telescope will help you to watch all this unique wildlife.

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The autumn, with its colour gradient of larches and deciduous trees, gives us a very special light, as well as wild berries and mushrooms. The atmosphere is a symphony of colours and scents. By the way, the climate in October or early November is warm enough to walk in shorts and tee-shirts.

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You will find hereunder some suggestions of walks that I would propose for you with pleasure. These are only a sample of possible hikes since I will take into account elements such as elevation and season, the technical level of the walk or more simply, your expectations in terms of content – such as a pure walk in nature or a combination of nature and cultural heritage. It is undoubtedly possible to achieve a tailor-made programme, in line with your expectations.

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Please feel free to contact me for any personal request.

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The complete listing of my rates is of course available on request.

 

IN THE LAND OF OLIVES

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Thematic day about the emblematic tree of the Mediterranean. This tour is a combination of a walk together with the visit to a farm including tasting of local products. 3 walking options are suggested, all of them offering landscapes of olive groves. Finally you will be welcomed by Carla and Frédéric, professional olive growers as well as farmers, who will share with you their passion for another nature and invite you to taste their agricultural products, such as olive oils, olive paste, pies, homemade fruit juices, etc.

The hiking route requires a car drop in the village of Sospel, then a walk from the villages of Breil sur Roya or Olivetta depending on the degree of difficulty. A bus or chauffeured car [taxi?] drop off is the other option.

 

 

BAUSSON CIRCUIT

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Loop walk from the perched village [actually, you can say ‘village perché, I think] of Gorbio above Menton towards the Bausson peak (1087 meters high) then return via the village of Sainte Agnès.

This tour is an interesting combination of landscapes including Mediterranean forest (oaks and pine trees) and maquis (scrubland) habitat with wonderful scents of aromatic plants like thyme, lavender, savory or helichrysum stoechas, as well as a number of orchids in the spring.

One of the highlights of this walk is definitely the visit of the village of Sainte Agnès, known as the highest coastal village of Europe, 700 meters high but only few kilometers away from the sea as the crow flies. This genuine eagles’ nest, with its medieval houses and cobbled and vaulted streets is crowned on a rocky spur by the ruins of a 12th century primitive village. Those ruins are a breathtaking viewpoint over Menton, the sea and the surrounding mountains.

Grade: easy to medium

Inclination: 540 m + and 540 m -

Duration: 4 hours

 

SAORGE CIRCUIT

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This walk around the village of Saorge is in a superb natural setting, the village itself being considered as one of the most spectacular hilltop villages of the hinterland. Situated in the Roya valley, Saorge shows houses built in steps up the slope like in an amphitheatre reminding one of villages in Tibet.

The walk starts with the wild Bendola valley together with spectacular Gorges de Saorge. Several former farmed hamlets bring a romantic note to the landscapes due to their abandoned barns and former cultivation terraces. In the springtime, this microhabitat is a dream for those admiring wild orchids as the concentration of species is fantastic in such a small area.

The cultural heritage is interesting with several chapels like the Madonna de Poggio, typical remains of the “first Romanesque art” of the 11-12th century, as well as the Holy Cross chapel surrounded by ancient houses roofed by red slate.

The visit of Saorge is another enchantment of narrow, paved and cobbled streets together with a rich artistic heritage of baroque churches and chapels and a former Franciscan convent.

Grade: easy to medium

Inclination: 350 m + and 350 m -

Duration: 3 ½  hours

 

LA PARE WATERFALL

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Loop walk in the hinterland of Grasse, next to the villages of Saint Vallier de Thiey and Saint Cézaire. All the scents and colours of the aromatic plants and Mediterranean plants bring great sensations in a wild natural setting.

The highlight of this hike is undoubtedly the amazing waterfall of La Pare, a real natural jewel away from prying eyes. Natural sensations guaranteed!

Grade: easy to medium

Inclination: 400 m + and 400 m -

Duration: 4 ½  hours

 

EZE CIRCUIT BETWEEN THE SKY AND THE SEA

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The 3 world famous cliff roads, called Corniches, part the community of Eze in 3 stages, from Eze-sur-Mer and its long beach, to the Eze pass (507 meters) via Eze Village (430 meters). The Mont Bastide route links all these points while following ancient mules’ tracks where the Mediterranean vegetation gives an overview of its fantastic biodiversity : woods of wild carob trees, holm oaks and flowering ashes growing next to grey-leaved cistus, lentisc, or tree spurge.

The highlight of this hike is the panorama from the Mont Bastide, 566 meters above the sea and below the sky. This hilltop position was used as a look-out point in Neolithic times (New Stone Age), and ruins of giant stones of a former habitat are still visible.

Grade: easy to medium

Inclination: 300 meters + or – depending on the choice of route

Duration: 1 ½ to 3 hours

 

 

 FROM THE RED (rocks) OF THE ESTÉREL TO THE ROSÉ (wine) OF PROVENCE

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This day tour combines an easy-grade walk in the fantastic coastal mountain range of the Estérel together with a wine tasting and visit to a wine estate near the city of Fréjus.

The walk starts from the coastal road close to Saint-Raphaël and follows the seaside with jagged rocks right by the sea or viewpoints above. The colour range goes from the intense red rocks to the deep blue tones of the Mediterranean, encompassing the multicoloured shades and spring scents of flowers such as French lavender, cistus, arbutus and myrtle.

After this breathtaking walk, there is a short drive to Fréjus and tour of a wine estate, followed by a buffet lunch served with the house wines.

Grade: easy

Inclination: 100 meters + and –

Duration: 2 ¼ hours

 

 

GORGES DU DALUIS

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This mineral circuit is a balcony over the steep sided Gorges de Daluis, also named “Colorado niçois” due to the Burgundy red of the rocks. The highlight is without doubt the breathtaking panorama from the official viewpoint, opened in 1989, where the river bed of the Var is 270 meters down below.

You will notice as well on the opposite bank of the canyon former openings dating back to a mining period of copper extraction.

Those red rocks called pélites or shale in English result from the mixing of transported mud mixed with volcano ashes.

Interesting plants like the burning bush, the leaves of which were once used for their dyeing properties, and give extraordinary colour in the late spring.

Grade: medium

Inclination: 500 meters + and –

Duration: 4 hours

 

PEILLE TO PEILLON

 

Enjoy a splendid walk in the hinterland of Monaco, between 2 of the most spectacular hilltop villages of our region, 2 genuine gems of setting and medieval architecture. The natural assets of this walk are simply superb, combining open landscapes as testimony to an ancient farming system with many cultivation terraces, together with woods or impressive vertical cliffs.

The approach to the village of Peillon by an ancient mule track is simply unforgettable and offers amazing viewing angles.

Numerous explanations about the human heritage (architecture, agricultural past) and natural heritage (Mediterranean vegetation and bird watching).  

After having identified and smelt aromatic herbs during the walk, one option is to enjoy a cookery lesson on the use of herbes de Provence at a gourmet restaurant, l’Auberge de la Madone with the chef Thomas Millo, followed by lunch.

If you do not wish to attend the cooking lesson, another option is to walk a loop from the starting point in Peille. In this case, add 2 ½ hours more as well as 350 meters inclination and 150 meters declination.

Grade: easy to medium

Inclination: 50 m + / 250 m -   OR  450 m + / 450 m -

Duration: 1 ¼  hour / 2 hours / 4 ½ hours

 

 

VALLÉE DES MERVEILLES

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La Vallée des Merveilles, literally the Marvels Valley is definitely one of the most exciting places of investigation for archeologists but also for ordinary visitors interested in history and nature. People of the Copper Age and Early Bronze Age, about 4000 years ago, left enigmatic engravings on the landscape. On colourful rocks polished by glaciers, more than 40 000 enigmatic figures cover the rock plates are the first signs of the invention of writing. The landscape itself is a chaos of fractured rocks by erosion and is a deep contrast with the silence of the place.

Numerous interpretations of these engravings have been given by scientists and I will of course evoke these different assumptions. As for me, I am certified by the Mercantour National Park to guide you through this archeological zone which is listed as a Historical Monument.

Située en plein cœur du Parc National, la Vallée des Merveilles est également un lieu exceptionnel de rencontre avec la faune sauvage, marmottes, chamois et bouquetins se partageant les lieux alors que l'ombre du gypaète barbu ou de l'aigle royal planent dans le ciel.

Situated in the heart of the Mercantour National Park, la Vallée des Merveilles is also an outstanding place to see wildlife : marmots, chamois and ibexes share this habitat while bearded vultures and golden eagles soar high in the sky.

Due to the distance from coastal cities (2 ½ hours drive) and the climb to reach the first engravings, it highly recommended to book a 2-day tour, including an overnight in a lodge.

I am available to provide you with all the details for a 2-day route and even a loop in 3 or 4 days.