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Petit Futé Guide

Discover the best addresses throughout the Nice Côte d'Azur metropolitan area.

Whether for a night or a week, enjoy a unique experience in the heart of Nice or in the villages of the middle country: activities, restaurants, accommodation and Base Camps (friendly places where you can have fun, eat and enjoy as a companion) during the event - find out all you need to know here!

Auron and the surrounding area

Auron/St Etienne de Tinée

A real crossroad of the Mercantour National Park, Saint-Etienne-de-Tinée is authentic and cultural, surrounded by mountains of more than 3000 meteres altitude. The village offers a wide range of colours and an astonishing heritage with pastel coloured walls, fountains, sundial, chapels, frescos and museums. The ski station of Auron is located 7 km away.

Isola

Isola is a picturesque Mediaeval village located 870m above sea level at the confluence of the Tinée River and Castiglione stream, offering calm and serenity. Its historic heritage and local culture make it the pride of its inhabitants. Its many painted trompe-l’oeil façades have been repainted in blue, pink and yellow. Just 15km from the village, the ski resort of Isola 2000, built in the early 1970s, offers a skiing area of 120km as well as many summer activities: fishing, miniature golf, swimming pool, hiking, mountain bike etc…The resort is open all year for a holiday full of emotion.

Roubion and the surrounding area

Rimplas

A small village built in tiers on a mountain ridge, with a vertiginous view of the Tinée Valley on one side and Val de Blore on the other, Rimplas features lovely little Mediaeval streets in the middle of which runs a rivulet, mysterious covered passageways, paved steps and splendid façades of pinked stone or decorated with painted false marble trompe-l’oeil.

Roubion

Roubion’s five hamlets are scattered amid meadows and forest between 1,335 and 1,920m above sea level. The fortified village clings proudly to a cliff overlooking the valley from its ramparts. Its Mediaeval style, steep narrow streets and many old vaulted passageways lead to a breath-taking viewpoint. Located on the Route des Grandes Alpes, Roubion also has a small alpine ski resort (30km of ski runs).

Roure

Facing due South, Roure enjoys an appealing climate, protected from the prevailing winds. The houses, built of purple stone with their agro-pastoral architecture, are characteristic of the valley. Roure’s Marcel Kroenlein Arboretum features mountain plants from all over the world, collections of conifers, maple, juniper, houseleek, etc. It is the only high-altitude linked to Art.

Saint Sauveur sur Tinée

Huddled on a loop in the Tinée River, Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tinée offers an enchanting atmosphere: steep narrow streets, lovely round fountain, large covered wash house and, further on, a Baroque church with a painted façade and tall Romanesque church tower (15th c.), as well as carved stone lintels (16th c.), an old bread oven and an flour mill.

Valdebore

In the Mercantour National Park, Valdeblore is a pastoral community made up of several mountain villages over 1,000m above sea level: La Bolline, La Roche, Saint-Dalmas, as well as the hamlet of Mollières (1,600m above sea level) and La Colmiane ski resort. La Colmiane offers many activities for families: summer toboggan, tree climbing, miniature golf, riding school, paragliding, trampoline, farm visits, hiking with pack donkeys, swinming pool, mountain bike, rock climbing, and via ferrata, as well as 30 kilometres of ski runs in winter

Nice and the surrounding area

Drap

Ideally situated at the entrance to the Paillon Valley and a few kilometres from the Mediterranean coast, the commune of Drap is worth a visit. The charm of the banks of the Paillon, the Provençal facades, the 18th century bell tower and the village square will be revealed to the visitor. The town has a wealth of heritage for the curious, a live performance space and a cultural centre devoted to exhibitions for culture lovers, and offers a wide choice of entertainment all year round.

Eze

Èze stretches on all three Corniche roads. At the top, the Grande Corniche runs through La Revère Nature Park. Below, on the Basse Corniche, Èze Bord-de-Mer is a small seaside resort with BelleÉpoque villas. Between them, on the Moyenne Corniche, perched on a rocky promontory, the Mediaeval village is the main tourist attraction with shops, craftsmen, hotels and gourmet restaurants (with Michelin stars). At its highest point, an exotic garden in the Mediaeval castle ruins offers a breath-taking panorama all the way to Saint-Tropez.

La Trinité

Built along the Paillon valley, this small town is located just a few kilometres from Nice. Nearby, Notre-Dame de Laghet is the most remarkable monument in its territory, built in the 17th century following several miracles reported in the vicinity. Today, it is one of the most popular sanctuaries in France, drawing pilgrims from all countries.

La Turbie

Overlooking the Principality of Monaco at an altitude of 1.150m, like a balcony over the Mediterranean sea, the small town of La Turbie seems to float in the azur blue, dominated by its enormous Trophée d'Auguste (35 metres high !) The medieval village is historically located on a strategically important passage. The events in the past have left impressive testimonials : at the foot of the Trophée, the medieval village with the picturesque cobbled street and beautiful stonehouses.

Nice

As a city that is both authentic and modern, Nice offers countless attractions: urban, cultural, seaside or gastronomic discoveries for a stay rich in excitement authentic and modern. With its international airport, nearly 200 hotels, seafront and 7km of beaches, a wide range of activities, major events and ,cultural festivals, the city-centre and its countless shops, Nice has it all! The city has a strong commitment to sustainable development and environmental protection in all areas. Nice, its city centre included on the UNESCO World Heritage list under the title «Nice, Riviera winter resort city ! On 27 July 2021, UNESCO recognised the Outstanding Universal Value of Nice’s architectural, landscape and urban heritage, and in particular of the vast 522-hectare urban ensemble, an eminent example of the fusion of international cultural influences, shaped from the middle of the 18th century to the middle of the 20th century by the cosmopolitan winter resort.

Saint Jean Cap Ferrat

Calm, luxury and voluptuousness’: these words ideally describe this cape near Nice and Villefranche-sur-Mer. The old fishing village became a holiday haven in the early 20th century, with the arrival of wealthy foreign families, who built vast estates, like Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. Many artists chose to stay there: Jean Cocteau decorated Villa Santo Sospir. An 8km coastal footpath offers exceptional panoramas. Beaches and creeks are an invitation to relax, while a wide range of water sports make it ideal for sportier stays.

Villefranche sur mer

A maritime town on a privileged site, Villefranche-sur-Mer is one of the main ports on the Côte d’Azur, a major stopover for cruise ships. It picturesque little fishing port is also home to a flotilla of yachts and pointus (traditional fishing boats). With the majestic curve of its shoreline, its 16th-century Citadel and colourful façades, Villefranche-sur-Mer also became a favourite venue for painters and artists.

Menton and the surrounding area

Castellar

Perched on a rock overlooking Menton and the bay of Garavan, Castellar offers a unique viewpoint. If its alleys and chapels attract visitors in the medieval city, the paths offer the hikers amazing panoramic views. Fief of the Lascaris-Vintimille family, the village has for a long time known the throes of history, giving it a strong character. The yellow-orange walls, the voulted passages, the palace of baroque style, the fountains and wash-houses from the XIXth century will definitely charm you. Welcome to this small territory close to the border.

Menton

Located in the very south-east part of France, close to the italian border, Menton is a city of gardens, a marine town and a seaside resort. Menton has been rewarded 5 times the 1st price in the 'Competition of cities and villages in Bloom'. The exceptional sunshine and the almost subtropical climat makes it possible to grow orangetrees, lemontrees, palmtrees and mimosas, its numerous gardens are created with talent and will enchant you. The 2 marinas, the old port and the seafront are all reasons to enjoy the pleasures if the sea and the gentle lifestyle all year round. The old town is well worth a visit with its beautiful ancient walls, and an atmosphere from yesteryear.

Sainte Agnès

A belevedere on the Mediterranean perched at an altitude of almost 800 m, ancient defense post at the French-Italian border on the Maginot line, has for a long time been a saught-after miltary site. Today, the village offers the visitors looking for authenticity, cobbled streets, impressive views of the Côte d'Azur and a sunny climate. Sainte Agnès is the highest coastal village in Europe.

Levens and the surrounding area

Levens

An old fortified Mediaeval village perched on a rocky spur 600m above sea level, Levens can be visited by following the sloping streets lined with houses built in local stone, under porches and covered passageways. Near the village, the Grand Pré de Levens, is a large open meadow, a privileged place for relaxation with its 13 hectares of greenery: events are scheduled there year round, including Fête du Cheval (a horse show) in July.

Tourrette-Levens

Do you feel like strolling in picturesque alleys just a few kilometers from Nice? Discovering a castle or enjoy a beautiful panoramic view between the sea and the mountains in a preserved nature ? With family or friends, come to Tourrette-Levens to discover its charm and surprises… The village has been able to maintain part of its castle of medieval origins, which is rare in the region. A rare treat ! Even though it has been modified as time has passed, you can admire a stunning panorama of the Baie des Anges, after an ascent by foot. The paved street leading up to the castle, the picturesque stone houses and the charming bell tower of the Chapelle des Pénitents blancs will quickly make you forget the effort, we promise you…

Utelle

Perched on a ridge at the confluence of the Var and Vésubie rivers at the top of a steep slope with olive trees, Utelle offers a fine Mediaeval complex. Along the narrow stepped streets, visitors can discover old stone houses, decorated portals and fountains and ogival arches, etc. A trail in the village leads to a panoramic view on the peaks of the Upper Vésubie.