Winter - Discover the Most Beautiful Sites
The Mont Ventoux
About
This peak in the Vaucluse department rises to 1,910 metres and is 25 kilometres long and 15 kilometres wide. It is known as the "Giant of Provence" because it can be seen from a hundred kilometres away. Its essentially limestone nature explains its white colour. Well known to sportsmen, especially cyclists, Mont Ventoux is regularly a key stage in the Tour de France. From its summit, the landscape is mineral and lunar and the view is exceptional. On a clear day, you can see the Mediterranean Sea.
Why should you visit?
For its landscapes of rare beauty and because it is a remarkable natural site, classified as a "biosphere reserve" by Unesco. More than 3,000 hectares are in fact protected in order to preserve the remarkable species and habitats. Its altitudinal amplitude, the diversity of its environments and the variety of its climatic conditions offer an exceptional fauna and flora. The Ventoux is home to deer, roe deer, mouflons, chamois, wild boar and wolves. More than 20 species of bats, 14 reptiles, 8 amphibians, 2,500 insects (1,425 species of butterflies) and numerous fish also inhabit the area. 950 species of plants have been recorded, both from the Mediterranean climate at the foot of the Ventoux and from the polar climate of the Arctic at the top of the Ventoux.
Things to do
Skiing: two resorts are accessible in winter on the Mont Ventoux
- the Mont-Serein resort, at 1,400 metres altitude, on the north face, offers beautiful vertical drops, 12 kilometres of runs for all levels, 8 ski lifts, and a grandiose panorama.
- The Ventoux Sud ski resort at Chalet Reynard, at an altitude of 1,440 metres, offers 7 kilometres of downhill skiing and 30 kilometres of cross-country skiing.
A snowshoeing trip:
The Mont-Serein resort offers 3 marked snowshoeing routes. For families, there is an introductory route lasting 45 minutes to 1 hour or a discovery route lasting 1.5 to 2 hours. For beginners, there is another route of 3 hours to 3 hours 30 minutes. You can call on a guide if necessary: Pierre Peyret: 06 08 00 76 30 or lescheminsdepierre.fr.
More Information
There are several sites to find out about possible activities on Mont Ventoux and the surrounding area: baronnies-tourisme.com, ventouxprovence.fr and stationdumontserein.com.
The Lérins Islands
About
700 metres from Cannes, the Lérins Islands form an archipelago made up of two large islands, Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat, each accompanied by an uninhabited islet, la Tradelière and Saint-Ferréol, and an enormous rock called the islet. This archipelago offers an idyllic setting and a complete change of scenery, far from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Sainte-Marguerite
The largest of the islands is a real green lung with its 152 hectares of state forest where you can find trees such as eucalyptus and Aleppo pine. It extends over 3 kilometres and is an ideal destination for a quiet weekend. It has a bird sanctuary, the Etang du Batéguier, which is well worth a visit, 22 kilometres of hiking trails and numerous coves. The island is also home to the Fort Royal, a former state prison that housed one of the most famous prisoners in history: the Man in the Iron Mask. The oldest part of the fort is now occupied by the Musée de la Mer.
Saint-Honorat
Smaller than Sainte-Marguerite, Saint-Honorat, 1,460 metres long and 400 metres wide, is a real haven of peace. Its particularity is that it belongs to a monastic community that has been living there for more than fifteen centuries in its monastery. The island is occupied by about twenty Cistercian monks who produce wine, liqueurs and olive oil, to be tasted on the spot. A visit to Saint-Honorat is a real break.
Why should you visit?
Because these islands are a real jewel of the French Riviera and should not be missed under any circumstances! They offer grandiose landscapes to contemplate in a timeless atmosphere just a few minutes from Cannes. Because they are home to an exceptional wildlife heritage with 24 animal species, including squirrels, cuckoos, foxes, pheasants, owls, kestrels, hedgehogs, dolphins, rays and moray eels. Both islands are covered with Aleppo pines and holm oaks. The maquis has a very rich flora: lentisks, myrtles, white and pink rockroses, honeysuckle, olive trees, clematis, etc. A real paradise!
To get to the Lérins Islands. From the Laubeuf quay in Cannes, many companies offer tickets. The crossing takes 15 to 20 minutes and offers a sumptuous panorama of the bay.
Things to do
Sainte-Marguerite
A hike: on this island where there are no roads, vehicles or even bicycles, walking allows you to reconnect with nature and recharge your batteries. About twenty kilometres of paths await you! Follow the signs, there are some at every crossroads! You can also walk around the island, covering about ten kilometres.
The site randoxygene.departement06 proposes a very interesting and shorter walking circuit, 4.5 kilometres, to discover Sainte-Marguerite.
Saint-Honorat
A day of vineyards and wines: to discover the 8 hectares of vineyards on the island. This day is organised by the monks of Lérins Abbey. Every first Friday of the month, this package includes a return ticket from Cannes to the island, a visit to the vineyard and a tasting of the Saint Pierre and Saint Honorat vintages. Reservation: cannes-ilesdelerins.com.
More Information
To know everything about the islands of Lérins, here is a very instructive PDF, in 4 languages (French, English, Italian and German): cannes-destination.fr/uploads/Lerins-Cannes_2013.pdf).
The Garlaban Massif
About
To the north of Marseille, overlooking the town of Aubagne, the Garlaban is a limestone massif with a surface area of 8,000 hectares, culminating at an altitude of 714 metres and offering a magnificent 360-degree panorama! This massif is known throughout the world thanks to Marcel Pagnol, a native of Aubagne, who wrote books evoking his childhood in the Garlaban hills and filmed mythical movies there. It is also a hiker's paradise, a stone's throw from Marseille!
Why should you visit?
Because this massif is emblematic of deep Provence. And because the estate offers an enchanting setting for walks or hikes in the hills with fabulous views of the sea in the background! The massif has a rich fauna: wild boar, more than a hundred species of rare birds, including the falcon, the warbler, the partridge, the great horned owl, the chaffinch, the nightingale and the tawny owl. As for the flora, we find the species typical of the garrigue because the massif is covered with it: thyme, rosemary, juniper, immortelle, rosehips, and even wild asparagus. The Garlaban used to be a vast forest, but numerous fires have destroyed it. Today, there are still some Aleppo pines and oaks.
Things to do
A donkey ride: for an hour or half a day, this is an opportunity to discover the massif in the company of a donkey, which will delight the children. Information: www.tourisme-paysdaubagne.fr.
A night hike: once a month, at the time of the full moon, the French Alpine Club Garlaban en Provence organises a night hike, a pretext for a convivial moment with a stop in a sheepfold to share an aperitif and a meal. Information and reservations: 06 59 19 83 34 and cafgarlabanenprovence.ffcam.fr.
A Nordic walk: a dynamic way to discover the Garlaban. The Station Nordik Walk pays d'Aubagne offers ten or so routes, to enjoy the sun in the middle of winter. Information: www.tourisme-paysdaubagne.fr.
More Information
To find out everything you need to know about the Garlaban and the activities to do in the Aubagne region, the website www.tourisme-paysdaubagne.fr is a mine of information.
The Mercantour Park
About
One hour from the Côte d'Azur, in the Alpes-Maritimes and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, the Mercantour, one of France's eleven national parks, extends over 1801 square kilometres. It is one of the wildest and most varied in terms of landscape. The summit of Gélas culminates at an altitude of 3143 metres. The park extends over 6 valleys, each more sublime than the last: Verdon, Var-Cians, Ubaye, Tinée, Vésubie and Roya-Bévéra. In winter, the snowy peaks make it a magical place to recharge your batteries.
Why should you visit?
Because the nature is exceptional! To discover varied landscapes and be sure to meet animals. More than 150 species are present here, including high altitude birds such as the partridge, the white-winged snowfinch, the black grouse, the rock ptarmigan, the golden eagle, the peregrine falcon, the griffon vulture and the bearded vulture, the largest bird in Europe with a wingspan of 2.70 metres. Ibex, chamois and marmots can be counted in tens of thousands, and it doesn't take long to spot a few. More discreet, the mouflon, the ermine and the grey wolf are also in the vicinity. The flora is not to be outdone, as there are 2,000 species of plants, 40 of which are endemic.
Things to do
A snowshoe hike: to discover some of the most beautiful sites of the park under the snow, the site Randonnées Balades en raquettes à neige-Mercantour Alpes Maritimes is the specialist best able to inform and accompany you. It proposes several circuits. When winter comes, the snow covers the park with its thick immaculate coat. The Guides des Merveilles then put on their snowshoes and can of course take you on a tour of this site, which takes on a different, equally mysterious and enchanting aspect in winter. Information: randonnee-raquettes-mercantour.com.
Ski touring: discover a state of mind similar to that of hiking, ski touring, an activity that allows you to discover the park in complete serenity. The guidescapade.com website offers several day trips for all levels.
More Information
The mercantour-parcnational.fr website gives all the information about the park and all the possible activities during your stay.
