The 18 things to do in the Alpes-Maritimes

Visit the Alpes-Maritimes: what are the best things to do and see for a stay on the French Riviera? Follow the guide!

The Alps-Maritimes department concentrates the best of the French Riviera, an alliance of incredible landscapes, legendary seaside cities and an exceptional climate.

On the sea side, the coastline offers charming beaches and coves, an intense blue Mediterranean and renowned artistic cities. On the land side, visit the Alpes-Maritimes calls to discover the hinterland at the edge of the villages perched and the large natural spaces of the Southern Alps. The diversity of things to do is such that there is always something to discover, even after many stays.

Also, to help you build your program, we have selected 18 places not to be missed!

1. Old Nice

Visiting the Alpes-Maritimes requires to spend at least half a day in the Old Nice. Located in the lower part of Nice, on the edge of the Promenade des Anglais, the old town has kept its Italian charm, with its ochre and red buildings, its Persian, its churches and sunny squares.

Start by strolling through the Saleya market, before you sit down on the terrace to enjoy the atmosphere, then walk through the narrow streets in search of small fountains and hidden places. On the way, stop tasting socca, speciality niçoise based on chick peas flour. Then take the direction of the seaside and the pebble beach, before climbing the steps leading to the Castle. From above, the view of the Baie des Anges is breathtaking.

2. Cannes

La Croisette, the Festival de Cannes, the Tapis Rouge... Visiting the Alpes-Maritimes is also plunging into the mythical places of the French Riviera, that of luxury cars, jet-set and cinema.

Take a look at the Croisette, raise your head to admire the facades of hotel palaces, crowd the famous marches and put your deniers at the Casino... Here you are transported in the Cannes of strass and glitter! But if the city has linked its name to the seventh art since 1946, its more traditional aspects are not to neglect. Far from the paparazzis, a Provencal and singing city offers you in the Suquet district, along the docks of the Old Port of Cannes or the Forville market.

3. The Lérins Islands

In front of the bay of Cannes, a few minutes by boat, the Lérins Islands consists of two jewels combining natural beauty and historical heritage.

The largest of the two islands, Sainte-Marguerite, owes its name to the sister of Honorat, the hermit who founded the abbey on the neighbouring island. We walk through a forest of pines and eucalyptus. A royal fort houses the Museum of the Sea, which you can visit. Saint-Honorat Island belongs to the monks of the Abbey of Lérins.

Less wild than its neighbour, it has historical monuments: the tour-monastery; Two chapels dating from 1886 and two Napoleonian calves from 1908. Curiosity of the island, eight hectares of vineyards are cultivated by twenty monks living in the Abbey of Lérins. Every first Friday of the month, a guided tour of the vineyards is organized.

4. Saint-Paul-de-Vence

A few kilometers from the sea, this village perched is one of the must-sees in the Alpes-Maritimes.

The charm of Saint-Paul-de-Vence is not only its exceptional location between sea and mountains, but also its cultural and artistic wealth. Medieval remains are the art galleries. Thus, by sweeping along the ramparts, the square tower of the Esperon or the dungeon of the castle, one quickly arrives at the Maeght Foundation. The cultural centre, which is the main place of artistic life, houses works of internationally renowned artists such as Chagall, Giacometti, Kandinsky, or Miró.

A tip: come on Wednesday to enjoy local products from the peasant market located in the place of the ball game. An authentic Provencal atmosphere awaits you!

5. Gourdon

Among the typical villages to be seen when you visit the Alps-Maritimes, Gourdon is uncontournable. This golden eagle nest at the end of a rocky eagle, houses many treasures. The road to get there is the detour itself. Indeed, the Loup Gorges by which you pass are dominated by high cliffs of 700 meters. Vertiginous!

Gourdon consists of a small maze of alleys where you admire well preserved old houses. The visit continues by the castle and its gardens designed by Le Nôtre, before finishing with the tour of the craft shops and a small glass on the terrace to admire the splendid panorama.

6. Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

Cap Ferrat contains a unique treasure on the French Riviera: Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. This sumptuous Italian Renaissance palace was built between 1905 and 1912. Different apartments of inspiration, patios, rich lounges decorated with unique masterpieces... The esthetics and amateur·s of beautiful materials will be at the angels.

The collection includes Porcelaines de Meissein, 18th century tapestries, Fragonard paintings. On the outside, the flowery aisles lead to nine beautiful gardens. On seven hectares, we walk between cascades, pools and romantic kiosks. All is ideally located by the sea.

7. Matisse Museum

Amatrices et amateurs d’art, vous demander que faire dans les Alpes-Maritimes ? The department has attracted many famous painters: Picasso, Léger, Chagall... and Matisse. The famous author of the works with cut-out papers is the subject of an important collection retracing his artistic journey.

The Matisse Museum is located in the gardens of Cimiez Hill in Nice. This is where Matisse spent the last years of his life. He presents his first painting, Still life with books (1890) than his last compositions, as Flowers and fruits (1953). There are also sculptures, drawings, and objects that belonged to him.

8. Grasse

Located in height, the world-famous city for its perfumes enjoys a magnificent view of the plain and the sea in the distance. Her flower fields used to tap the surrounding hills. Today, it is in museums and perfumeries that we find all the tradition of famous perfumers. But this is not his only asset.

This “City of Art and History » It is worth walking through its alleys, lifting the head to the colorful and historical facades. A market is held three times a week (Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday) on Place aux Aires and its arcades. An excellent opportunity to enjoy the popular atmosphere of the neighborhood, before continuing to the Fragonard signs – factory, perfume shops and textile clothing shops.

9. Biot

Biot charms by its historical heart, rebuilt in the 15th century. Its vaults, fortified doors, engraved stones and pebble mosaics testify to the rich past of the village once held by the Templars and the Knights of Malta. But Biot is above all a city of art trades, the first among which are the master glassmakers. The blown glass is here the specialty. Workshops, galleries and shops are open to the public. Ceramists, ferronniers, joailliers, maroquiniers, painters, also expose their creations. Undeniably, Biot did not steal his label of “City and Art Trades” obtained in 1997.

Many museums complete the visit, including the one dedicated to the artist Fernand Léger , the Verre Ecomusée, the International Gallery of the Glass and the Bonsai Arboretum.

10. Beach of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin

Want to visit the Alpes-Maritimes off the beaten paths? So make the stale on the most frequented beaches of Cannes or Juan-les-Pins, and take the direction of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin. By car or train, the journey to the seaside is already magical.

Arrived at the small train station of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin (where you can also park your vehicle), walk 200 meters to the sea... Here you are at the Blue Gulf beach. Unless you prefer the Buse, his neighbor. Both are nestled in two small years away from mass tourism. The sea is a turquoise worthy of the Caribbean. From your towel you can admire the hills overlooking this little paradise. Always from the train station, an easy path also allows you to take a tour of Cape Martin. Above the steep rocks, it runs along hidden villas and offers very beautiful views.

11. Auron Station

Do you like winter sports and wonder where to ski? Less than 1:30 am from Nice, Auron Station is a real village resort. At 1,600 metres above sea level and at the gates of Mercantour National Park , you can enjoy the places, summer and winter.

The activities of full nature are indeed numerous in all seasons. No less than 46 tracks, including 10 blacks, 16 reds, 17 blues and 3 greens make up the ski resort. In summer, place at mountain biking, golf, hiking and horse riding, climbing... Auron is an ideal place to take a large bowl of family air in the Southern Alps. Ideal for visiting the Alpes-Maritimes!

12. Eleven

Are you still looking for the most beautiful villages to visit in the Alpes-Maritimes? Eleven must be in your selection!

On the programme: paved streets, old houses, cactus gardens and colorful flowers, and above all, one of the most beautiful views on the French Riviera! From the Exotic Garden located on the ruins of the medieval castle, the Mediterranean opens in front of you, the sun shines its Azur blue... From the blue everywhere, the glitter of the sun on the water... photo lovers and contemplatives will delight themselves from the light on the horizon and on the old stone at the end of the day.

13. Vieil Antibes

Since its creation by the Greeks, the city of Antibes has experienced a rich history, which one feels through the old walls and alleys of the Old Antibes. Along the ramparts facing the Mediterranean, in the Provençal market, at the port Vauban: this medieval town is on foot! Each square in the old town deserves to take a break at a terrace, before taking back the path of art museums and galleries.

A tip: take the time to discover the Free Commune of Safranier. Created in the heart of the Old Antibes in 1966, its aim is to perpetuate the traditions of its inhabitants through local festivals and events. Here more than elsewhere, the facades are colourful, flowery and charming squares.

14. Gorges du Cians

The Cians is a small alpine stream that flows into the Var, after having feared a 25-kilometre acrobatic path in the middle of the Mercantour red shale. The erosion caused by the Cians has shaped a magnificent landscape of steep gorges, descending to 1,600 metres. These amazing natural sculptures can be discovered at different levels on foot, ensuring downstream of the tunnels.

15. Mercantour Park

How to visit the Alpes-Maritimes otherwise? Discovering his hinterland! Far from the tourist coast, the Parc du Mercantour is a vast playground for hikers and outdoor lovers. The site offers remarkable trails, punctuated with perched villages.

In this vast protected area, you can admire endemic plant species and many animals, such as chamois or marmots. Several outdoor activities are possible in the six valleys of Mercantour: canyoning, rafting, climbing, hiking... In the summer, it is the ideal place to get away from the crowd that sits on the beaches and find peace.

16. Coaraze

At 650 meters above sea level, not far from the Mercantour National Park, Coaraze is one of the most beautiful French villages » . About 30 minutes from Nice, you can enjoy its exceptional sunshine and its pretty steep alleys.

The village is medieval, which explains its maze of paved streets, arched passages, stone houses. The artists also left their mark, like Jean Cocteau or Ponce de Léon who signed the sundials of Coaraze. From the place of the Church, the panorama on the mountains deserves a contemplative pause. Several buildings also deserve your attention, such as the Blue Chapel, decorated with frescoes of Ponce de Léon, or the Saint-Sébastien Chapel located on the old muletier road that once connected the town to Nice.

17. Menton

Back on the coastline, close to the border with Italy. Menton, the city of sun and lemons, is an invitation to holidays. Its long walk with terraces of coffee and restaurants facing the sea, its pebble beaches, its lemon festival, its Mediterranean gardens, its ancient centre... Menton is the Dolce Vita in Italian all year!

18. A boat ride

Visiting the Alps-Maritimes is also enjoying its coastline. Indeed, very nice excursions are to be made by boat. This can be the perfect opportunity to visit the must-see cities mentioned above, most of which are housed on the coast.

It would be a shame not to take advantage of it renting a boat , and thus miss the Azur waters of the eponymous coast.

How to get to the Alps-Maritimes?

By train

Each large metropolitan area has a train station with connections to many cities in France. So it is very easy to arrive by train Nice, Cannes or Antibes .

Regional express trains (TER) then allow you to connect the small towns of the coast and interior, such as Grasse or Biot. The railway line that overlooks the coast from Saint-Raphaël in the Var, to Vintimille in Italy , is absolutely beautiful. It also allows you to visit the Alpes-Maritimes via its many places of interest.

By plane

L’ Nice-Côte d’Azur airport is the third in France in terms of attendance, with more than 14 million passengers each year. As much as you will find many companies serving the destination from France and abroad, including low-costs.

If you are looking for the best price, do not hesitate to visit an online comparison such as Ulysses . You will see different options depending on your stay dates. From the airport, several bus lines take you to major cities such as Antibes or Cannes.

To reach the city, you can opt for the tram that leads you to the center of Nice. It is possible to rent a car from both arrival terminals.

Where to stay in the Alpes-Maritimes?

The Côte d’Azur flagship department welcomes several million tourists each year. Its offer of accommodation is plethoric! Dream Palaces , tourist furnished, seaside hotels, family holiday homes, campsites, Airbnb ... If prices are relatively high, the choice is so vast that you will necessarily find the accommodation that matches you.

At certain times (Festival de Cannes, Grand Prix de Monaco, Carnival de Nice), you will have to book in advance and wait for higher rates. A tip: hotel comparisons online allows you to view the existing offer in a glance. Practical!

So, what do you expect to visit the Alpes-Maritimes?