Hidden Gems of the French Riviera Provence France Just a stone throw from the glitz and glamour of the French Riviera, discover the hidden gems of the Pays de Grasse a verdant and fragrant corner nestled in the hills above Cannes. From Grasse, the perfume capital, the hikes lead through sun-kissed landscapes with magnificent views from the snow-covered peaks to the deep blue Sea, hills, chestnut forests, and to some of France’s most beautiful villages, including Gourdon, Saint Paul de Vence and Tourrettes sur Loup. You finish your tour in Antibes, a pretty seaside town with pebbled & sandy beaches and a coastal hike around Cap Antibes. Enjoy the favorable climate, soak up the artsy atmosphere in Vence, admire wonderful viewpoints and indulge in delicious Mediterranean cuisine and wine on this 7 nights self-guided moderate hiking trip. HIGHLIGHTS • Wonderful contrast of mountain peaks & deep blue Mediterranean Sea • Discover some of the most beautiful villages in France: Gourdon, St Paul de Vence and Tourrettes sur Loup • Grasse the perfume capital & Vence source of inspiration for painters and writers Walking Tour Meeting: Grasse Airport: Nice Transfer: Riders: Min 2 riders Max 6 riders Trip Brochure (PDF) Trip Rating

Packages and Options

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Transfer and Other Charges:

Transfers are not available for this trip. You need to make your own way to Grasse on Day 1.

Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival
Make your own way to Grasse. From Nice airport, you can catch the 650 bus to Grasse (1h ride) or from Nice center a 1h10 train to Grasse. We can also organize a private taxi transfer (price upon request). The hotel is situated a 15-20 mins walk from the train station.
Grasse is well known for its perfume industry. You can visit the International perfume museum and the cathedral which houses works of art by some of the great masters of painting including Rubens.
Meals included: none
Overnight in Grasse

Day 2: Grasse to 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. 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 next two nights.
Hiking about 18 km / +760m/-930m - Possible to shorten the walk with a transfer (not included) 12km +443m/-850m
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Pont du Loup

Day 3: Gourdon Hike
From the village, follow the well known Sentier du Paradis up to Gourdon labelled “one of the most beautiful villages in France “. It’s a steep climb but all worth it. 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.
If you are up for more walking you can add a short loop taking you above the village. Then return down to the village on the same path.
Hiking about 4 km / +550m/-30m - Possible add extra loop and double the walking distance 
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Pont du Loup

Day 4: Courmes to Vence
After breakfast a 15 mins 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’ll spend the next few nights.
Hiking about 14 km / +395m/-690m - Possible add extra loop and double the walking distance 
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Vence

Day 5: Hike around Vence (several options)
Today you have many options, either relax and take a break from hiking or choose one of the following hikes below.
1. Easy Hike to Saint Paul de Vence (4,5km +95m/-236m and bus back to Vence - bus ticket not included)
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 alternate between forested path and paved road on a fairly flat terrain. The view of St Paul de Vence as you get closer is stunning and you can admire a series of small chapels as you approach.
2. Easy to Moderate Hike to Tourettes sur Loup (8km +320m/-280m and bus back to Vence - bus ticket not included)
Tourrettes is a picturesque medieval village backed by a range of hills, the path between Saint-Paul de Vence and Tourettes-sur-Loup goes through the woods. What you must see in Tourettes-sur-Loup: the city all and its museum, Bastide aux violettes, Church of Saint Grégoire and artists’ workshops.
3. Challenging Loop Hike to Baous (12KM +/-712M)
A challenging hike for experienced hikers but all worth the effort as the views are outstanding spreading from the snow covered peaks of the Alps to the Mediterranean. A Baou is a tall, steep hill with a flat top.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Vence

Day 6: Vence to Saint Jeannet
After breakfast, you have a 10-minute transfer to the start of your hike. You pass a limestone plateau and chestnut forest, descending the deep canyon of Cagne before reaching the village of Sain Jeannet. You will have wonderful views over the Mediterranean sea. The small authentic village is overheaded by the Baou de St. Jeannet, and 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.
Hiking about 14 km / +560m/-740m
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Saint Jeannet

Day 7: Cap Antibes Loop 
Today, you leave the back country and you head down South to the sea. After a 45 mins transfer, you arrive at Cap d’Antibes marked by the lighthouse.
You start your coastal loop hike at the Garoup beach. A beautiful and easy coastal 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 Isles 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!
From the end of your walk, you need to catch the #2 bus back to your hotel (20 mins ride cost around 1-2€ pp - not included) or hike back to the center of Antibes. Your hotel is in the center of Antibes. Once back in Antibes, you can 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 visiting the Picasso Museum and the 16th century Fort Carrée where Napoleon was imprisoned.
Hiking about 5 km / +90m/-90m
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Antibes

Day 8: End of trip
End of the program after breakfast. You can catch a train from Antibes to Nice (30 mins ride) or to Cannes (15 mins) and take a boat to explore the Lerins island. We can also organize a private taxi transfer on request (inquire for rates).

                                            Grasse area

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High Temperature (°F)	52	52	57	60	67	73	78	79	73	66	58	53
Average Low Temperature (°F)	34	35	39	44	51	57	62	61	55	50	41	36
Average High Temperature (°C)	11	11	14	16	19	23	26	26	23	19	15	12
Average Low Temperature (°C)	1	2	4	6	10	14	16	16	13	10	5	2
Average Precipitation (days of rain)	6	5	5	6	5	3	1	2	4	6	7	5

Source: NOAA

Seasons
The Provençal climate is characterized by the bright and ever-present Provençal sun. The winds and rains are sporadic year-round.

Winters are most often mild and sunny, with incredibly clear skies. This is a great season with incredible lighting.

Autumn & Spring, with their mild weather, can sometimes bring with them more abundant rains. 

Summer months can be very hot and dry, with occasional thunderstorms that cool the air. 

We recommend visiting between March and June or September and November, when the mild temperatures are ideal.


Mistral Wind
The mistral is a strong and turbulent wind that blows in gusts. It cools the hot summer temperatures and produces a brisk chill in the winter. 
It is always accompanied by the sun, an intense blue sky, and spectacular visibility.

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Accommodations
This is a progressive trip, so you will be staying in different establishments along the way. 

Description
We favour small local establishments, often family-run hotels or B&Bs, that employ local people. Selected by our track finders, our accommodations are chosen based on the friendliness of the owners, the quality of the service, the charm of the establishment and, quite often, the quirkyness (of both accommodation and owners!) that makes where you sleep an integral part of your adventure. 

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Hotel in Grasse
Night 2 & 3: Auberge in Pont du Loup
Night 4 & 5: Auberge in Vence
Night 6: Hotel in Saint Jeannet
Night 7: Hotel in Antibes

Hotel in Grasse
This 4-star hotel offers 62 modern bedrooms, each equipped with an ensuite bathroom, an electric kettle, air conditioning, a TV and free Wi-Fi internet.
Guests can relax by the pool or go exercise in the gym.

Auberge in Pont du Loup
This family-owned hotel welcomes guests since 1991. The recently refurbished rooms feature a comfortable bed, a flat-screen TV, a phone, free Wi-Fi access and a fully equipped private bathroom.

Auberge in Vence
This old relay station has been renovated in order to provide comfortable accommodation to guests. You will stay in one of the 6 bedrooms. The rooms all have private facilities and charming wood furniture.

Hotel in Saint Jeannet
This small hotel has 15 simply decorated bedrooms, each with their own bathrooms and free Wi-Fi access. In the evening, you can relax in the small garden.

Hotel in Antibes
This modern 3-star hotel offers comfortable bedrooms with a small balcony, free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, an electric kettle, a mini fridge and a private bathroom with shower and hair dryer.


Meals
All breakfasts are included in your package.

Breakfasts will be provided by the accommodations.

Lunches and dinners need to be paid extra locally.

Tack:
Horses:
Pace:
Level:		(3 out of 5)    Moderate
Riders:		Min 2 riders	Max 6 riders

Hiking Difficulty: Moderate
You will walk on different types of terrain, from 8 to 18km, average +300m/-650m. A good level of fitness is required. You should not mind scrambling a little bit to get to some stages of the itinerary, walking uphill is not an issue for you and you can walk over different types of terrains.
There are no technical difficulties, but we highly recommend good hiking boots & walking poles. There are a few loop hikes so you can also relax on some days to recover and just relax and explore the villages.

Gear
We recommend using walking poles. Our itineraries are more often than not way marked and on well defined paths, tracks, and sometimes back country roads. The trails can be rocky; good boots with ankle support & walking poles are highly recommended. You will be in a zones where water is scarce; you will have to bring enough water with you each day.

Passports

Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except:

(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.

Passport Note

France is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.



Visas

Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for the following durations:

(a) nationals of EU countries for an unlimited period;

(b) nationals of Australia, Canada and the USA for stays of up to 90 days.

Passport Required?
British	Yes
Australian	Yes
Canadian	Yes
USA	Yes
Other EU	1
Visa Required?
British	No
Australian	No
Canadian	No
USA	No
Other EU	No
Return Ticket Required?
British	No
Australian	Yes
Canadian	Yes
USA	Yes
Other EU	No

This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult the embassy or consulate for updated info.