Category Archives: French Riviera

French Riviera Carnaval Season Brings the Promise of Spring

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After mid-winter celebrations in Provence, life returned to “normal” on the French Riviera after the annual festivities in Nice and Menton wrapped up on March 3rd. In Nice, the 151st Carnaval de Nice celebrated the “King of Pop Culture” with floats, flower parades, music, and street performances. This year’s Olympics were the theme for the 90th Fête du Citron® in Menton.

Some of our other favourite coastal destinations, Antibes, Cannes, St Jean Cap Ferrata, and Villefranche, are popular all year, even if the water is a little cool for swimming in March. The town of Vence, a short drive from Nice, has a pedestrian-friendly old centre that is well worth visiting.

Continue reading here to learn more about what’s happening on the French Riviera at this time of the year.

If you are contemplating a trip to the South of France, here is our Vistor’s Guide to the Alpes Maritimes.

Hiking Trails in the Estérels, French Riviera

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Estérels French Riviera

Located in southeastern France, the Estérel coastal mountain range straddles both the Var and Alpes-Maritimes departments. Of volcanic origins, the massif is roughly 32,000 hectares of rugged terrain awaiting exploration. Mont Vinaigre is the highest peak at 618 metres. According to the Estérel Côte d’Azur tourism office, there are 72 trails for biking (road, gravel and mountain), hiking, and walking that crisscross the range, including many within the protected Forêt domaniale de l’Estérel. We highlight here a few of the popular trails. From the coastline Sentier du littoral (previously the customs footpath) to the forested hills of the Pay de Fayence there are many hikes in the Estérels for all ability levels.

French Riviera Hiking in the Estérels

Les Gorges du Blavet ©Estérel Côte d’Azur

French Riviera Hiking in the Estérels

Sentier du littoral ©Estérel Côte d’Azur