From Cannes to Menton

The Suquet quarter is the cradle of Cannes, and it celebrates the colours of the South. The yellow, pink or ochre facades of its three or four-storey buildings are lit up with shutters in brighter colours. Seen from the Vieux Port, it looks like a multicoloured painting, one of the most beautiful views of the town. Early in the summer, as you wander along the narrow streets in Le Suquet covered in vegetation, you can see bougainvillaeas in bloom. Every morning (except for Mondays out of season), the Forville market, with its stalls filled with local products and flowers, is rife with smells and colours. Le Suquet is also synonymous with creativity: the former morgue has been rehabbed as a contemporary art space: Le Suquet des Artistes. Your walk will take you to the rich quarter of La Croix des Gardes, the town’s green lung with its decor of cork oaks and eucalyptus. In February, in the bay of Cannes, when the mimosa is in flower, it turns bright yellow. Highlight of the day: the view over the bay of Cannes, the tree-covered Lérins Islands and the orange-ochre of the Estérel.

– To get to Antibes from Nic : TER

Ready for your second day on the Cannes to Menton circuit? Open the door of the Musée Bonnard, entirely dedicated to the painter, a master of modern art who is considered to be one of the greatest colourists of the 20th century. He loved the landscapes of Le Cannet and bought a house on the heights of the town in 1926. After having visited the museum, try the « Sur les pas de Bonnard » walk, which is dotted with reproductions of his works. It will take you along the banks of the Siagne canal, and you can see the tiled red roofs of Le Cannet in the distance. Last stage of the day: the picturesque narrow streets behind Rue Saint-Sauveur where you can see art galleries, crafts boutiques and above all an incredible view over the sea from the well-named Place Bellevue.

– To get to Le Cannet from Cannes: Palmbus network, line 1

Now it’s time to go to Grasse, the world perfume capital. When you visit a perfumery, you will be plunged into a world apart, where fragrances conjure up the flower-filled landscapes of the Côte d’Azur and even the soaps are multicoloured. The historic Fragonard factory and the historic Molinard bastide – you’ll see its impressive red facade – are in the town centre of Grasse. The Galimard factory is more excentrée. All year round in Grasse, you must see the fields of flowers: centifolia rose, jasmine, tuberose, violets, mimosa, lavender… According to your whim. Perhaps you prefer painting? In that case, the Villa Jean-Honoré Fragonard, a bastide which dates back to the late 17th century with its garden will reveal the genius of the painter who was born in Grasse. To end the day, head for the typical village of Peymeinade, just 8 km away. On the programme: a walk past pastel-coloured hoouses, wash houses and colourful sculptures.-

– To get to Grasse from Le Cannet: Sillages network bus 660
– To get to the Galimard from the town centre of Grasse: Sillages network bus 660
– To get to the village of Peymeinade from Grasse: Sillages network bus C

Wake up early to explore the alleyways of the Provencal market on Cours Masséna, in the middle of Antibe’s old town. The beating heart of the town, it is held every day in June, July and August and every day except Monday the rest of the year. In the alleyways, cured meats, cheeses but above all spices, flowers, fruit and vegetables create a bigarée warm atmosphere. From there, head for the flower-filled Le Safranier quarter. Between Rue du bas Castelet and Rue du haut Castelet, oleanders, bougainvilleas and agaves grow serenely, near small picturesque buildings with colourful shutters. Antibes is also the land of multicoloured glass-making, the fruit of the age-old savoir-faire of glassblowers. Drop in on one of them, it’s well worth watching the show. And, last of all, head for the unavoidable Musée Picasso, with its impressive terrace overlooking the sea.

– To get to Antibes from Grasse: TER

Head for the capital of the Côte d’Azur for a new day on the Cannes to Menton circuit. If you’re taking the train the tracks run alongside the deep blue sea and the trip in itself is a lovely escpade. Nice and its light inspired great names of the 20th century. Visit the Musée National Marc Chagall or the Musée Matisse, key stops on this colourful circuit, which will remind you how well these masters of painting enhanced primary and intense colours. From there, head for the flower market on Cours Saleya. Since 1861, it has been famous for its floral compositions, bouquets, plants, or individual flowers under striped awnings and at very attractive prices. The walk continues in the narrow streets of Vieux-Nice, with its ochre tones. And when you start feeling a bit peckish, order a salade niçoise, ratatouille or a pan-bagnat. These specialities of Nice cuisine are delicious and great to look at too. At sunset, sit on one of the famous blue chairs on the Promenade des Anglais, created by the artist Jean-Michel Wilmotte.

– To get to Nice from Antibes: TER

From Nice, the well-named train des Merveilles will take you to Tende, for one of the most beautiful train journeys in the Sud region. Through the windows, you get unique panoramas of the coast and then the valleys of the Mercantour, whose colours change with the seasons. When you are in Tende, a village with an Italian feel, look at the emerald green water of the Roya before walking around its narrow streets. Star of the show: the Collégiale Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption, a baroque building which dates back to tthe 12th century. Once a cathedral its bright red facade and pink belfry are surprising. Later in the day, it‘s back to Nice, on the train des Merveilles, and you’ll see landscapes which are different from the ones seen in the morning.

– To get to Tende from Nice: TER Train des Merveilles (work underway on the line until the end of 2025). Alternative itineraries from Nice-Ville station:
every day: TER to Vintimille and Trenitalia train toTende / Monday to Friday: SNCF bus to Breil-sur-Roya and line 25 bus (Zestbus network)

Back to the coast. In the same way as between Antibes and Nice, the trip from Nice to Menton is a real marvel. Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Èze, Cap d’Ail, Monaco, Roquebrune-Cap Martin… A succession of panoramas over the Mediterranean and the coast,100% sud region moments of grace. Last stage of this circuit, the old town of Menton is impressive with its thousands of warm-coloured facades. Listed as a Remarkable Garden, La Citronneraie is home to lemon trees (the famous Mention lemon has an IGP), olive trees and also grapefruit trees, orange trees or kumquats in a tropical setting. Another option: you can visit the garden Jardin Fontana Rosa. A listed historical monument inspired by the patios of Andalucia, it stands out with its multicoloured structures. Last of all, the covered market of Les Halles, which has been an institution in Menton since the end of the 19th century, is an excellent way of ending this highly coloured circuit. If you want to prolong the trip, slip a box of candied fruit in your bag, to enjoy on your way back to Nice.

– To get to Menton from Nice TER
– To get to La Citronneraie from Menton town centre: Zestbus network line 1 or 15
– To get to Jardin Fontana Rosa from Menton station: TER to Menton Garavan station