Remarkable gardens in Côte d'Azur

Your stay kicks off in style: Menton’s particularly mild climate has endowed the town with exceptional gardens, three of which are holders of the “Remarkable Gardens” label. Designed by Lawrence Johnston, La Serre de la Madone harbours rare species from Asia, Africa and the Americas, showcased around pools and stone staircases. The Val Rahmeh Botanical Garden also boasts a vast collection of exotic and subtropical plants, including palms, banana trees and tropical varieties, set against the backdrop of the Med. Citrus fruit take centre stage at the Citronneraie du Mas Flofaro, with lemon trees, orange trees and heritage varieties paying homage to Menton’s agricultural heritage. Fragrant paths and evergreen foliage create a lush landscape, where botany blends seamlessly with the light and contours of the coast.

The route out of Menton hugs the coastline before ascending to the panoramic coast road leading to the hilltop village of Èze. There, you will discover an exotic garden set amid the ruins of an ancient fortress. Succulents, cacti and aloe from the world’s most arid climes flourish in this sun-drenched, windswept location, gazing out over the sea. On your walk, you’ll come across several contemporary sculptures dotted around the garden, as well as spectacular viewpoints atop narrow stone staircases, each unveiling a new angle on the coast. Unlike the neighbouring tropical gardens, the vegetation here is sober and structured, with rock and sunlight taking centre stage in a setting that is both simple and striking, suspended between sea and sky.

Heading back down to sea level, you will come to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. Overlooking the sea, this pretty pink villa is surrounded by nine gardens on the themes of France, Spain, Florence, Japan and exotic climes, each swathed in its own special atmosphere and plant varieties. Here, neat pathways, ponds and pergolas form a stunning stage for the Mediterranean and tropical beauties on show. From the terrace, the view embraces the bay of Villefranche-sur-Mer on one side and bay of Beaulieu-sur-Mer on the other. After the stark, rocky terrain of Èze, this site is an ode to the art of landscape gardening and tribute to the families who have shaped Riviera’s history. As the day draws to an end, your route continues peacefully along the shores to tonight’s place of stay in Antibes.

Mandelieu-la-Napoule is located about twenty kilometres down the coast from Antibes. Set right at the water’s edge, Château de la Napoule is an ancient fortress restored in the early 20th century, home to superb grounds. Palms, cypresses, flowerbeds and manicured lawns gazing over the Med form a harmonious ensemble, where ancient architecture and lush vegetation live side by side in perfect harmony, dotted with sculptures recalling the site’s artistic vocation. Crossing low walls, staircases, sea-facing terraces and shaded paths, the walk alternates breathtaking views and secret little nooks where Mediterranean exuberance and ornamental touches join hands to form a simple, balanced and beautifully-curated ensemble. Afterwards, your route continues to Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer, in the heart of the Maures hills.

The must-do Domaine du Rayol offers a genuine whirlwind tour of Mediterranean climes the world over. Designed by landscape architect Gilles Clément, the gardens of the Jardin des Méditerranées are inspired by California, Chile, Australia, South Africa and, of course, the Mediterranean basin. The plants are showcased naturally, marrying beautifully with the site’s topography and environment. Shaded paths, terraces and sea views invite visitors to enjoy a leisurely stroll redolent with sweet scents of garrigue, and linger longer to appreciate the many hardy varieties on show, perfectly adapted to dry, sunny and windy Mediterranean conditions. Following on from the more manicured gardens of the previous days, Domaine du Rayol switches the focus to ecology and learning, before you head to Hyères for the evening.

The Jardin du Castel Sainte-Claire in Hyères pans out in terraces above the town. A former property of Edith Wharton, it harbours a stunning collection of cacti and exotic varieties in a shaded setting, with gorgeous views over the rooftops, sea and Golden Islands. Next, it’s time to head to the Madrague quarter in the far western corner of Giens peninsula to discover the Château Noir botanical garden and its vast collection of palm trees and rare plants from regions around the world. Here, a firework display of foliage and plant silhouettes forms a lavish and contrasted landscape. Sometimes hundreds of years old, the various specimens offer a moving testimony to the local horticultural legacy and passionate botanists who have dedicated their lives to cultivating exotic plants on the shores of the Var area.

On Day 7, you’ll be leaving the coast behind and heading for the hills of the Grasse area, where gardens take on a more intimate allure. The Jardin de la Mouissonne – a private estate open to the public – boasts a fabulous variety of Mediterranean and exotic varieties that have grown to love their new home in the hills of Grasse. Terraces and pathways crisscross this sloping terrain, offering gorgeous views over the surrounding countryside. The Jardin de la Villa Fort France, perched above the town, harbours a wealth of tropical, subtropical and succulent plants, set around an old bastide. And as we are in the world’s perfume capital, you’ll of course come across many fragrant flower varieties including heirloom roses and mimosa, redolent with scents of the South of France.

To wind up your tour, you will be returning to Nice, home to several proud holders of the “Remarkable Garden” label. Located on the Promenade des Anglais, facing the Bay of Angels, Villa Masséna offers a captivating display of palm trees, lush green lawns and Belle Époque architecture, in an elegant and refined seaside setting. Perched on the heights, the Nice botanical garden, complete with educational trails, showcases a series of collections dedicated to Mediterranean plants from the world over, set against a stunning Mediterranean backdrop. Last but not least, the Parc Phoenix is a vast, landscaped park accessible to all, dotted with tropical greenhouses, lakes and exotic tree and plant varieties. After your voyage across the coast and hinterland, this last day of the tour captures the Côte d’Azur’s botanical and maritime beauty to perfection.