The Great Outdoors on the French Riviera

Did you know:

• 2,000 of the 4,200 plant species in France grow indigenously in the Alpes-Maritimes. Of those, 200 are rare varieties, and 30 endemic species
• The sun shines 320 days out of 365
• 80 percent of the area of the Alpes-Maritimes is mountain
• The sea is less than 40 Km from the tallest peak of the region
• Six of the mountain peaks are higher than 3,000 metres
• There is about 1,200 Km of river and stream in the area

There is an endless supply of activities for the adventurous and much useful information available.

Most tourist offices have information brochures in English. Look out for the RandOxygène guides (in French) or call the Conseil Général Alpes-Maritimes.

Several of the Tourist Offices have websites with details on activities in each area.

There are companies that hire out any specific equipment needed for your excursion. See the relevant section of The AngloFILE.

Before you head out to the hills you may want to check the weather.

Note: Many forested areas of the Var region are closed in summer to prevent fire hazard. For up-to-date information on road and park closures: call for a recorded message (in French): Tel: 04 98 10 55 41.

The Mercantour National Park

This nature reserve was established in the northern reaches of the Riviera in 1979. It has an area of 68,000 hectares. The 2 primary functions of the park are the protection of existing rare flora and fauna species and the re-introduction of others.

It provides an eco-tourism experience in a natural environment.

Cars and mountain bikes are prohibited in most parts of the park.

Many guided sports activities take place in the rivers and valleys and on the slopes and rock faces of this park.

• Mercantour Administrative Office, Nice
  Tel: 04 93 16 78 88
  Fax: 04 93 88 79 05
  Website

Hiking in the Alpes-Maritimes

The Conseil Général des Alpes-Maritimes publishes a set guide books, Les Guides Randoxygène, available free at Tourist Offices throughout the region. There are editions for walks in the coastal area (Rando Pays Côtier), inland (Rando Moyen Pays) and the higher hills (Rando Haut Pays). The books have marked maps and descriptions of the walks and details on how to reach the start (in French only). Editions are also available for via ferrata, mountain biking and canyoning. The Conseil Général's website RandOxygène.org has also has hike details (in French). 

Marked hiking routes

The French Hiking and Walking Federation (Fédération Française de la Randonnée Pedestre - FFRP) is the overseeing body for all marked and maintained walking routes in France. It provides information and guide-books (most in French) for walkers in the area.

Six primary hiking paths have been marked and mapped in the mountains of the Alpes-Maritimes. These walks are signposted and have safety information at certain points. Group walks can be arranged or guides hired, or else get the Institut Géographique National (IGN) Top 25 maps which have the routes marked and numbered. Available at bookshops and newsagents (presse) throughout the region.

All nationally recognised trails are categorised as follows:

• GR (Grand Randonnée): Registered hiking trails that often run across the entire country
• GRP (Sentiers de Grande Randonnée de Pays): Registered regional trails that will take you around a particular region for several days
• PR (Sentiers de Promenade): Walking and hiking trails for short circuits, lasting several hours

The French route marking system shows paths by means of signs and blazes. During the summer months, marked paths may be closed for fire hazard. 

• For clear explanations of the waymarks, or blazes (balises): Click here 
• Website Riviera Rambling (in English) has clear route descriptions on local marked hiking trails with personal comment, maps and Google Earth downloads for GPS.

Local hiking organisations

• Comité Départemental de la Randonnée Pédestre
  At: 4 avenue de Verdun, 06800 Cagnes-sur-Mer
  Tel / Fax: 04 93 20 74 73
  e-mail
  Website (in French)
• Comité Départemental de Course d'Orientation
  At: 23, vieux chemin de Gairaut, Le Rubis D, 06100 Nice
  e-mail
  Website (in French)
• See The AngloFILE for Walking, Hiking & Climbing

Mountaineering & Rock-climbing

There are many climbs in the region. The best facilities for mountaineering are in the Mercantour. Rock-climbing faces vary in surface and grade and there is a climb to suit all abilities, particularly in the foothills of the Alpes and the Roya Valley, and the coastal hills for beginners or training.

Professional guides are available and recommended in most areas. They should hold a diploma from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and a qualification from the Mountaineering and Rock-climbing Federation (Fédération Française de la Montagne et de l'Escalade - FFME)

Information (in French) is available on the grade, training options and availability of guides from:

• Comité Départemental de la Montagne et de l'Escalade
  Tel: 04 93 24 98 34
  Website (in French)
• Bureau des Guides de la Bévéra
  Tel / Fax: 04 93 04 07 19

Via Ferrata

For Via Ferrata climbing, a rock face is permanently rigged with rungs and cables. This enhances safety in the climb and makes the sport accessible to the less experienced climber.

The mountains of the Alpes-Maritimes have 8 Via Ferrata climbs with departure points at Puget-Théniers, Auron, La Colmiane, Lantosque, Tende, La Brigue, Peille and La Moulière. The website RandOxygène has details of all the Via Ferrata itineraries in the region.

• To download the Via Ferrata guide: Click here (PDF in French)
• Via Ferrata climbs in France: Click here (in French)

Mountain Biking

There are many routes specifically for Mountain biking (Vélo Tout Terrain - VTT).

Rando VTT has routes, regulations and practical tips. It is available in English from Tourist Offices or from the Conseil Général des Alpes-Maritimes.

VTT France has information on mountain bike routes throughout France. The website lists events, clubs and mountain biking itineraries.

• For information on mountain biking routes in the Alpes-Maritimes: Click here (in French)

The Fédération Française de Cyclisme is the French cycling authority. It organises events and controls a network of clubs around the country in various disciplines including, VTT (mountain biking), BMX, road racing, velodrome racing and polo teams playing on bikes.

• To find a local cycling club in any discipline: Click here (in French)
• See The AngloFILE Cycling & Mountain Bikes
• Provence Cycling Federation (Fédération Française de Cyclisme-Provence - FFC)
  Tel: 04 91 12 23 12
  Fax: 04 91 12 23 14
  e-mail
  Website (in French)

River Canoe-Kayaking

Canoeing is well represented in the local rivers. Navigable rivers are classified into six grades, Classes I to VI. There are many organisations providing training, transport and equipment for trips, one day or several. The sport is monitored by the Fédération Française de Canoë-Kayak It has information on appropriate rivers and expert guides, where necessary.

• Comité Départemental de Canoë-Kayak Alpes- Maritimes
  e-mail
  Website (in French)

Canyoning

This sport is allowed in the summer only, generally 1 April to 31 October.

There are strict rules concerning the responsible use of all canyoning sites, as regards protection of the ecology, and treatment of the site.

There are about 70 recognised canyoning locations in the region, of which 25 to 30 are particularly difficult. Refer to "Gorges and Canyons" in the RandOxygène collection.

Caving & Potholing

There are many caves worth exploring, but it is advisable to join an organised club or hire a guide. Information from:

• Comité départemental de Spéléologie - Nice
  Tel: 04 92 97 46 85
  Website 
• Comité départemental de Spéléologie du Var
  Tel: 04 94 31 29 43
  Website (in French)

Snakes & Frogs of France

Many people encounter snakes while hiking. Website Herp France in comprehensive and in English and explains all the snakes, lizards and frogs of France in detail.

Further Information

• Comité Départemental de Tourisme du Var
• Conseil Général des Alpes-Maritimes