Coastal circuit on the Côte d’Azur: rambles beside water and rock

A place with an end-of-the-world feeling… The first stage of this circuit on the rocky trails of the Côte d’Azur coastline is the southernmost point of Cap d’Antibes. Away from the bustle of city life, this little paradise offers a soothing walk in contact with the sea and rock. Let the breeze lull you. The coastal trail – the well-named Sentier de Tirepoil – is supposed to have got its name from the sea wind which blows walkers’ hair all over the place. Accessible to all but with good shoes, this 5 km hike (about 2 hours) takes you along footpaths dotted with steps in the steeper areas. You can enjoy delightful views of Nice and the Baie des Anges. And you can switch off: after only a few minutes walk, all that accompanies you is the sound of the waves, the wind and the gulls. Further on, where the multicoloured rock bears witness to past volcanic activity the landscape becomes lunar.

A coastal wander to appreciate all year round, this second stage on the Promenade Baie des Anges is good for recharging your batteries beside the water. First of all, here in Villeneuve-Loubet, the waters of the Loup River flow into the Mediterranean. And then, you can gaze over the Mediterranean itself along sandy beaches lined with pine trees. Why not take a short break and watch the waves? Accessible to all, this walk which is just over 2 km (30 min), takes you to the SNCF train station. A moment to enjoy sublime panoramas of the Côte d’Azur coastline, from Cap de Nice to Cap d’Antibes. On the Port Marina Baie des Anges Croisette, look up and take stock of the architectural genius of the designers of the 4 great pyramids. This symbol of the Villeneuve-Loubet coastline, erected from 1969 to 1993, is now a listed 20th-century Architectural heritage.

In Saint-Paul-de-Vence, a medieval hilltop village surrounded by ramparts, the decor has always been fashioned by the characterful stone. Water, so vital in these sun-filled lands runs from pools to rivulets. During this dreamy walk, you can go from the forecourt of the Chapelle Sainte-Claire, and enjoy a lovely wander through the village, guided by the water’s course. In the beginning, there is the aqueduct, where the water enters the village. And then the wash house on Place du Jeu de Boules which has kept its charm of yesteryear. The fountain on Place du Tilleul, where you can hear crystal-clear water falling on the stone, and where the big fountain symbolizes the beating heart of the village where the market is held.

A moment of grace… This could sum up the fourth stage of our coastal circuit on the Côte d’Azur. It’s best to enjoy it to understand its intensity. The Tour du Cap trail is just a stone’s throw from Nice in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. A coastal trail with a mineral atmosphere, the 1½h walk starts from Chemin de la Carrière (the stone from the quarry was used to build the extension of Port Hercule in Monaco) and takes you to the Passable Beach. The elements have left their mark on the landscape: limestone rocks shaped by the waves on each side of the trail. Change of scenery: you’ll spend the rest of the day in the Jardin Exotique in Èze, a beautiful homage to the cultivation of plants from all over the world on the Côte d’Azur. A heritage from La Belle Époque which has been made possible by the gentle climate of the Mediterranean. Just the place to see a fiery sunset, even in winter, from Fort de la Revère.

Menton and the surrounding area have many coastal walks which invite contemplation and where architecture has embellished nature. Head for the Cap-Martin coastal trail, a 4.7 km hike accessible to all, ideal with the family, from the station in Carnolès to the Roquebrune-Cap-Martin station. Gaze over the bay of Menton, and then the bay of Monaco, breathe deeply and make the most of the moment. Pine trees, forests… the walk is a real breath of fresh air in these woody settings. And also a trip through time. The itinerary is dotted with architectural gems from the Belle Époque: Villa Cypris, Villa Eileen Gray and Le Corbusier’s wooden hut.