Nice's
Top Four Drives by Fiona Hilliard
A
short drive in any direction from Nice will take you to charming
villages, unspoiled landscapes and dramatic scenery. What are you
waiting for-pack up the hire car, roll out the map and hit the road!
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1.Eze-y Does It
The
pretty medieval village of Eze can be reached within 11km of the city
of Nice and boasts a range of interesting cultural and historical
attractions. The village has a dramatic location, perched high above
the Mediterranean on a rocky hilltop. A walking tour of the village
gives visitors the chance to absorb remarkable feats of engineering
and architecture. First stop should be the town's 12th century castle
which sits on a narrow craggy peak.
The
castle was torn down during a turbulent era in the 17th century, but
its attractive grounds survive to this day. Jardin Exotique is to be
found in the grounds presently and offers visitors panoramic views of
the coast from 429m high. The view doesn't come cheap however and a
generous donation is expected.
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Visitors
are encouraged to sample the sweet enterprise of the region at either
Parfumerie Galimard or Parfumerie Fragonard perfumeries, both of which
are situated in Eze village. The perfume factories offer guided tours,
with special discount rates available to groups.
2.
Picturesque Peillon
Heading
20km outside of Nice, you'll reach the fortified medieval village of
Peillon, which is regarded by many to be the most beautiful village on
the Cote d'Azur. The hill's clinging grey and white structures offer
fantastic opportunities for photographs and it's well worth bringing
your camera along for the journey.
The
village is pedestrian-only, meaning you'll have to park your hire car
at the plaza at the base of the village and make your way to the centre
under your own steam. The stroll allows you to take advantage of
stunning views of the village's stepped terraces and narrow winding
streets.
As
Peillon has not been subject to the usual tacky commercialization, it's
possible to purchase an authentic memento of your trip from the
village's only gift shop 'La Maiouneta'. The shop is situated close to
the fountain and sells local produce, as well as paintings and ceramic
creations by local artists.
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3.
Gorge-ous Loup Gorges
The
spectacular Gorges Du Loup is well worth a journey. This area of
fragile natural beauty can be accessed 40km from Nice via the D2210
road, which runs along the Châteauneuf-Pré Du Lac close to nearby
Grasse.
Follow
the D6 at the bottom of the valley at Pont-du-Loup, where, if you look
upwards through the ultra narrow gorge, you'll see the town of Gourdon
perched on the cliffs high above, as well as the shattered,
bomb-scarred pillars of the railway viaduct which sweeps cleanly around
the valley.Driving another 4km on this route, allows you to catch a
glimpse of the Cascade de Courmes waterfall, spraying craggy
moss-dappled boulders and leafy undergrowth in its path. The waterfall
then makes a deafening 40m plunge, well worth inspecting in person.
Parking places are limited so it's best to leave the car at the exit of
the first tunnel.
4.
Magic Mougins
Mougins'
pretty medieval charms have long attracted artists and dignitaries to
this town. Spanish artist Pablo Picasso spent the last few years of his
life in Mougins and visitors to Mougins will find many local
exhibitions dedicated to the artist. . It's easy to while away a few
hours browsing the village's studios and galleries. The Museum of
Photography in Mougins is definitely worth a look. Here you'll find a
fascinating permanent collection of Picasso portraits.
Mougins
is renowned for its excellent cuisine and hungry day-trippers are
guaranteed to find something to silence rumbling tummies; whether you
opt for fine dining at the famous Michelin starred Moulin de Mougins
restaurant or simple cheap local eats from one of the town's
atmospheric cafés. The journey to Mougins also takes you through
fragrant Grasse, regarded as the international capital of perfume.
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