Overview
This walking in Provence, Vence to Menton itinerary is a five day foray into some of the region’s most divine natural and cultural heritage. It’s a quick dip into Provence’s prettiest of perched villages, a speedy but leisurely immersion into its Mediterranean marvels, and a delicious hit of Alpes-Maritimes mountains. Starting in the artistic town of Vence, north of Nice, and finishing in the idyllic Med town of Menton, this walking holiday is easy on the eye, relatively easy as a trail (with options for more challenging ones), and exquisite on so many levels, including the traditional hotels and guesthouses that you stay at en route. It’s also accessible by rail.
- Vence
- Sainte-Agnès
- Saint-Paul-de-Vence
- Tourrettes-sur-Loup
- Castellar
- Menton
Day 1: Arrive in Vence
Arrive in Vence and explore its rich heritage, with narrow streets, historic stone buildings and squares adorned with ornate fountains. We recommend visiting Cathedral of the Nativity of Saint Mary and Chapelle du Rosaire, both showcasing distinctive artistry and history. Explore the markets on Tuesdays and Fridays, unwind at local cafés, or venture into Sine Woods for a scenic walk.
- Accommodation: L’Auberge des Seigneurs or similar in Vence
- Upgraded 3* accommodation: La Maison du Frêne or similar in Vence
- Upgraded 4* accommodation: Hôtel Le Cantemerle Restaurant & Spa or similar in Vence
Day 2: Walking trails around Vence | 4.5/12km
There are three options for today’s walk:
- Option one (easy): Vence – Saint-Paul-de-Vence and bus back to Vence (bus ticket not included). Starting in the historic centre of Vence, head out of town for a gentle stroll through Sine Woods. From here the route alternates between forested path and paved road onfairly flat terrain. Take in the view of Saint-Paul-de-Vence and visit a series of small chapels on approach.
- Option two (moderate): Vence – Tourrettes-sur-Loup and 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 Sine Woods, before finishing in the village.
- Option three (challenging): Vence – Baous des Blancs – Baous des Noirs – Vence. A challenging hike for experienced hikers but all worth the effort as the views from Baous des Noirs (tall, steep hills with flat tops) are outstanding, spreading from the snow-covered peaks of the Alps to the Mediterranean.
- Walking for the day: 4.5km ↑95m ↓240m (option one), 8km ↑320m ↓280m (option two),12km ↑↓712m (option three)
- Accommodation: L’Auberge des Seigneurs or similar in Vence
- Upgraded 3* accommodation: La Maison du Frêne or similar in Vence
- Upgraded 4* accommodation: Hôtel Le Cantemerle Restaurant & Spa or similar in Vence
Day 3: Sainte-Agnès – Cime de Baudon | 15km
Following breakfast, you are transferred (1h) to the perched village of Sainte-Agnès. From there, begin a hike to Bausson Pass via a winding mountain road offering expansive views of the Mediterranean and Alpine landscapes. Cime de Baudon’s summit boasts panoramic vistas of Sainte-Baume and distant Alpine peaks. After the hike, return to the village for an overnight stay in a family-run auberge.
- Walking for the day: 15km, 4h 20mins, ↑600m ↓600m
- Accommodation: Auberge St Yves or similar in Sainte-Agnès
Day 4: Sainte Agnès – Menton | 14km
Descend from Sainte-Agnès to the village of Castellar, a ridge-top village offering breathtaking views on both sides. Stroll through its streets before continuing along an ancient path that leads down stone steps to Menton. Renowned for its colourful houses, Old Town streets and promenade, it’s well worth spending an extra day here, so that you can head up to Basilique Saint-Michel-Archange, or wander down Plage des Sablettes or explore its museums and parks.
- Walking for the day: 14km, 4h 30mins,↑250m ↓950m
- Accommodation: Hotel Lemon or similar in Menton
- Upgraded 3* accommodation: Hotel Le Dauphin or similar in Menton
- Upgraded 4* accommodation: Hôtel Prince de Galles or similar in Menton
Day 5: Departure
Departure after breakfast or extend your stay.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of mostly small, locally-owned Hotels, B&Bs and an auberge. 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.
Click to view standard hotels
- L’Auberge des Seigneurs (Vence)
- Auberge St Yves (Sainte-Agnès)
- Hotel Lemon (Menton)
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 3* hotels
- La Maison du Frêne (Vence)
- Hotel Le Dauphin (Menton)
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 4* hotels
- Hôtel Le Cantemerle Restaurant & Spa (Vence)
- Hôtel Prince de Galles (Menton)
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
Breakfast is included each day. When no restaurant location is available en route, lunches and snacks should either be bought from local shops or you can pre-order a packed lunch at your hotel. Dinner is available at your accommodation or from restaurants in the local area.
Difficulty and terrain
This tour is rated easy-moderate and is suitable for regular walkers with a reasonable level of fitness. The trails are very well maintained, with daily distances ranging from four to 15km, on average one to four hours of walking day (read more about difficulty grades).
We will provide you with detailed route notes and maps and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed information on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available year-round. The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates and you can start your trip on any date during the season.
The best time to visit Vence, Saint-Agnès and Menton is spring (April-May) and autumn (September-November) for mild weather, blooming landscapes and ideal hiking conditions. Summer offers sunny days, cooler mountain air in Saint-Agnès and vibrant beaches in Menton. Winter is quieter, with mild Mediterranean weather, perfect for sightseeing and for Menton’s famous Lemon Festival held annually in February and March.
For more information, visit our blog Best time to go to France.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airport for this tour is Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE). Alternative airports are Aéroport Marseille Provence (MRS) and Aéroport Toulon Hyères (TLN).
By train or bus
Arrival:
- If you are able to travel to France without flying, this holiday is reachable by rail with the train stations in Vence and Menton. For more details, see the national rail operator SNCF-Connect or use the Omio planner above.
- From Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, there are bus and tram services to Nice city centre. For more information about buses or trams, visit Lignes d’Azur or use the Omio planner above.
- From Nice, take a train to Cagnes Sur Mer and then a bus to Vence. For more details see Lignes d’Azur, SNCF-Connect or use the Omio planner above.
Departure:
- Regular train services connect Menton with Nice. For more information and tickets, see SNCF-Connect or see the Omio planner above.
- Alternatively, there are also regular bus services from Menton to Nice Côte d’Azur Airport. For more information, visit Zou! or see the Omio planner above.
- From Menton, there are train services to many other major cities in France like Marseille, Toulon or Avignon. For more information and tickets, visit SNCF-Connect or see the Omio planner above.
Inclusions
Included
- 4 nights accommodations with private facilities
- 4 breakfasts
- Transfer from Vence to Sainte-Agnès
- Luggage transfer (one piece per person up to 25kg).
- Digital road book with detailed walking itineraries and maps
- GPX files
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare or any connection land transfers
- Bus from St-Paul-de-Vence or Tourrettes-sur-Loup to Vence
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
- Personal expenses
- Any other item not explicitly listed as included
- 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, 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 in Vence and Menton
- Hotel upgrades in Vence and Menton
- Arrival transfer from Nice Airport to Vence
- Arrival transfer from Cagnes-sur-Mer to Vence
