Préalpes of the French Riviera: the Alps on the sunny side
North-west of Nice, the Préalpes of the French Riviera are a perfect marriage between the mountains and the French Riviera. The landscapes are at the same time grandiose and wild: valleys with cultivated fields, clearings, forests, vertiginous valleys? With more than 2000 plant species, the Park is home to a third of all French flowers and plants, including 40 species found nowhere else. The fauna is exceptional: bird species, reptiles and amphibians (Orsini’s viper, Strinatii’s hydromant…) The Park meets the requirements of outdoor leisure enthusiasts. Hiking is a popular nature activity in the Azure Préalpes. You can also discover the paths of the Park by mountain bike, practice climbing or canyoning or discover the landscapes of the Préalpes during a horse ride… The hilltop villages of the Préalpes are a reminder of a human occupation several thousand years old. During your tourist escapades, you can discover bread ovens, historical milestones, medieval castles, fountains, wells, oratories, churches, chapels… Agropastoralism is perpetuated thanks to the actions of producers driven by passion. The regional markets and village grocery stores will introduce you to local flavors: honey and gingerbread, mountain cheeses, lamb meat, market garden and farm produce, olive oil…
Museums in the Alpes-Maritimes department
The Alpes-Maritimes are famous for their coasts and mountains. What if your stay was cultural? Museums with varied collections welcome visitors. Visit the regional prehistory museum in Menton, the Marc-Chagall national museum in Nice, the Maïoun dei Granouïe in Villeneuve-Loubet, the Bonnard museum in Le Cannet, and many others…
