The Hikes

The heart of our trip is hiking, designed for nature enthusiasts eager to immerse themselves in the stunning landscapes of Provence. Over the course of four days, you'll explore winding trails that lead you through thick green forests and fragrant wild lavender fields. These hikes take you off the beaten path into the wilderness, offering a truly unique and undiscovered experience surrounded by nothing but nature's beauty.

We will be completing 3 of the 4 hikes below with a final shorter walk on the last day from the villa. Our hikes can be demanding and require a moderate - high level of fitness. You can expect to trek for 4 to 6 hours on most days and if we complete the Cheiron Mountain trek this will be for an 8 hour duration. Depending on the hike, expect altitude gains up to a maximum altitude of 1700 metres and some steep descents. Prior hiking experience is recommended to fully enjoy and safely navigate these trails.

Our journey will take us through two distinct types of landscapes:

The Alpine Region: Located in the Var and Alpes Maritimes departments to the north, this area offers rugged terrain with breathtaking mountain views. You'll traverse alpine meadows, rocky landscapes, and high-altitude forests, encountering a diverse range of flora and fauna.

The Hilly Vineyard Region: To the south, you'll explore the Var region's unique red rock formations and picturesque vineyards. This area is known for its rolling hills and vibrant landscapes, providing a striking contrast to the alpine scenery.

For detailed information on each hike, please see information below. Below are some images showcasing the trails, landscapes, and views you can expect to encounter on our adventures.

Join us for an unforgettable journey through Provence's most beautiful and remote landscapes. Whether you're an experienced hiker looking for a new challenge or a nature lover seeking an immersive experience, our hikes offer something truly special.

  • Cheiron Mountain Ridge

  • Cheiron Mountain

  • Bauroux Mountain

  • Gorges du Blavet

  • View of Lachens Mountain

  • Gorges du Blavet Trail

  • Local Scenery in the Morning

  • Cheiron Mountain Ridge

  • Trail on Bauroux Mountain Trek

  • At the top of Lachens Mountain

  • Views of old village ruins on Bauroux Mountain Trek

  • Views of Sea from Gorges du Blavet Trek

  • Wild Lavender Fields on Lachens Mountain Trek

  • Bauroux Mountain Summit

  • Pine Forest near Cheiron Mountain Trek

  • Rock Formations on Gorges du Blavet Hike

  • Lunch Spot from Lachens Mountain Trek

  • Wild Lavender Fields

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Hiking Routes

  • Reaching an altitude of 1715 meters, Mont Lachens is the highest point in the Var department. From the summit, you can witness an extraordinary landscape with views extending to the Sainte-Baume massif to the west, the Mercantour massif to the east, and the sparkling blue Mediterranean Sea to the south.

    Our hike begins on the northern slope of the mountain, taking us through a dense and beautiful pine forest. If you're lucky and it's the right time of year, you might find mini wild strawberries along the trail. We continue through the vibrant green forest along steep, winding paths until we reach a road crossing point, offering fantastic views stretching miles to the west.

    As we enter new terrain, you'll see wild lavender everywhere, accompanied by happy bees and a mix of rock and grass. We continue ambling up through fields to the next viewpoint, offering spectacular 360-degree views. Not far away is the peak of Mount Lachens, the highest in the Var department, where we'll find a spot for lunch and enjoy the breathtaking scenery.

    After lunch, we'll make our way back down via a different route, taking us to the south slope where the vegetation is more sparse. We'll circle around the east side of the mountain, with one more short climb to the final viewpoint before the last leg back to the car.

  • The Blavet River, originating in the hills of the Var, has carved its way through impressive masses of red volcanic rock. The force of the water has shaped a unique and beautiful landscape. Rich in iron, the cliffs and needles composed of volcanic porphyry oxidize and take on a beautiful golden-red hue. These jagged edges rise into the sky. Slowly sculpted by water and wind, the rocks form strange and intriguing shapes. Caves and grottoes of varying sizes and depths have also been created by the elements.

    The vegetation, a mix of forests and groves, covers the valley floor, climbs the slopes, and clings to the cliffs. It displays many shades of green, from the lightest to the darkest, from the palest to the most intense. Blue dominates the sky and the horizon. The sun reigns supreme here, gracing this unique natural work almost daily.

    Our hike begins with a walk through the forest alongside the river, leading to large and beautiful red rock formations. We will pass the Grotte du Mueron, a cave inhabited during the Bronze Age, featuring a large entrance and remarkable ceiling height. Here, you can find traces of our ancestors dating back to 12,000 BC. Shortly after the cave, we encounter a short yet steep trail section that takes us to our first viewpoint, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscapes and the glistening Mediterranean Sea.

    We then cross a road and start our trek through the quiet and peaceful hills and forests of this region. After a couple of hours of walking, we arrive at a stunning viewpoint where we will have lunch. From here, you can see perched hilltop villages in the distance and the surrounding landscapes. After lunch, we backtrack briefly before taking a winding trail path back towards the car.

  • This beautiful hike is located in the Parc des Préalpes d'Azur, starting from the village of Séranon on the border between the Var and the Alpes Maritimes. It offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and landscapes, and runs along the famous RD 6085, also known as “route Napoléon”, named after the emperor who stopped at the Château de Brondet in 1815.

    Stretching from east to west and dominating the surrounding synclines, the Bauroux mountain has served as a refuge from the Neolithic age until more recent times (Middle Ages).

    We begin our hike from Séranon, heading west along the foot of the mountain. Our climb takes us to the historic Vieux-Séranon, where ruins of the old fortified village from the 12th-13th centuries are still visible. As we ascend, we enjoy fantastic views of the surrounding scenery.

    The trail leads us through the woods on the north slope to the summit of Bauroux (1644 m), which offers a superb 360° view of the region. Here, you can take in the panoramic vistas of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

    We will enjoy our packed lunch at the summit, savouring the breathtaking views and the fresh mountain air.

    After lunch, we begin our descent around the east side of the ridge. At the bottom, the trail takes us through a small village called Caille, where you can appreciate the local charm and tranquility.

    We continue our descent, eventually making our way back to the car, reflecting on the day's adventure and the stunning landscapes we have explored.

    Join us on this memorable hike through the Parc des Préalpes d'Azur, where history and nature combine to create an unforgettable experience.

  • The Cheiron Mountain, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department within the Castellane Prealps, offers an extraordinary hiking experience. Its main summit, the peak of Cheiron, rises to 1,778 meters above sea level. Other notable peaks include Jerusalem (1,768 m), the summit of Viériou (1,395 m), and Coutellade (1,322 m).

    Breathe in the pure mountain air on the heights of Gréolières with this extraordinary hike crossing the mountain passes of Cheiron in the Préalpes d’Azur Regional Nature Reserve. This limestone mount, topped with ragged peaks, forms a spectacular separation between the Estéron and Loup basins. The hiking trail to "La Cime du Cheiron" leads to the highest summit of the Préalpes d’Azur, offering breathtaking vistas over the Côte d’Azur, from Cap Camarat to Saint-Tropez, Mont Agel in Monaco, and the dreamy Lérins islands. To the north, admire the summits lining the Italian border, from Menton to Haute Tinée. Further west, the Arc de Castellane and the Tanneron mountains signal the imminent arrival of Provence. On clear days, you can even glimpse the mountains of Corsica off the coast of the Mediterranean.

    We start our hike in the charming village of Gréolières, making our way past the old castle ruins as we begin our ascent. The initial part of the trail takes us along a trail, gradually increasing in elevation. As we climb higher, the landscape transitions to a mix of forest and an abundance of wild lavender fields.

    We reach a scenic viewpoint, perfect for a short break to catch our breath and take in the stunning scenery. From here, you can see the Estéron and Loup basins, with the peaks of Cheiron and Jerusalem in the distance. We'll continue along the ridge, encountering diverse flora and fauna unique to this limestone environment.

    Our trail leads us to the summit of Cheiron, standing at 1,778 meters.

    We'll find a picturesque spot near the summit to enjoy our well deserved snack, with the most incredible views.

    After a snack, we continue along the ridge to the Jerusalem Mountain peak and continue making our way gradually down the mountain where we will find a nice spot for lunch.

    Our hike concludes back in Gréolières. The descent offers final glimpses of the breathtaking landscapes we traversed, making for a memorable end to a spectacular hike.