Charming Villages Of Côte D'azur

After your arrival in Nice, it’s time to head to the inland countryside, unveiling a lesser-known yet profoundly Provençal facet of the Côte d’Azur. As you take to the heights, the scenery becomes gentler, dotted with olive trees, cypresses and hilltop villages. Set clinging to a hillside, Fayence promises love at first sight, with its tranquil atmosphere and narrow, history-packed lanes. The food market, held every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday morning throughout the year, lights up the heart of the village with its colourful stalls, irresistible scents of the Med, fairground attractions, craft creations and delicious local produce plunging visitors straight into local lifestyle. A meander to the top of the village allows you to admire the plain and foothills of the Estérel, with sweeping views from the orientation table and clocktower.

Perched on a cliff soaring to 700 metres, Gourdon stands guard over the Loup gorge and unveils one of the region’s most spectacular panoramic vistas, spanning arid rocks and Mediterranean horizons. A proud holder of the “France’s Most Beautiful Villages” label, the village’s remarkably-preserved medieval ramparts, castle and cobbled lanes never fail to charm. The trip back down to Tourrettes-sur-Loup reveals more medieval delights, with crooked old houses, vaulted passageways and the Romanesque church of Saint-Grégoire. Nicknamed the “Town of Violets”, Tourrettes-sur-Loup is renowned for its floral traditions and arts & crafts focusing on the Victoria violet, celebrated every year on the first weekend of March at the Fête des Violettes. In Vence, the Chapelle du Rosaire designed by Henri Matisse is a must-see: its streamlined architecture and intense colours illuminated by stunning natural light promise a profound experience, where art and spirituality meet.

The day begins with a gentle awakening in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, the world-famed artists’ village. Art is an integral part of daily life here and you’ll find it at every twist and turn – just push open the door to the many galleries lining the village lanes. Next, it’s time to head to the coastal village of Èze, seemingly suspended between sea and sky. From the tropical garden at the top of the village, the panoramic view stretches seawards as far as the eye can see, in a minimalist decor dotted with rare plants. Heading further up, you’ll come to the famous Grande Corniche coast road leading to La Turbie and the Trophy of Augustus, a monumental remnant of the Roman era standing guard over the coast. Finally, take a detour to Roquebrune-Cap-Martin to admire the Eileen Gray villa – an icon of modern architecture – before heading on to Sospel.

Tucked away in the heart of Vallée de la Bévéra, at the gateway to Mercantour National Park, Sospel embodies the authentic and preserved beauty of the Côte d’Azur’s inland countryside. The village is crisscrossed with narrow lanes and lined with houses adorned with astonishing trompe-l’œil paintings – genuine frescoes inherited from Italian artists of the past. The iconic Pont-Vieux bridge, with its elegant arches connecting the two banks of the village, is the best place to admire the colourful abodes. Saint Michael’s Cathedral, with its remarkable Baroque architecture and superb interior, stands witness to the religious and historic importance of Sospel over the centuries. Its peaceful atmosphere, barely ruffled by the gentle lapping of the Bevera river, is an invitation to slow down and linger awhile on the terrace, to fully appreciate this moment out of time.

Your last (but not least) day begins in the soothing ambience of Menton, an ode to La Dolce Vita, with its façades painted in sunny southern hues. Here you’ll be enjoying a tour of the town’s remarkable gardens, where exotic trees and Mediterranean plants thrive in the exceptional local microclimate. La Serre de la Madone and Jardin Val Rahmeh promise a refined and soothing stroll. Heading upwards, the village of Sainte-Agnès, one of “France’s Most Beautiful Villages” and officially “Europe’s highest village”, emerges like a balcony suspended over the Med, offering impressive views over the region. From the medieval lanes, steeped in inimitable Provençal charm, the spectacle embraces the Bay of Menton and scintillating horizon, offering a last sweeping memory of the day before heading back down to the coast and Nice.