Massif de l'Estérel: three hikes and excursions to do on this dream balcony of the Côte d'Azur

Red rocky peaks speckled with vegetation that suddenly plunge into the big blue, this is the rare and sublime spectacle offered

, between

in the Var and

in the Alpes-Maritimes.

Some 32,000 hectares of unspoiled nature on the Côte d'Azur and breathtaking panoramas that can be savored in various ways.

Follow the leader.

Read alsoFive charming hotels on the Côte d'Azur

Along the Corniche d'Or, by car or two-wheeler

More than a road, the

which winds between the red rock of the Estérel massif and the turquoise seabed of the Mediterranean creeks, is a myth.

And even a movie set!

It is in this enchanting setting that scenes from classic films such as

by Gérard Oury (Ursula's midnight swim at

) or

by Henri Verneuil (Alain Delon who fishes and declaims

in the creeks.)

These landscapes which border the route have also inspired many painters: Louis Valtat, Claude Monet, André Derain… This spectacular road which links Saint-Raphaël to Mandelieu-la-Napoule in about thirty kilometers, was inaugurated in 1903. the origin of its creation: the Touring Club de France, whose vocation was to develop tourism.

Its president at the time, Abel Ballif, fell in love with the place, even had his residence built there.

After being integrated into National 7 from 1904 to 1937, this route is now a departmental road.

• Our advice: look up

Its attendance remains moderate, even in summer.

It retains a relatively wild charm that has become precious on the

.

Inhaling the scent of pine trees mixed with spray, you can savor it by car, motorbike or even by bike, crossing here and there belvederes inviting you to take a break, and luxurious residences clinging to the ocher rocks.

Among them, the majestic villa on the tip of

which hosted Laurel and Hardy in the 1950s, for the filming of the film

K.

Read alsoThe Riviera from cap to cap, hiking in the footsteps of customs officers

From beaches to creeks, the Corniche d'Or by land or by sea

A swim in a creek, a must when traveling through the Estérel.

Esterel Côte d'Azur

A dozen beaches and coves nestled in the hollow of the red rocks mark out the route of the Corniche d'Or.

It is reached by stairs starting from the road to land sometimes a little abruptly very close to the waves.

The Estérel-coloured pebbles, the submerged rocks serving as diving boards or slides for young and old, the clear bottoms suitable for snorkeling, and the dazzling panoramas make it all the charm.

Starting from the

, in the Var, towards those of

and Mandelieu-la-Napoule in the Alpes-Maritimes, we first cross the three small coves of the

(steep access, parking along the road).

Then follow the beautiful

;

the

(dive site, the old ones being fish);

that of

(under the viaduct of the same name, one of the largest and the only one covered with sand, shower, car park).

The route continues with the

adjoining a beautiful retaining structure for the railway (shower, a hundred steps), then that of

(parking, view of the bay of Canes, easy access).

Then move on to

which appeals to naturists, then a new creek, that

(rich in vegetation and quite large, but with steep access).

Finally, the creeks of

follow one another (bus stop, easy access, parking, small but full of charm).

You end the route on the narrow

before the

(sand and pebbles.)

• Our advice: choose your sea excursion wisely

You can absolutely discover these treasures from the sea, ideally at the end of the day, when the ocher of the rock blazes under the warm rays of the setting sun.

Different types of excursions are offered, notably departing from Saint-Raphaël/Agay, but also from Mandelieu/Théoule.

For non-stop mini observation cruises, choose Les Bateaux de Saint-Raphaël (1h15, €25, bateausaintraphael.com, tel.: +33 (0)4 94 95 17 46) or La Compagnie Maritime Napouloise (€23 , 1h15, compagnie-maritime-napouloise.com).

For more fun trips aboard semi-rigid boats, with the discovery of secret beaches, swimming breaks or even aperitifs, head to Taksea (2h30, €50, taksea.fr, tel.: 04 94 175 234) or Sea U Sun (2h45, from €40, tel.: +33 (0)7 55 67 06 09, sea-u-sun.fr).

Read alsoThe islands of Hyères: Porquerolles and Port-Cros, our travel guide

Discover the Estérel from above, on foot or by bike

The panorama from the rock of Saint-Barthélémy.

Esterel Côte d'Azur

Last option, the discovery of the Estérel massif from the interior, to admire its natural wealth as well as the formidable viewpoints it offers on the sea and the Riviera coast.

You will inevitably be seduced by this atypical and volcanic territory born 250 million years ago.

A small piece of Africa separated from its continent of origin during the formation of the Mediterranean and of which nearly half of the area is classified as a “Natura 2000” zone to preserve its biodiversity.

The massif is even in the process of being classified as a “Grand Site de France”.

To explore it, there are a large number of tracks and trails, offering walks and hikes for all levels, as well as bicycle and mountain bike circuits, classic or electric.

Among the essential hiking routes offering breathtaking panoramas,

This easy and family walk of about 2 hours on equipped tracks will make you discover a point of view on the island of Gold which would have inspired Hergé for his album of Tintin

- which would also be the case of the Vieux -Castle of the island of Yeu

View of the Ile d'Or, at the foot of the Dramont massif, in the Var.

lukaszimilena - stock.adobe.com

You can also opt for a one-hour walk to the

or the ascent to

with its 360° panorama and orientation table, with a possible detour to at

where the hermit Saint-Honorat lived.

On the mountain bike side, the choice is also vast.

For example, you can take the circuit that was designed for the 2016 edition of the Raider Cap Esterel and relive this race at your own pace, in which the greatest cross-country mountain bike champions took part!

All itineraries on foot or by bike are listed and detailed on the website circuits.esterel-cotedazur.com

• Our advice: opt for a guided tour

If you prefer to be guided or accompanied, the Estérel has no shortage of options either, such as these exciting excursions aboard a minibus with commentary by an ONF forest ranger, culminating in a tasting of local products.

Or these guided aperitif hikes at sunset.

Without forgetting excursions by electric mountain bike, buggy, trail initiations...

Climbing enthusiasts can also flirt with the void along certain walls or by experimenting with the dizzying but family -friendly

just above the sea, at Dramont.

All the offers of activities and equipment rentals are grouped together on the internet portal experiencecotedazur.com

Practical advice

Red rocky peaks speckled with vegetation which suddenly plunge into the deep blue: this is the grandiose beauty of the Estérel massif.

Esterel Côte d'Azur

GO

By plane

, choose Nice Côte d'Azur airport, which is about 30 minutes by car from Mandelieu-la-Napoule and about 50 minutes from Saint-Raphaël.

By the A8 motorway

, exit n°38: Saint-Raphaël, exit n°39: Les Adrets de l'Estérel or exit n°40: Mandelieu centre.

By train

, 20 TGVs stop at Saint-Raphaël Valescure station daily all year round.

WHEN TO GO?

Sun and mild climate are there almost all year round.

Prefer spring and autumn or even winter for nature walks and hikes.

In summer, the massifs are sometimes closed due to the risk of fires, and the heat can be suffocating.

It's time to enjoy the creeks and boat trips.

OR SLEEP ?

Hôtel Club Port La Galère

An establishment combining luxury and Provençal charm, clinging to the Corniche d'Or, in the heart of a secure domain.

Seventeen rooms offering breathtaking views of the Mediterranean, the bay of Cannes and the Lérins Islands.

Outdoor swimming pool, table tennis, tennis, sauna hammam, restaurants on site.

Hotel Club Port La Galere.

From €110 per night in a double room.

Port la Galère, 06590 Théoule-sur-Mer.

Tel: + 33 (4) 93 75 40 43.

GOOD ADDRESSES

Bistronomic and panoramic restaurant

67, boulevard de la Corniche d'Or, 06590 Théoule-sur-Mer.

Phone.

: 06 75 70 95 65.

Private beach and restaurant

avenue du Trayas, 06590 Théoule-sur-Mer.

Phone.

: 04 92 92 93 54.

La Fourmi mini

-market (only shop between Théoule-sur-Mer and Agay), Le Trayas, route des Calanques, Tel: 04 94 44 15 50. Open: mornings 7 days a week, from March 15 to December 15.

Tiara Spa by Sothys

.

47 Avenue de Miramar, 06590 Théoule-sur-Mer.

Tel: +33 (0)4 93 75 05 05.

MORE INFORMATION

Estérel Côte d'Azur Tourist Office: esterel-cotedazur.com.

Phone.

: 33 04 94 19 10 60

Saint-Raphaël Tourist Office: saint-raphael.com;

Phone.

+33 04 94 19 52 52

Mandelieu-la-Napoule Tourist Office: ot-mandelieu.fr;

Phone.

: + 33 04 93 93 64 64

Tourist Office Théoule-sur-Mer: theoule-sur-mer.org;

Phone.

: +33 04 93 49 28 28.

For hikes and excursions, find out before you leave: in summer, in high heat and the mistral, the massif can be closed for fire risks.

[Published August 3, 2020, this article is being updated.]