Overview
This eight day, self-guided adventure, walking in Provence: Grasse to Antibes boasts some of the most stupendous, secret trails of this region. With its starting point in Grasse being one of the most famous perfume centres of the world, this whole trip appeals to all the senses. Walk through some of Provence’s prettiest villages including the iconic perched ones of Gourdon and Saint-Paul de Vence. In between you have chestnut forests, olive groves, plateaus or baous with Provençal panoramas, and fine food and wine at every turn. With a perfect finale française at Cap d’Antibes, a true gem of the Côte d’Azur.
- Perched villages of Pays de Grasse
- Grasse
- Vence
- Gourdon
- Saint-Paul de Vence
- Tourrettes-sur-Loup
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Grasse
Grasse is well known for its perfume industry, dating back as early as the 16th century when the people of Grasse began supplying Persian scent-makers with raw materials. Nowadays Grasse is highly regarded for training Les Nez or noses, perfumiers who train to distinguish over 2000 kinds of scent. If you have time, we recommend visiting the International Perfume Museum as well as the cathedral which houses works of art by some of the Old Masters, including Rubens.
- Accommodation: Hotel Elixir or similar
Day 2: Grasse – Pont du Loup | 18km
The walk begins in Grasse, and continues upwards to follow woodland paths, then onto gentler trails with stunning views. There is an option to shorten the walk to 12km with a taxi transfer (pre-booking and supplement payable) or continue further on to catch the local bus (16.5km). Although it’s steep, the climb towards the village of Bar-sur-Loup is rewarded with panoramic views before the descent into the village, ideal for a lunch stop. The day finishes by walking along a forested track to Pont-du-Loup, your base for the next two nights.
- Walking for the day: 18km, ↑760m ↓930m
- Accommodation: Auberge des Gorges du Loup or similar (please note that the restaurant at Auberge Des Gorges du Loop is closed on Sundays and Mondays)
- Shortened route options: Public bus (ticket not included), 16.5km ↑664m ↓944m. Taxi transfer (pre-bookable, supplement required) or 12km ↑430m ↓850m.
Day 3: Pont-du-Loup – Gourdon – Pont-du-Loup | 7km
Today’s walk has two options, either an out and back hike up to the village of Gourdon, or an extended route adding in a short loop around Gourdon, following the Sentier du Paradis. It’s a steep climb but all worth it, taking the time to stop for lunch with views across Gorges du Loup and all the way to the Mediterranean. The extended route adds in a short loop heading above Gourdes before returning down to the village on the same path.
- Walking for the day: 7km, ↑750m ↓750m
- Accommodation: Auberge des Gorges du Loup or similar (please note that the restaurant at Auberge Des Gorges du Loop is closed on Sundays and Mondays)
- Extended route option: Gourdon loop – additional 4km ↑↓210m.
Day 4: Courmes – Vence | 14km
The day starts with a short transfer into the heart of the Gorges du Loup to the hamlet of Courmes. From here, the walk begins with a climb up above the gorge on a steep and winding path with breathtaking views. After arriving at the Plateau Saint-Barnabé, and the hamlet of the same name and the hamlet of the same name, descend to the historic centre of Vence, with inviting sea views as you go.
- Walking for the day: 14km, ↑395m ↓690m
- Accommodation: Auberge des Seigneurs or similar
- Upgraded accommodation: La Maison du Frêne or similar
Day 5: Vence and surrounding areas | 4.5-12km
Today’s walk has three options:
Easy – Vence – Saint-Paul de Vence 4.5km ↑95m ↓240m with bus back to Vence (bus ticket not included)
Starting in the historic centre of Vence, head out of the town for a gentle stroll through the Sine woods. From here the route alternates between forested path and paved road on a fairly flat terrain. Take in the view of Saint-Paul de Vence and admire a series of small chapels on approach.
Moderate – Vence – Tourrettes-sur-Loup 8km ↑320m ↓280m with bus back to Vence (bus ticket not included)
Tourrettes-sur-Loup is a picturesque medieval village backed by a range of hills, and the path between Vence and Tourrettes-sur-Loup goes through the Sine woods, before finishing in the village.
Challenging – Vence – Baous Blancs – Baous Noirs – Vence 12km ↑↓712m
A challenging hike for experienced hikers but all worth the effort as the views from the Baous (tall, steep hills with flat tops) are outstanding, spreading from the snow-covered peaks of the Alps to the Mediterranean.
- Accommodation: Auberge des Seigneurs or similar
- Upgraded accommodation: La Maison du Frêne or similar
Day 6: Vence – Saint-Jeannet | 14km
A short transfer is required to the start of today’s hike. Walking to the village of Saint-Jeannet, today’s varied route takes you past a limestone plateau, a chestnut forest and then descends into Cagne Gorge. This small village is overlooked by the the Baou de Saint-Jeannet, and the Baou de la Gaude just to the right, with the Baou des Noirs and Baou des Blancs lined up to the west towards Vence. Baou is the Provençal word for cliff or rock, making these landscapes perfect for hiking and climbing.
- Walking for the day: 14km, ↑560m ↓740m
- Accommodation: Hotel Avocado or similar
We recommend adding an additional night in Saint-Jeannet to take advantage of a loop hike with some stunning views. Walking distance: 14km, ↑↓850m.
Day 7: Cap Antibes loop walk | 4.5km
Today starts with a 45mins transfer (with luggage) arriving at Cap d’Antibes. The coastal loop hike for today starts at Garoup beach, the favourite beach of F. Scott Fitzgerald. A beautiful and easy coastal walk along a path that is paved in parts and rocky and untamed in others, this is a gentle and gorgeous end to your walking tour. From the end of the walk simply catch the No.2 bus back to the hotel (20mins €1-2 pp) or keep going and hike back to the centre of Antibes to the hotel. Once back in Antibes town take the time to visit the old town and admire the historic port.
- Walking for the day: 4.5km, ↑90m ↓90m
- Accommodation: Le Collier or similar
- Upgraded accommodation: Hotel Royal Antibes or similar
Day 8: Departure
Departure after breakfast.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of small, locally-owned hotels, B&Bs and traditional guesthouses. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms. There is an optional upgrade available for days four, five and seven of this tour.
Click to view default hotels
- Hotel Elixir (Grasse)
- Auberge des Gorges du Loup (Gorges du Loup)
- Auberge des Seigneurs (Vence)
- Hotel Avocado (Saint-Jeannet)
- Le Collier (Antibes)
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Click to view upgraded options
- La Maison du Frêne (Vence)
- Hotel Royal Antibes (Antibes)
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
All breakfasts are included throughout the trip. Lunch packs for the next day can be pre-ordered at each accommodation, or you can buy bread, cheeses and meats as well as fresh fruit and vegetables at local markets. For dinner, you can visit one of the restaurants in the villages or order from the a la carte menu in your accommodation.
Difficulty and terrain
This holiday is appropriate for walkers with a good level of fitness; average walking distance is 8 to 18km per day on marked trails and forest paths with some elevation gains and the occasional scramble to reach certain parts of the itinerary (read more about difficulty grades). We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never try to shorten the path through the unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available starting Mondays – Thursdays from March till mid-November.
The tour is not arranged on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays due to the restaurant of Auberge Gorges du Loup being closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and the lack of another restaurant in the area.
For more information, please see our blog on the Best time to go to France.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended arrival airport for this holiday is Nice. Alternative airports are Toulon and Marseille.
By train or bus
- From Nice airport catch the 650 bus to Grasse (1h) or from Nice centre a 1h10mins train to Grasse.
- If you are able to travel to France without flying, this holiday is reachable by rail with train stations in Grasse and Antibes – For more details, see the national rail operator sncf-connect.com.
Inclusions
Included
- 7 nights accommodation
- 7 breakfasts
- Luggage transfers throughout the trip
- Transfers on days 4, 6 and 7
- Digital pre-departure information with vouchers, roadbook and GPX tracks
- GPX tracks
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Flights and airport transfers
- Lunches and dinners
- Land transfers and other public transport
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses such as snacks, drinks, phone calls, extra transfers, tips, etc.
- Entrance fees for attractions and museums
- Any items not specifically mentioned as ‘included’ in the programme
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers.
- Extra nights
- Hotel upgrade for nights four, five and seven during the tour
