The 10 essential things to do in the back country

From Nice? Take the time to visit the Niçois hinterland, which is full of medieval villages and breathtaking landscapes!

Between the sea and the mountain, far from the strass of the French Riviera, the Niçois hinterland deserves a break during the day or a few days.

Explore the small hilly perched villages, walk in the footsteps of Henri Matisse or Marc Chagall, explore the steep paths of the Mercantour National Park in the face of crystalline lakes or discover the bright colours of the Niçois Colorado.

Whether you’re athletic, contemplative or art lovers, you will not regret your stay in the Niçois hinterland. Here are our 10 must-see places to visit in the Niçois hinterland.

1. Vence

If you come to get a getaway in the Niçois hinterland, Vence is a must-see. Along the picturesque paved streets, you will fall on medieval houses, arcades, fountains, squares. Don’t hesitate to push the door of the galleries to meet the artists and their creations: painters, sculptors, ceramists...

This village inspired many painters as Henri Matisse who designed the famous Chapel of the Rosary, also known as the Chapel Matisse. In the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de la Nativité, it is a mosaic of Marc Chagall representing Moise saved from the waters that you can contemplate.

For modern and contemporary art lovers, a visit to the museum in the Château de Villeneuve is required. Don’t miss admiring one of the world’s oldest ass that would have been planted in 1538 by François I.

Finally, Vence is very well located. By choosing one holiday rental in Vence , you offer a central position in the Niçois hinterland, as well as an authentic setting.

2. Grasse

Considered as the world perfume capital since the 17th century, Grasse has seen the birth of mythical fragrances. To discover this beautiful colorful city called “City of Art and History”, walk through its typical streets and take the time to admire the pastel facades, the Place aux Aires with its fountain and its arcades.

Climb to the square tower of Sarrasin stone, the ancient tower of the Guet de Grasse, 30 meters high, from which you will have a panorama over the old city. Become an expert of perfume by visiting one of the historic perfumeries, Fragonard, Molinard or Galimard and participating in an olfactory workshop where you can create your own fragrance.

Finally, finish with a must to close your visit to Grasse: the International Perfume Museum. The latter retraces 4,000 years of history.

3. Saint-Paul-de-Vence

Perched at the top of a green hill, Saint-Paul-de-Vence is an ideal destination if you love art and history. Many artists, painters, poets and writers drew inspiration from this picturesque city: Picasso, Braque, Modigliani, Matisse, Miro, Chagall, but also Prévert and Giono.

The village also owes its reputation to the actors who have stayed there. This is the case of Simone Signoret and Yves Montand who met in 1949 at the Colombe d’Or and married in the village a year and a half later.

Let yourself be charmed by its paved alleys, its arcades, its fountains, its many art galleries. Art lovers will also not miss the visit of the Chapel Folon or Chapel of the White Penitents, as well as the Maeght Foundation which brings together one of the most important European collections of works of the twentieth century.

Attention: If you plan to visit Saint-Paul-de-Vence in the full tourist season, you will not be alone. Indeed, the village attracts about two million visitors every year!

4. Tourrettes-sur-Loup

This medieval city, established on a rocky grove, deserves its place among the most beautiful places to visit in the Niçois hinterland. Known as the "Cité des Violettes", Tourrettes-sur-Loup cultivates this delicate flower for more than a century and a half.

The village is animated every year in March on the occasion of the Feast of Violette. Pending the next edition that will take place in 2022, let yourself be surprised by the perfume of a violet ice cream. Then, stroll through the alleys lined with flowers, a horn by hand, to admire the arched passages, the old façades and the old houses that house workshops and art galleries.

Also, do not leave without visiting the church of Saint Gregory of the sixteenth century and the castle of Villeneuve and its belfry. From the village, a 5.5 km hike from Domaine des Courmettes will lead you to a 360° point of view between the Mediterranean Sea and the Mercantour mountains.

5. Gourdon

Located 1 hour from Nice, Gourdon is a charming step on the occasion of a stay in the Azurean city. At the top of a cliff of 760 metres above sea level, it offers an exceptional view of the green Loup valley and the Mediterranean coastline.

After strolling through its streets lined with medieval houses in white stone, visit the imposing feudal castle surrounded by gardens designed by Le Nôtre and the Romanesque church of the 12th century.

Attention: You must not confuse this village ranked among the most beautiful in the country with Gourdon in the Lot, which enjoys the label "More Beaux Détours de France".

6. Mercantour National Park

The Mercantour National Park is a must-see for hikers and lovers of large spaces. There are 600 km of hiking trails maintained and marked and 11,000 plant and animal species. At the turn of a trail, you may have the chance to see bouquetins, chamois, marmots, or muflons.

The most athletic will be able to play more extreme sports such as mountain biking, canyoning, water hiking, and via ferrata. The Vallée des Merveilles will take you back to the Prehistory with its 40,000 rock engravings discovered in the nineteenth century.

Finally, in the village of Saint-Martin-Vésubie, nicknamed the “Switzerland Niçoise”, the Alpha park tells the story of man and wolf, returned naturally in 1992. An unforgettable encounter with this mythical predator!

7. Gorges du Daluis

In search of dislocation and strong sensations? Discover the Gorges du Daluis! This site, nicknamed the Colorado Niçois, is a must-see detour in the Niçois hinterland.

These dizzying gorges, with canyons, will delight lovers of live water sports. Water in which they can practice canyoning and rafting.

Also, the road that winds between Guillaumes and Daluis offers striking points of view, as in the Pont de la Mariée, a paradise of the scholars to the elastic, or the clue of Amen. · foot, a trail from the Pont de Berthéou to the Belvédère du Pont Sublime offers a breathtaking view of the cliffs.

After the hike, take a stop at the fortified village of Entrevaux, surmounted by an imposing citadel.

8. Train des Pignes

There is no way to visit the backcountry niçois without climbing into the magnificent Train des Pignes. The railway line connects Dignes les Bains and Nice (3h20 route) through exceptional landscapes, between palm trees, olive trees and mountain landscapes.

If you are tempted by an even more unusual experience, go to the Train des Pignes à vapour, to take back into the charm of the ancient journeys. He will take you to discover the city of Entrevaux and Annot, country of sandstones.

Another tourist train from Nice, the train des Merveilles. The latter borrows the Nice-Tende railway line and crosses grandiose landscapes.

9. Grotte de Saint-Cézaire

Are you filled with breathtaking landscapes and old stones? Dare to embark for an underground journey by visiting the Cave of Saint-Cézaire, one of the most fabulous underground riches of the Côte d’Azur.

At 15 minutes from Grasse, the site offers a guided tour close to 40 meters underground. You will also find several acrobatic paths in the trees, a trail and a course of orientation. An original family outing!

10. Seillans

Ranked among more beautiful French villages Seillans is a small perched village overlooking the plain between the Southern Alps and the Estérel Massif. Its ochre-colored houses, steep streets, rustic pockets and small squares make it a picturesque step.

The village seduced painter-sculptor Max Ernst who finished his life there and whose works can be admired at the Waldberg House. Today, the site houses the Max Ernst Museum and the Stan Appenzeller Donation.

But Seillans is also visiting the backcountry of the medieval era. The feudal castle, the Porte Sarrasine, the 12th century chapel and the 11th century church are excellent testimonies of this time.

How do I go to the Niçois hinterland?

By plane

To visit the Niçois hinterland, you can opt for the plane by landing at the Nice-Côte d’Azur airport, which is the third airport in France.

You will find many companies serving the destination. To find a flight offer at the best price, do not hesitate to use a comparison of flights such as Skyscanner . It is then possible to rent a car to explore the area.

You can also use public transport. However, if the price is affordable, comfort and travel time will be a disadvantage.

By train

The region is well served by the railway network. From the stations of Nice, Grasse, Cagnes sur Mer, but also St Laurent du Var, there are bus connections to the perched villages.

By car

The car is the ideal means of transport to travel the area if you want to follow our guide of things to do and places to visit in the Niçois hinterland. L’ A8 motorway , says the Provencal, dessert Nice. The journey will last about 9h30 from Paris via l A6 , 7h50 from Bordeaux via the A62 and 8 hours from Strasbourg via the A2 .

Where to stay in the Niçois hinterland?

If you visit the Niçois hinterland, you will not miss accommodation solutions. Hotels, holiday houses, holiday houses or unusual accommodations (perched cottages, yurts or "bulbs")... You'll have a choice!

For lovers of rocks and vegetarians, it is best to favor one of the perched villages. The best option is to opt for one vacation rental Evancy in Vence . The village is well located, in addition to offering a holiday setting. Tourrettes-sur-Loup or Gourdon, the eagle nest of the Côte d’Azur, are also good options.

To visit the Mercantour National Park, you can find accommodation in Ascros, Ilonse or Moulinet.

You now know that doing in the back country of Nicaragua. Good visit!