French Riviera on Foot

Grasse is the perfume capital of the world and a gateway to many walking trails. Check in at your hotel, located in a quiet area with bus access to the town centre. This evening, enjoy dinner at leisure in a local restaurant of your choosing.

Before setting out on your walk, we recommend visiting the famous Fragonard Perfume factory, museum and shop. Setting out, the walk takes you up to the village of Bar-sur-Loup, an old, lovingly restored perched village with a church and 13th century castle. Finish the day's walk at the gateway of the Gorge du Loup in the village of Pont du Loup. You stay in a small hotel in the village and enjoy the evening meal at the hotel.
Walk: 14km/8.7mi, 300m/984ft ascent, 5-6hrs including breaks

Today starts with a relatively steep ascent, which will be very quickly rewarded when you reach Gourdon. Rated one of the most beautiful villages of France ('Plus Beaux Villages of France'), Gourdon is really worth exploring. You can choose to stay in the village for an extended visit or keep walking up to the plateau (at 1000m) and enjoy more fabulous views of the Gorges du Loup. Return to your hotel in Pont du Loup for dinner and overnight.
Walk: 8km/5mi, 850m/2788ft ascent to the plateau, 5hrs including breaks

Today you will walk at the foot of Pic de Courmettes on quiet roads and easy paths, with nice views over the Loup valley. Arrive in Courmes, another lovely village of the Maritime Alps, where you dine and spend the next 2 nights in a welcoming gite.
Walk: 14km/8.7mi, 425m/1395ft ascent, 6hrs including breaks

Today's walk takes you to the top of the Courmettes mountain, where you can discover rich flora and a panoramic view down to the Riviera, to Cagnes-sur-Mer and Antibes and possibly even Corsica on a clear day! Return along the same path and enjoy the views from a different angle down to the Gorges Du Loup. Dinner and overnight in Courmes.
Walk: 10km/6.2mi, 600m/1969ft ascent, 6hrs including breaks

After a relatively steep and short ascent, you will enjoy the views of the Saint Barnabé plateau. Over 1000m high, it feels like you're in the Alps, and yet so close to the busy French Riviera! Some deep valleys will bring you gently down to the charming town of Vence. Many famous artists such as Matisse and Dufy were
inspired by the area and spent some time in Vence, and it remains popular with artists and writers today. It is also a big market town with markets every day (the two largest are on Tuesday and Friday mornings). Tonight you will stay in a comfortable 3 star hotel.
Walk: 12km/7.5mi, 450m/1476ft ascent, 6hrs including breaks

Vence is also a gateway to many walking trails, so today you can choose to walk to the majestic village of Saint Paul de Vence (moderate), do a loop walk to the medieval village of La Tourettes-sur-Loup (active), or climb the Baou des Blancs / Baou des Noirs (challenging) and enjoy the breathtaking views over the coast and the Riviera. Return to Vence in the evening.
Walk, dependent on your chosen option: from 4-14km/2.5-8.7mi, from 150-600m/492-1969ft ascent, up to 6.5hrs including breaks

The trip concludes in Vence after breakfast. You can enjoy the local market before departing for Nice or beyond.