Alpes-Maritimes: Holiday apartments and holiday homes

The Alpes-Maritimes stretch from the beaches of the Mediterranean to the peaks of Mercantour. For travellers wishing to rent a holiday apartment, here is an overview of the area’s landscapes, cultural sites, trails and towns.

Nature

The core area of the Parc du Mercantour covers 679 km². This means that the geographical scope of the Alpes-Maritimes extends from the Mediterranean coast to the alpine region of Mercantour.

Culture and history

The Mont Bego rock art area contains around 40,000 engravings spread across 4,000 rocks and two valleys. The archaeological zone of the Mont Bego rock engravings has been classified as a Historic Monument since 1989. The Mont Bégo archaeological zone in the municipality of Tende is accessible via several footpaths.

The route from Lac des Mesches to Refuge des Merveilles is estimated to take three hours. The route from Castérino to the Lacs Jumeaux for visits to Fontanalba is estimated to take two hours and 15 minutes. Special protection regulations apply to the Merveilles and Fontanalba area, as it lies within the national park and is listed as a Historic Monument. Visitors to the Vallée des Merveilles must stay on the marked trails.

The Musée des Merveilles is dedicated to the rock art region of the Vallée des Merveilles and Fontanalba. The Route des Forts presents 34 sites stretching from the Mediterranean coasts to the Alpine valleys of Piedmont.

At Molinard, visitors can create a fragrance during a 20-minute Fragrance Bar session or take part in classic and Prestige workshops.

Hiking and winter

Castérino lies at an altitude of 1,550 metres and is a starting point for many hikes in the Parc national du Mercantour. In winter, Castérino is a cross-country skiing area. The Rabuons–Vens loop via Mont Ténibre is a two-day hike.

In the wider mountain area of the Côte d’Azur, activities include alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and zip-lining.

Cuisine

The Routes des saveurs highlight lemons, honey, beer, wine, cheese and olives as products of the Alpes-Maritimes. The Routes des saveurs suggest routes to southern produce between the sea and the mountains.

Olive de Nice has been protected under AOP designation since 2001. Artisans in Tourrettes-sur-Loup make syrups, jams and candied flowers from violets and roses.

Activities

In the wider Côte d’Azur area, La Méditerranée à vélo is part of the EuroVelo 8 network and follows the French Mediterranean coast through Nice.

In the wider coastal area of the Côte d’Azur, activities include snorkelling, scuba diving, freediving, stand-up paddleboarding, sailing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, kayaking, jet skiing, water skiing, parasailing, boat trips and sea fishing.

Other places: Isola, La Bollène-Vésubie, Saorge, Aiglun, Antibes, Aspremont, Beausoleil, Bendejun, Biot, Cabris, Cagnes-Sur-Mer, Cannes, Cap-D'ail, Carros, Châteauneuf-Grasse, Coaraze, Contes, Gattiéres, Grasse, La Colle-Sur-Loup, La Gaude, Le Bar-Sur-Loup, Le Cannet, Le Rouret, Le Tignet, Mandelieu-La-Napoule, Menton, Mouans-Sartoux, Mougins, Nice, Opio, Peymeinade, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, Saint-Antonin, Saint-Cezaire-Sur-Siagne, Saint-Jeannet, Saint-Laurent-Du-Var, Saint-Martin-Du-Var, Saint-Vallier-De-Thiey, Sainte-Agnès, Sospel, Spéracèdes, Théoule-Sur-Mer, Tourette-Sur-Loup, Utelle, Valbonne, Vallauris, Vence, Villefranche-Sur-Mer, Villeneuve-Loubet, Castellar, Berre-Les-Alpes, Cantaron, Chateauneuf-Villevieille, Castagniers, La Roquette-Sur-Var, Marie, Bairols, La Roquette-Sur-Siagne, Saint-Etienne-De-Tinée, Colomars, Cimiez, Drap, Le Cros-D'utelle, Levens, Roquefort Les Pins, Beaulieu-Sur-Mer, Belvedere, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Auron, Pégomas, La Turbie, Èze, La Trinité, Tourrette-Levens, Clans, Saint-André-De-La-Roche, Saint-Auban, Roubion, Saint-Blaise, La Tour, Moulinet, Pierrefeu, L'escarène, Briançonnet, Puget-Théniers, Roure, Peillon, Bézaudun-Les-Alpes, Roquebillière, Tende, Puget-Rostang, Sallagriffon, Séranon, Magagnosc, Saint-Dalmas-Le-Selvage, Andon, Coursegoules, Saint-Martin-Vésubie, Guillaumes, Péone, Saint-Sauveur-Sur-Tinée, Breil-Sur-Roya, Valdeblore, Fontan, Entraunes, Valderoure, Saint-Martin-Dʼentraunes, Lucéram, Courmes, Rimplas, Revest-Les-Roches, Caussols, Gréolières, Beuil, Gorbio, Touët-Sur-Var, Le Mas, La Brigue, Châteauneuf-D'entraunes, Gilette, Castillon, Roquesteron, Saint-Paul-De-Vence, Sauze, Cipières, Le Broc, Caille, Bouyon, Peille, Lantosque, Tournefort, Malaussène, Les Ferres, Rigaud, Cuébris, La Penne, Massoins.

To the higher-level travel overview: Provence-Alpes-Côte D'azur.