Hiking is one of the best ways to discover the sublime landscapes of the Southern Alps. The mountains are transformed, offering panoramas worthy of a Canadian postcard. The larch forests turn red, the gorges and the high passes prepare for winter, the ideal playground to put on your best shoes and get lost along the hiking trails!
You are in a land of stars! Recognized as an “International Dark Sky Reserve”, the “Alpes Azur Mercantour” territory is the perfect place to look up at the starry sky. The exceptional quality of the night sky is not for nothing! Many villages in the Southern Alps have been awarded the label “Villes et villages étoilées” (Starry towns and villages): with little light pollution, you can enjoy the magnificent spectacle offered by the starry sky every evening.
The days are getting shorter, the winter sun is setting in, and it’s time for cocooning evenings! What a pleasure to come home and wrap up under a blanket in front of a TV movie or a good book. That’s what the Alps are all about: comforting, unusual and unique accommodations! A night in a refuge, a cocooning chalet, a luxurious ecolodge, choose the atmosphere that suits you best. But above all, don’t forget your faithful four-legged companions who will always be welcome!
Autumn is the ideal season for new cultural and artistic experiences. Visit the museums of Provence to (re)discover the offbeat and colorful collections of contemporary art. Land of arts and culture, the French Riviera has inspired the greatest painters with its hilly landscapes of the hinterland, its natural, historical and local heritage. As you can see, there is something for everyone!
Take a deep breath along the Mediterranean coast. Take advantage of the beautiful sunny days of autumn to take the paths of the coastline finally deserted once the summer is over. On a cliffside, through the pine forest or with your feet in the sand, enjoy a moment close to the water. Sometimes wild, the Mediterranean attracts surfers as well as nature lovers who come to contemplate the waves crashing on the beaches: a spectacle that one cannot get enough of.
What if fall was the right time to relax? The beginning of the school year is behind you, Christmas is still far away, and the autumn vacations are the perfect time to take a well-deserved break. What if you simply let the warmth of a Nordic bath warm you up and take a dip in a heated pool? With a view on the golden mountains or the beautiful Provence in autumn colors, take this time for yourself!
Whether by the sea or inland, taking a step up is always a good idea. Seen from above, the landscapes of Provence oscillate between steep cliffs and crystalline creeks. The ochre soils, the limestone rocks and the wild vegetation offer a triptych that one cannot do without. On the side of the south alpine landscapes, close to the summits, feel and vibrate to the rhythm of breathtaking landscapes. Vertiginous and grandiose!
Colorful facades, slate roofs, timeless alleys … welcome to the most beautiful villages of France. Autumn is the ideal time to soak up the atmosphere of these villages which during the summer season are overrun by tourists. Sometimes perched, in the heart of preserved landscapes or emerging from a forest with a 360° view, these villages are the pride of Provence, the Alps and the French Riviera. Go for it, with the key, successful instagrammable photos!
The perfect time to go slow. Take a seat on board the small trains of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur for great adventures! Opt for exceptional itineraries and take a tip from a friend: choose the passenger’s seat. Through the window, the Grande Bleue is revealed and the Alpine reliefs make you feel very small. Open your eyes wide, charming villages will take you on a journey of discovery during this extraordinary rail escapade.
Gone are the summer salads, hello hearty and comforting dishes. Autumn means the pleasure of putting your feet under the table and tasting seasonal products such as squash, chestnuts and Sisteron lamb! It is also Halloween and its sweets, the return of cheese and charcuterie boards. As you can see, in the South, gastronomy is not a joke!
