Whereas we loved what we noticed of the town — primarily its waterfront and the eating places alongside Rue Felix Faure close to our cute studio condo AirBnB — we actually used Cannes as a jumping-off level for day journeys.
One in every of these was a street journey wine tasting, mountain climbing, and having fun with a sundown swim within the legendary St. Tropez.
This was sooner or later the place we critically packed within the scenic experiences.
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South Of France Journey Video
Earlier than we dive into our Cannes day journey, I’ve acquired a France journey video for you:
Watch it above!
It reveals our street journey from Good to Marseille, together with Cannes. This itinerary is nice for these touring in a bunch or visiting France alone.
Wine Tasting In The Var Division
Our first vacation spot of the day: mountain climbing “The Three Capes” (Les Trois Caps) of Cap Lardier, Cap Taillat and Cap Camarat.
We’re practically there, when instantly the small retailers and eateries we’ve been seeing flip into infinite rows of wine grapes.
We cross quite a lot of vineyards, deciding to cease into Domaine de la Croix for a glass.
This vineyard is excellent, relationship again to 1882 with a whimsical previous farmhouse and underground wine caves.
A wine tasting crafted from the grapes of their 100 hectares (247 acres) of winery permits us to discover the Var Division — certainly one of six departments of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (PACA) Area — in essentially the most scrumptious style.
And it doesn’t harm that the tasting is free.
There are numerous vineyards to discover alongside this scenic drive from Cannes to St Croix Valmer
We end our glasses and say “au revoir,” (by the best way, don’t ever depart a spot in France with out greeting with ‘bonjour’ and saying goodbye with ‘au revoir’).
We’re now heading to our authentic mountain climbing vacation spot from earlier than we acquired distracted which, by the best way, occurs continually whereas driving the South of France as there’s a lot to cease off and discover.
Seashore Mountain climbing
Driving Instructions
It takes about half-hour till we’re parked close to the trailhead at St Michel parking zone (1 Euro per hour).
Some instructions for these desirous to additionally do that seashore hike:
You’ll be heading to the tip of Plage de Gigaro in St Croix Valmer.
You’ll be able to enter “Restaurant Le Refuge” into your GPS for particular directions.
Subsequent to the restaurant is the trailhead with a map directing you to the mountain climbing path, and a stunning seashore for these less than trekking.
Path Instructions
Now from this trailhead there are a lot of choices for finish factors relying how lengthy you need to hike for.
Andy and I comply with the indicators for “Les Pins Blans,” which takes us alongside the coast. We traverse up and down rocky stairways, via small bunches of shady timber, previous small coves and seashore pockets, and close to rocky outcroppings the place we cease to take within the view.
Stairs alongside the path
One of many many stunning views whereas mountain climbing to Les Trois Caps
Oh, the view.
It by no means leaves us, whether or not we’re drooling over Mediterranean waters dotted with sail boats and yachts, marching via pine-scented woodland lush with timber, or strolling bush-lined paths with glowing bays peeking above.
We get to know the Bay of Cavalaire, the Corniche des Maures and the Îles d’Hyères via vistas.
The solar shining down on Andy
My favourite views are towards the start of the hike whereas taking within the water, clouds, seashores and skyline without delay.
It actually helps me acquire a way of the place I’m and the true magnificence the South of France holds.
The path surroundings constantly adjustments
Whereas the water to our proper is fascinating, the luxurious woodland to our left, which appears to be like prefer it’s stuffed with odd-looking dragon blood timber, can also be value a gaze.
At one level the seaside path ends and a wood staircase leads us up a wood staircase to ascend an enormous hill — which I consider is named Pin Blanc (white pine) — towards Cap Lardier.
As soon as at the highest we absorb yet one more view, and are offered with the selection to proceed to the caps by way of the Sentier du Littoral path or flip left to move again to the seashore.
Cap Lardier
We select to proceed to Cap Lardier, one other beautiful view.
Are we seeing a sample right here?
From the highest of Pin Blanc it’s rather less than a mile for us to succeed in the cap, a large rocky outcropping jutting out from the mainland.
That is the spot selfies have been made for.
Impromptu Skinny Dipping
From right here proceed on to the opposite caps, every with their very own magnificence to supply, particularly Cap Talliat with its distinctive wildlife, together with 80 chook species.
You’ll be able to finish (or begin, doing the hike backwards from the above description) at Plage de l’Escalet.
We take pleasure in each second of the journey, particularly the ending: skinny dipping within the Mediterranean!
Sorry, no photos to point out of that, however listed below are our ft earlier than we go in!
Cooling off
Anyway, bucket listing merchandise ticked off for this American lady, the place strolling nude alongside a seashore would elicit stares and albeit perverts snapping images for Instagram.
At many seashores within the South of France no one offers a rattling, which is refreshing in additional methods than one (critically, by this level we’re sweating!).
Observe:
In case you plan on stopping to swim you don’t want a showering go well with (for causes talked about above).
I might advise bringing sandals although.
On the best way again as soon as on the backside of Pin Blanc you’ll have the ability to make it again in sandals, and it’ll be much less annoying than placing socks in your moist sandy ft.
A bit yoga alongside the path
Take a look at that daylight!
St. Tropez…Type Of
We head again to the automobile and make our strategy to our ultimate cease of the day, St Tropez.
It’s a vacation spot for the wealthy and well-known — in addition to the common traveler — placed on the map by actress Brigitte Bardot within the movie And God Created Girl.
Humorous sufficient the preferred “St. Tropez seashore,” the 5-kilometer-long Pampelonne Seashore, is in close by Ramatuelle (about quarter-hour by automobile to the precise St Tropez buying space).
As grew to become the theme on the street journey, earlier than we arrive on the seashore we’re distracted by an sudden discovery, an exquisite vineyard we have now to cease in.
Wine tasting at Domaine Bertaud Belieu
Extra Wine
This discovery happens alongside the beautiful Boulevard du Common Patch, which is stuffed with wineries for these wanting extra.
We cease at Bertaud Belieu in Gassin, additionally a part of the native Var wine area.
What we’re studying vineyard hopping across the South of France is that whereas in New York it’s customary to pay a reasonably penny to do a wine tasting, right here it’s utterly free.
I imply, we pattern 10 completely different wines for…$0, although we do purchase two bottles for ~$18 complete to point out our appreciation.
The vineyard is critically beautiful with infinite rows of rolle (the native white grape of notice) and mouvedre (the native pink grape of notice), and an previous world architectural really feel.
They’re unbiased, too, which means it’s a must to go to their vineyard to attempt their scrumptious buzz-inducing creations.
Outdated Village Vistas
It additionally helps that it’s close to to the precise village of Gassin, considered one of many oldest villages within the South of France, relationship again to 1234.
It’s enchanting with slender cobbled streets, historic monuments, stunning gardens, historic stone and brick buildings, and eating places that includes stunning views (and excessive costs).
View from Gassin
The actual cause to cease right here, although, is the view from 200 meters (656 ft) overlooking the Var wine area.
You’ll be able to see a lot, together with the Golfe de St. Tropez, the Iles d’Or, coastal cities like La Croix Valmer and St. Maxime, the Maures Mountains and the snow-capped Alps.
It’s merely beautiful, plus it’s free to park so you actually don’t have anything to lose.
A Sundown Swim
Lastly, we make it to Pampelonne Seashore.
We have been instructed that is the place the “stunning folks” go to work on their tans, so we anticipate a little bit of pretension.
I’m undecided if it’s as a result of it’s 6pm, however there may be none. Simply locals and guests stress-free, swimming and having fun with the surroundings.
Pampelonne Seashore
Whereas the water is a bit chilly, it’s the primary time we’ve felt actual sand between our toes on the journey, as our earlier vacation spot of Good had rocky seashores.
A man close by strums a guitar, the beachside bars are doing final name and the day’s crowd is dissipating.
We admire a lighthouse and skyscraper-free rural background within the distance earlier than constructing a sand moat, waves lapping up our creation.
Retiring to our towels we lay again and take within the clouds. I’m undecided I’ve ever seen clouds so shapely and white — so shut I can virtually contact them.
At this second I can’t think about a extra stunning place to be having a romantic getaway, providing the proper mixture of views, booze, journey and rest.
Take a look at these Pampelonne Seashore clouds!
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