Hidden gems of the French Riviera from Grasse to Antibes

Arrival French Riviera: Grasse the perfume capital

Arrival on your own in Grasse, the perfume capital of Europe! Your hotel is a 15-20 mins walk from the train station, or by public bus N0.5 (ticket not included ). Take the time to visit the International perfume museum and meander through the streets, taking in the cathedral which houses works by some of the great artists including Rubens. At the Art & History Museum you can get a real insight into life in Provence through the ages.

From Grasse to the village of Pont du Loup

From Grasse, you make your way up onto the heights and soon follow pretty paths through the woodlands before enjoying a gentle walk on a wide path with stunning views. Shorter walk option 2 : If you wish to shorten the walk to 12km, we can organize a taxi transfer (please advise at the time of booking, supplement 40€). The steep climb towards the village of Bar sur Loup is rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views. You descend to Bar sur Loup, where you can stop for lunch or a picnic before continuing along a forested track to Pont du Loup, your base for the night.

Walk : Grasse > Pont du Loup Long walk - 4h30 | 18 km - 11 miles | Elevation : +760m/-930m Short walk (option 1) - 4h | 12 km - 7 miles | Elevation : +600m/-930m with a public bus to the start of the walk Short walk (option 2) - 3h | 12 km - 7 miles | Elevation : +600m/-850m with an extra taxi transfer with supplement

Loop walk to Gourdon

Today you have 2 options : short walk option with a hike up to the village of Gourdon and back the same way. If you are up for it, you can add another short loop once in Gourdon taking you above the village. From the Pont du Loup you follow the well known "Sentier du Paradis" to one of the most beautiful villages in France . It’s a steep climb but all worth it ! You can enjoy a hearty meal and admire the magnificent views from the edge of the village all the way to the Mediterranean Sea and the famous Gorges du Loup where the river cuts through the deep gorges. Return to Le Pont du Loup via the same path

Walk : Pont du Loup > Gourdon> Pont du Loup Long walk - 2h40 | 12 km - 7 miles | Elevation : +600m/-930m Short walk (out and back) - 3h | 7 km - 4 miles | Elevation : +620m/-620m

From Courmes to Vence

After breakfast, a 15 min transfer takes you into the heart of the Gorges du Loup to the tiny hamlet of Courmes. From here, you climb up above the gorges on a steep and winding path with breathtaking views. You reach the beautiful Plateau St Barnabé, and the hamlet of the same name with just a scattering of houses before beginning the descent to Vence, the sea glistening in front of you as you descend. You arrive in the bustling historic centre of Vence where you will spend the next two nights. Don't miss the "Chapelle Matisse" in Vence !

Walk : Courmes > Vence - 4h | 14 km - 9 miles | Elevation : +390m/-690m

Walking options to Saint Paul de vence, Tourrettes sur Loup or the Baou blanc & noir

Today you have 3 walking options or you can choose to simply relax and take a break from hiking and enjoy the old town of Vence with its narrow, cobbled streets, charming square, and al fresco dining at one of the many restaurants - Easy walk - Starting in the historic centre of Vence, you head out of the town and enjoy a gentle stroll through the Sine woods. From here, you walk between forested path and paved road on a fairly flat terrain. The perched village of Saint Paul de Vence comes into view and you can admire a series of small chapels as you approach. You take a public bus back to Vence (bus ticket not included) -Moderate walk - The walking path to Tourettes-sur-Loup goes through the Sine woods. Tourrettes sur Loup is labelled as one of the most beautiful villages in France. It is a picturesque medieval village with beautiful houses adorned with hundreds of flowers and wide sweeping views over the valley and the hills. You can lose yourself for hours wandering the cobbled streets! You take the public bus back to Vence (ticket not included) Challenging walk - A challenging hike for experienced hikers but well worth the effort as the views are outstanding from the snow-covered peaks of the Alps to the Mediterranean. A Baou is a tall, steep hill with a flat top. There are some sections on steep rocky paths and trails and you need to feel comfortable scrambling over big rocks (not for a long time, approximately 20 min). You head above the town of Vence and set out to conquer the famous White & Black Baous.

Walk : Easy - Vence > Saint Paul de Vence - 1h10 | 4 km - 2 miles | Elevation : +100m/-240m and public bus back to Vence . Moderate - Vence > Tourrettes sur Loup - 2h30 | 8 km - 5 miles | Elevation +320m/-280m and public bus back to Vence

Challenging - Vence > Baou Blanc - Baou noir > Vence - 4h30 | 12 km - 7 miles | Elevation +720m/-720m

From Vence to Saint Jeannet

After breakfast, short transfer (10 min) to the start of your hike. You pass a limestone plateau and chestnut forest and descend the deep canyon of Cagne before reaching the village of Saint Jeannet with stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea. The small authentic village of St Jeannet is dominated by 3 Baou : the Baou de Saint Jeannet, the Baou de la Gaude just to the right, and the Baou des Noirs and Baou des Blancs lined up to the west towards Vence.

Walk : Vence > Saint Jeannet - 4h20 | 14 km - 9 miles | Elevation : +560m/-740m

Loop walk around Cap d’Antibes by the Med sea

Today you leave the back country and head South down to the Mediterranean Sea. After a 45 min transfer, you arrive at Cap d’Antibes. Marked by the lighthouse at the highest point, it is a lush setting boasting some very large and expensive estates. You start your coastal loop hike at the Garoup beach and walk along a path that is paved in parts and rocky and untamed in others. The waves lap over the rocks as you pass and the view of the "Lérins Islands" to the west and the Baous of Vence and St Jeannet and the snow-capped peaks of the Alps to the east is magnificent. A gentle end to your walking tour! At the end of your walk you can either catch the public bus no.2 back to your hotel (20 min ride cost around 1-2€ pp) or walk back to the centre of Antibes. Your hotel is in the centre of Antibes. Visit the old town with the ramparts along the sea and the protective wall along the port. There are plenty of little streets for exploring, restaurants and many shops. We recommend the visit of the Picasso Museum and the 16th century Fort Carrée where Napoleon was imprisoned.

Loop Walk : 1h30 | 4 km - 2 miles | Elevation : +90m/-90m

End of your walking tour

End of your trip in Antibes after breakfast. We recommend to have an extra day on the Lerins Islands ! You can catch a train from Antibes to Nice (30 min ride) or to Cannes (15 min) and take a boat to explore the Lerins islands : St Margarite & St Honorat. We can also organize a private taxi transfer (price upon request).