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Walks & Gardens of the French Riviera

0044 1606 720199

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  • Holiday code
    W07FR
  • Holiday type
    Guided walking
  • Duration
    7 nights
  • Accommodation
    single-centre
  • Activity level
  • From $2625per person, tour only
  • Departure months
    JFMAMJJASOND
  • What's Included?
  • All breakfasts All accommodation All transport and listed activities Tour leader throughout Group arrival and departure transfers available
  • Key Information
  • This holiday is operated by our sister company, Exodus
  • Seven nights in a comfortable hotel Five days with walking Low altitude throughout Altitude maximum: 2,464ft (751m); average: 1,150ft (350m) Option to travel by train to your adventure
      from 3 reviews

Miss Witham says...
Overall, an excellent holiday with a varied walking itinerary, comfortable well located hotel and great weather. The local walking guide, Sandrine, was ...
Read reviews »

France: The French Riviera

Walks & Gardens of the French Riviera

  • Operated by our sister company, Exodus
  • Stay in the heart of the Côte d’Azur Enjoy coastal paths and mountain trails Discover beautiful gardens and picturesque mountain villages

On the Franco-Italian border, by the warm Mediterranean sea, Menton is a delight for any visitor. It is easy to see how the city earned its nickname 'the Pearl of France', combining gardens, seaport, beach resort and a hiker’s paradise into one. With the Alpine chain dropping into the sea at the France-Italy border, it is also an ideal location for a guided walking holiday. Many of the trails start directly from the town and gain altitude in a short distance, offering some of the finest views of the French Riviera.



We're here to help

If you have any questions about this holiday call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199, use our live webchat or email sales@headwater.com



We're here to help

If you've any questions about this holiday call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 , or email sales@headwater.com

Day 1: Start Menton

Our start point is a comfortable three-star hotel in Menton. Situated just a short stroll from the railway station, beach and shops, it is ideally located for a week of walking. In the evening, our guide will hold a welcome meeting to discuss the week ahead, give advice on the local area and answer any questions.

Day 2: Walk to and around Cap Martin Peninsula, through Menton and Carnolès

Starting from the hotel, we stop at the market where we discover local food ingredients, then take the train or public bus to Carnolès. In the grounds of the Palais Carnolès and Musée des Beaux-Arts, we find a renowned collection of citrus trees. After time exploring the gardens, we start our walk around the beautiful Cap Martin Peninsula where we stop for a picnic lunch. After lunch, we visit the Cap Martin olive groves then walk or take the bus back to Menton.

Day 3: Discover Eze; visit the Exotic Garden. Walk down the Nietzche path to join Eze Plage

We begin our day with a 20-minute train journey to Eze Plage, and carry on by bus to Eze, a medieval village established in the 14th century with magnificent coastal views. From here, we can walk up to the Mont Bastide castle ruins to admire amazing views before we visit the Exotic Garden, which is built 1,407ft (429m) above sea level on the site of an ancient fortress in Eze village. It overlooks the Provençal hill village providing home for cacti, succulents, xerophytes and various Mediterranean species. After free time in the village, we walk down the Nietzsche path to join Eze Plage, before taking the train back to Menton.

Day 4: Train or bus to Carnolès; walk to Roquebrune. Take the ferry shuttle to cross Monaco harbour; discover Monaco old town

Today we take a train or bus to Carnolès, followed by a walk to Roquebrune where we enjoy stunning views over Monaco. Then we walk down to Monaco where we take the ferry shuttle to cross Monaco harbour. We discover the old town with tiny streets and beautiful buildings and the casino, before returning by train to Menton.

Day 5: Free day to explore Menton old town, take a trip to the chic principality of Monaco or visit one of the many exotic gardens in the area

On your free day, you could choose to explore Menton old town. During the 19th century, the British and Russian aristocracy met here in fabulous palaces and villas. The architecture is stunning with the unique baroque style of the Saint-Michel and Conception squares plus the Saint-Michel Basilica façade. Alternatively, you could visit one or more of the eight gardens in Menton or head further afield to Nice by train or bus and visit its renowned market and the Promenade des Anglais. Monaco also has much to offer despite its diminutive size, and is renowned for the luxurious lifestyle afforded to its residents.

Day 6: Train to Villefranche bay; walk to Cap Ferrat and to Saint Hospice peninsula

This morning, we take the train to Villefranche from where we walk to the Gavinette point to admire the spectacular view of Villefranche bay. We continue our walk to Cap Ferrat where we can marvel at the beauty of Villa de Rothschild and its gardens.

Day 7: Visit to Serre de la Madone garden showcasing rare subtropical plants, followed by a visit to Sainte Agnes

In the morning we take the public bus to the Serre de la Madone garden for a visit. Created by Sir Lawrence Johnston, it was turned from terraces of vines and olives into a garden bright with drifts of agapanthus and strelitzia. After our visit, a private bus will collect and take us to the village of Sainte Agnès. High above Menton town, it is registered as “one of the most beautiful French villages”. It hides picturesque streets and artist studios and, at 2,625ft (800m) above sea level, offers a breath-taking view over the blue Mediterranean Sea. We then take the bus or walk back to the hotel.

Day 8: End Menton

After a relaxed breakfast, we say our goodbyes and begin our return journey home. If you’d like to explore a little more, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.

Where you stay

This single-centre holiday is based at the following hotel. If you'd like to extend your stay here, or upgrade your room, just let us know at the time of booking.

To find out more call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or email sales@headwater.com

Hôtel Méditérranée Menton

Just a three-minute walk from the sea yet still in the heart of Menton, this comfortable hotel makes the perfect base for a week of walking. It has a restaurant, bar-lounge, 24-hour reception and a rooftop terrace with sun loungers. All rooms are en suite and come with air conditioning, satellite TV, minibar, coffee maker and hairdryer. Underground parking is available at an extra cost and wifi is available throughout. Single supplement available on request.


Meals

Seven breakfasts are included. There is a nearby supermarket and boulangerie to buy packed lunches and Menton is brimming with restaurant choices for your evening meal. There is plenty of choice for all budgets and tastes, including traditional French cuisine, fresh seafood and excellent Italian restaurants (influenced by the town's proximity to the Italian border).

Travel

Our aim is to provide holidays that are unbeatable for choice and flexibility. We've listed our most popular travel options below, however you aren't limited to these - we can tailor-make virtually any holiday to suit.

To find out more about the travel options available call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or email sales@headwater.com

Transportation

All transport mentioned in the itinerary is included, except for optional excursions or where a client may choose to curtail a group walk. Airport transfers will be by private coach; throughout the week, public transport including buses and trains will be used.

Joining Instructions

Key information Start hotel: Hôtel Méditérranée Menton, 5 Rue de la République, 06500 Menton Phone: +33 4 92 41 81 81 Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening, but if you miss it the leader will update you separately Airport: Nice Airport (NCE) Getting to the start hotel The start hotel is approximately 50 minutes’ drive from the airport. Your options for this journey are: Take an Exodus transfer Exodus provides one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times or to arrange a private transfer. Make your own way From the airport, it is a simple journey to our hotel in Menton. Take the shuttle bus no. 110 (Monaco – Menton Express) and you will alight a 10-minute walk from the hotel. The cost of the bus is approximately €22 one way. Please see here for further details: http://uk.niceairportxpress.com/timetables.html The cost of a taxi from the airport to the hotel is approximately €100 one way. If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative. Catching your return flight There’s a group departure transfer to the airport for customers who Exodus booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer. This trip can be combined! With so much to see and do in the world we know how hard it is to settle just on one destination. That’s why we have put together a handy guide of trips you can do back‐to‐back. This trip aligns with most departures of Walks of the Cinque Terre & Portofino (trip code: TEH). To transfer between the two destinations – Nice (Menton) to Pisa (Moneglia) – you can take the train via Genova (approximately five hours) to Moneglia. Please note, both departures need to be guaranteed for these trip combinations to be confirmed.

Reviews

Everyone who goes on a Headwater holiday will be emailed a link to our post-holiday questionnaire where they can give us an honest assessment of all aspects of their holiday - everything from how quickly we answer the phone to how clean the hotels were - plus an overall rating and comments about their holiday.

Any feedback collected is posted to our website, so that people can make an informed decision based on past experiences before heading off on holiday. We don’t edit the reviews, the only thing we do is proofread them and alter any typos, where necessary, to ensure they are easy to read for everyone. All reviews will be published (except in certain extreme circumstances), and a member of the Headwater team will respond to any constructive criticisms/comments under the reviews, at their discretion. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of our holidays, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.


Miss Witham, 31/08/2019

Overall, an excellent holiday with a varied walking itinerary, comfortable well located hotel and great weather. The local walking guide, Sandrine, was also excellent.


Mrs Compton, 15/09/2018

Excellent variety of mountain and countryside walking combined with experiencing local towns and villages. This holiday rates at the top end of the '2 boot' category with some tough ascents and at least one descent which verges on treacherous (down to Eze). However, our guide Jessica Viale, was an exceptional leader - her local knowledge was encyclopaedic and her mountain and countryside experience made each day's walk a pleasure. She found us wonderful restaurants each evening and was a charming and entertaining dinner companion. She really made the holiday a wonderful experience.


Ms Jenkins, 01/09/2018

Daily hikes from a base is a great way to go. Very scenic area plus resort amenities nearby if wanted.



Dates and prices

You can be confident that our pricing includes all the standard requirements of your holiday and many additional extras. Always ensure that you are comparing like for like when booking your holiday.

This 7 night guided walking holiday includes:

All breakfasts All accommodation All transport and listed activities Tour leader throughout Group arrival and departure transfers available


How to book:

To book this holidays speak to our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'book now' or 'check availability' button below.

To book this holiday call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'Book now' or 'check availability' button below.

Departure date Tour only Prices Single supplement  
1st Jun 2024 US$2700 US$870 Tour only: US$2700
Single supp: US$870
Check availability
Check availability
15th Jun 2024 US$2625 US$870 Tour only: US$2625
Single supp: US$870
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Check availability
7th Sep 2024 US$2700 US$900 Tour only: US$2700
Single supp: US$900
Check availability
Check availability
14th Sep 2024 US$2700 US$900 Tour only: US$2700
Single supp: US$900
Check availability
Check availability
31st May 2025 US$2775 US$945 Tour only: US$2775
Single supp: US$945
Check availability
Check availability
14th Jun 2025 US$2775 US$945 Tour only: US$2775
Single supp: US$945
Check availability
Check availability
6th Sep 2025 US$2925 US$975 Tour only: US$2925
Single supp: US$975
Check availability
Check availability
4th Oct 2025 US$2925 US$945 Tour only: US$2925
Single supp: US$945
Check availability
Check availability

The prices quoted for each individual departure supercede those published in our current brochures. Air prices are subject to change and we advise early booking to obtain the best prices. Please see our Planning your holiday and What's included in the price? pages for additional information.

Key information

This holiday is operated by our sister company, Exodus

Seven nights in a comfortable hotel Five days with walking Low altitude throughout Altitude maximum: 2,464ft (751m); average: 1,150ft (350m) Option to travel by train to your adventure

Transportation

All transport mentioned in the itinerary is included, except for optional excursions or where a client may choose to curtail a group walk. Airport transfers will be by private coach; throughout the week, public transport including buses and trains will be used.

Joining instructions

Key information Start hotel: Hôtel Méditérranée Menton, 5 Rue de la République, 06500 Menton Phone: +33 4 92 41 81 81 Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening, but if you miss it the leader will update you separately Airport: Nice Airport (NCE) Getting to the start hotel The start hotel is approximately 50 minutes’ drive from the airport. Your options for this journey are: Take an Exodus transfer Exodus provides one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times or to arrange a private transfer. Make your own way From the airport, it is a simple journey to our hotel in Menton. Take the shuttle bus no. 110 (Monaco – Menton Express) and you will alight a 10-minute walk from the hotel. The cost of the bus is approximately €22 one way. Please see here for further details: http://uk.niceairportxpress.com/timetables.html The cost of a taxi from the airport to the hotel is approximately €100 one way. If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative. Catching your return flight There’s a group departure transfer to the airport for customers who Exodus booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer. This trip can be combined! With so much to see and do in the world we know how hard it is to settle just on one destination. That’s why we have put together a handy guide of trips you can do back‐to‐back. This trip aligns with most departures of Walks of the Cinque Terre & Portofino (trip code: TEH). To transfer between the two destinations – Nice (Menton) to Pisa (Moneglia) – you can take the train via Genova (approximately five hours) to Moneglia. Please note, both departures need to be guaranteed for these trip combinations to be confirmed.