Splendors of the Nice hinterland on All Saints’ Day
Natural splendors and discoveries in the hinterland of Nice
Looking for a vacation during All Saints’ Day? Why not enjoy the last beautiful days in the south of France! Nice and its region enjoy a privileged climate all year round. It’s possible to swim even in October or early November. But if you prefer a change from the sea, explore the hinterland of Nice. This authentic region awaits visitors with numerous perched villages, rugged and spectacular Mediterranean landscapes, and of course, the scents of Provence. From there, renting a car is ideal for a vacation with complete freedom. Several routes allow you to discover typical villages and wild valleys. Nice is easily accessible by plane. Here are some suggestions.
Paillon and Roya valleys
The first perched villages await visitors less than an hour from Nice. A picturesque road follows the course of the Paillon and winds through its gorges to lead to two exceptional sites: Peillon and Peille. The gorges of the Paillon lead to l’Escarène, from where you can start the ascent of the Col de Braus, then the road winds to the charming little town of Sospel. You can stop there in one of the many hotels and enjoy a walk in the old town with its baroque monuments. This will leave you refreshed for the next day’s exploration of the gorges of Saorge, which you reach at Breil sur Roya. At less than 600m altitude, you might think you’re already in the high mountains. The village of Saorge is a must-see, in its spectacular and wild setting. Travelers with a bit of time can continue to the end of the valley, where the Renaissance frescoes of Notre-Dame des Fontaines await.
The Vésubie
Another interesting option: the Vésubie. The national road towards Saint-Martin du Var leads directly there from Nice airport. The atmosphere changes as soon as you turn into the gorges of the Vésubie and becomes decidedly wild. On the way to the mountain resort of Saint-Martin Vésubie, don’t miss a detour to the perched village of Utelle, from where a narrow road climbs to the sanctuary of the Madonne. From the highest point, you can enjoy a superb circular panorama of the entire region. Saint-Martin Vésubie offers a pleasant place to stay, in a mountain cirque, from where you can organize superb excursions, by 4×4 or on foot, into the Mercantour.
