On Andy and I’s South of France highway journey we spent two nights in Cannes.
Whereas we loved what we noticed of town — primarily its waterfront and the eating places alongside Rue Felix Faure close to our cute studio residence AirBnB — we actually used Cannes as a jumping-off level for day journeys.
Considered one of these was a highway journey wine tasting, mountaineering, and having fun with a sundown swim within the legendary St. Tropez.
This was sooner or later the place we critically packed within the scenic experiences.
Desk of Contents
- South Of France Journey Video
- Wine Tasting In The Var Division
- Seashore Mountaineering
- Impromptu Skinny Dipping
- St. Tropez…Type Of
- Extra Wine
- Previous Village Vistas
- A Sundown Swim
- Bonus South Of France Assets
South Of France Journey Video
Earlier than we dive into our Cannes day journey, I’ve bought a France journey video for you:
Watch it above!
It reveals our highway journey from Good to Marseille, together with Cannes.
Wine Tasting In The Var Division
Our first vacation spot of the day: mountaineering “The Three Capes” (Les Trois Caps) of Cap Lardier, Cap Taillat and Cap Camarat.
We’re almost there, when immediately the small retailers and eateries we’ve been seeing flip into limitless rows of wine grapes.
We cross quite a few vineyards, deciding to cease into Domaine de la Croix for a glass.
This vineyard is great, courting again to 1882 with a whimsical outdated farmhouse and underground wine caves.
A wine tasting crafted from the grapes of their 100 hectares (247 acres) of winery permits us to discover the Var Division — certainly one of six departments of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (PACA) Area — in probably the most scrumptious trend.
And it doesn’t harm that the tasting is free.
There are various vineyards to discover alongside this scenic drive from Cannes to St Croix Valmer
We end our glasses and say “au revoir,” (by the best way, don’t ever depart a spot in France with out greeting with ‘bonjour’ and saying goodbye with ‘au revoir’).
We’re now heading to our unique mountaineering vacation spot from earlier than we bought distracted which, by the best way, occurs always whereas driving the South of France as there’s a lot to cease off and discover.
Seashore Mountaineering
Driving Instructions
It takes about half-hour till we’re parked close to the trailhead at St Michel car parking zone (1 Euro per hour).
Some instructions for these desirous to additionally do that seaside hike:
You’ll be heading to the tip of Plage de Gigaro in St Croix Valmer.
You possibly can enter “Restaurant Le Refuge” into your GPS for particular directions.
Subsequent to the restaurant is the trailhead with a map directing you to the mountaineering path, and a beautiful seaside for these lower than trekking.
Path Instructions
Now from this trailhead there are a lot of choices for finish factors relying how lengthy you need to hike for.
Andy and I observe the indicators for “Les Pins Blans,” which takes us alongside the coast. We traverse up and down rocky stairways, by way of small bunches of shady bushes, previous small coves and seaside pockets, and close to rocky outcroppings the place we cease to take within the view.
Stairs alongside the path
One of many many lovely views whereas mountaineering to Les Trois Caps
Oh, the view.
It by no means leaves us, whether or not we’re drooling over Mediterranean waters dotted with sail boats and yachts, marching by way of pine-scented woodland lush with bushes, or strolling bush-lined paths with glowing bays peeking above.
We get to know the Bay of Cavalaire, the Corniche des Maures and the Îles d’Hyères by way of vistas.
The solar shining down on Andy
My favourite views are towards the start of the hike whereas taking within the water, clouds, seashores and skyline without delay.
It actually helps me achieve a way of the place I’m and the true magnificence the South of France holds.
The path surroundings constantly modifications
Whereas the water to our proper is fascinating, the luxurious woodland to our left, which seems prefer it’s stuffed with odd-looking dragon blood bushes, can be price a gaze.
At one level the seaside path ends and a picket staircase leads us up a picket staircase to ascend an enormous hill — which I consider is named Pin Blanc (white pine) — towards Cap Lardier.
As soon as at the highest we absorb one more view, and are introduced with the selection to proceed to the caps through the Sentier du Littoral path or flip left to go again to the seaside.
Cap Lardier
We select to proceed to Cap Lardier, one other attractive view.
Are we seeing a sample right here?
From the highest of Pin Blanc it’s rather less than a mile for us to achieve the cap, an enormous rocky outcropping jutting out from the mainland.
That is the spot selfies had been made for.
Impromptu Skinny Dipping
From right here proceed on to the opposite caps, every with their very own magnificence to supply, particularly Cap Talliat with its distinctive natural world, together with 80 fowl species.
You possibly can finish (or begin, doing the hike backwards from the above description) at Plage de l’Escalet.
We get pleasure from each second of the journey, particularly the ending: skinny dipping within the Mediterranean!
Sorry, no photos to point out of that, however listed below are our ft earlier than we go in!
Cooling off
Anyway, bucket record merchandise ticked off for this American woman, the place strolling nude alongside a seaside would elicit stares and admittedly perverts snapping pictures for Instagram.
At many seashores within the South of France no person offers a rattling, which is refreshing in additional methods than one (critically, by this level we’re sweating!).
Word:
If you happen to plan on stopping to swim you don’t want a washing go well with (for causes talked about above).
I’d advise bringing sandals although.
On the best way again as soon as on the backside of Pin Blanc you’ll have the ability to make it again in sandals, and it’ll be much less annoying than placing socks in your moist sandy ft.
Just a little yoga alongside the path
Take a look at that daylight!
St. Tropez…Type Of
We head again to the automobile and make our approach to our remaining cease of the day, St Tropez.
It’s a vacation spot for the wealthy and well-known — in addition to the common traveler — placed on the map by actress Brigitte Bardot within the movie And God Created Lady.
Humorous sufficient the preferred “St. Tropez seaside,” the 5-kilometer-long Pampelonne Seashore, is in close by Ramatuelle (about quarter-hour by automobile to the precise St Tropez purchasing space).
As turned the theme on the highway journey, earlier than we arrive on the seaside we’re distracted by an surprising discovery, a stupendous vineyard now we have to cease in.
Wine tasting at Domaine Bertaud Belieu
Extra Wine
This discovery happens alongside the beautiful Boulevard du Normal Patch, which is filled with wineries for these wanting extra.
We cease at Bertaud Belieu in Gassin, additionally a part of the native Var wine area.
What we’re studying vineyard hopping across the South of France is that whereas in New York it’s customary to pay a reasonably penny to do a wine tasting, right here it’s fully free.
I imply, we pattern 10 completely different wines for…$0, although we do purchase two bottles for ~$18 complete to point out our appreciation.
The vineyard is critically gorgeous with limitless rows of rolle (the native white grape of notice) and mouvedre (the native purple grape of notice), and an outdated world architectural really feel.
They’re impartial, too, that means it’s important to go to their vineyard to attempt their scrumptious buzz-inducing creations.
Previous Village Vistas
It additionally helps that it’s close to to the precise village of Gassin, considered one of many oldest villages within the South of France, courting again to 1234.
It’s enchanting with slim cobbled streets, historic monuments, lovely gardens, historic stone and brick buildings, and eating places that includes lovely views (and excessive costs).
View from Gassin
The true cause to cease right here, although, is the view from 200 meters (656 ft) overlooking the Var wine area.
You possibly can see a lot, together with the Golfe de St. Tropez, the Iles d’Or, coastal cities like La Croix Valmer and St. Maxime, the Maures Mountains and the snow-capped Alps.
It’s merely attractive, plus it’s free to park so you actually don’t have anything to lose.
A Sundown Swim
Lastly, we make it to Pampelonne Seashore.
We had been informed that is the place the “lovely folks” go to work on their tans, so we count on a little bit of pretension.
I’m unsure if it’s as a result of it’s 6pm, however there’s none. Simply locals and guests enjoyable, swimming and having fun with the surroundings.
Pampelonne Seashore
Whereas the water is a bit chilly, it’s the primary time we’ve felt actual sand between our toes on the journey, as our earlier vacation spot of Good had rocky seashores.
A man close by strums a guitar, the beachside bars are doing final name and the day’s crowd is dissipating.
We admire a lighthouse and skyscraper-free rural background within the distance earlier than constructing a sand moat, waves lapping up our creation.
Retiring to our towels we lay again and take within the clouds. I’m unsure I’ve ever seen clouds so shapely and white — so shut I can nearly contact them.
At this second I can’t think about a extra lovely place to be having a romantic getaway, providing the proper mixture of views, booze, journey and rest.
Take a look at these Pampelonne Seashore clouds!
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When To Hike: Whereas we hiked in summer time it may be highly regarded and there are typically path closures attributable to the potential of forest fires. Mountaineering outdoors of this time is suggested, although in case you solely have summer time to do it then do it, even in case you can solely full a bit. We liked it, particularly cooling off within the bay after we bought scorching.
Mountaineering Necessities: I stated it above, however I’ll say it once more. Whereas bathing fits are optionally available I’d suggest having some sandals in your bag for the stroll again in case you plan to swim. Additionally convey purchase spray in addition to a top quality but inexpensive mountaineering backpack for underneath $100! Click on right here for a whole seaside packing record.
Seashore Parking: The price is about $5 USD, however after 7pm it’s free.
- Good (with day journeys to Eze for a medieval village, Monaco for a VIP afternoon and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat for the Villa & Jardins Ephrussi de Rothschild)
- Cannes (with day journeys to St. Tropez/Ramatuelle for seashores, Gassin for wine tasting and La Croix Valmer for seashores and mountaineering)
- Moissac Bellevue (we stayed at a woodland set horse farm then had been about 20-minutes from Verdon Gorge)
- Hyeres (the cobbled commune itself is enjoyable to discover, and is close to lovely seashores and is accessible to the untouched Port Cros Island; well worth the journey for this cool fort keep alone!)
- Aix-en-Provence (my private favourite spot of the journey as a result of small quiet metropolis stuffed with facilities and accessibility to lovely Provence farmland; a cheesey rooftop lunch at La Fromagerie Du Passage and a day journey biking outdoors town with Arthur of Secrets and techniques d’ici are musts!)
- Marseille (don’t miss mountaineering within the city Calanques Nationwide Park, which doesn’t really feel city in any respect and is accessible to lovely port cities and seashores)