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The most impressive mountains to visit in France.

Published: 01 February 2022

The most impressive mountains in France to visit during your yacht charter

It might be surprising to learn that some of France’s most spectacular mountain ranges are just a couple of hours’ drive, or an even shorter helicopter ride, from the French Riviera. Why not switch up your next luxury yacht charter itinerary on the Côte d’Azur by adding some mountain time into the mix?

Experience Europe’s ‘Grand Canyon’

The Gorges du Verdon has some deeply dramatic scenery, etched over eons by the Verdon River

The Gorges du Verdon is the jewel in the crown of the French Riviera’s backcountry. The dramatic ‘Grand Canyon of Europe’ and its emerald-coloured lakes and river offer all manner of activities for anyone looking to escape the heat and crowds; in under just two hours, you can leave behind the busy beachfronts and streets of the Riviera and find yourself in this sanctuary of nature.

A hiker’s paradise

Lace up your hiking boots and head aloft or trace the meandering Verdon River, where you will be able to pause and enjoy a ‘beach’ picnic prepared by your charter yacht crew in total privacy. The Blanc-Martel Trail will see you pass through two eerie pitch-black tunnels (head torches are advisable) and trace the river’s pathway on a relatively accessible hike.

...passes through two tunnels hewn through the rock...

The Imbut Trail is one of the most famous in the region but, as a more technically challenging route, it is better suited to more confident hikers. If you make it to the top of the hiking trail at Falaise des Cavaliers you can reward yourself with a cold beverage at the Hotel Grand Canyon du Verdon while taking in the spectacular views.

...and ends with a rewarding view at the aplty named Point Sublime

Take a dip in the Verdon lakes

Sections of the river are perfect for white-water rafting

Exhilarating, refreshing and, at the end, a real sense of achievement

Set your own pace with watersports on the rivers and lakes of the Verdon region. Try white water rafting, stand up paddleboarding and waterskiing, or simply enjoy a refreshing swim in the turquoise Lac de Sainte-Croix, and Castillon.

You may choose to take your pleasures in a more leisurely way, paddling across one of the turquoise lakes that temper the river's flow

With charming cafés and restaurants dotted along the shorelines, you will have plenty of opportunities to stop and take in the vistas.

Explore Mercantour National Park

The Arc de Tortisse above Lac Superieur de Vens typifies the beauty of this national park

Described by National Geographic as the ‘unsung side of the French Alps’, the Mercantour National Park is less than an hour from Nice by car, and even less by helicopter. Designated a protected national park four decades ago, it was saved from being developed into a ski resort like other mountainous parts of France. With some 600 kilometres of marked trails across eight valleys sprawling across 2,000 square kilometres, you can expect to discover a treasure trove of biodiversity in the Alps’ last ‘terre sauvage’.

The park is criss-crossed with hiking trails that reveal breath-taking views around every crest and bluff

At higher altitudes, the landscape can seem barren and otherworldly, while in the lush, green valleys you will find a local community of montagnards who enjoy a slower pace of life, living off the land as shepherds, beekeepers and cheesemakers. April and May are a popular time of year to explore the Mercantour National Park.

With a classic Alpes-Maritime background, Lac d'Allos is both scenic and very refreshing for those in need of a cooling dip

Earn your views by hiking up to the lake at Allos, for example, which will reward you with beautiful scenery and crisp, clean air; the bravest among your group might even venture into the gin-clear lake for a dip in the rejuvenating water.

Experience the cobbled streets of the ‘perched villages’

Perched precipitously above the Tinée Valley, Roubion exemplifies the historic tenacity of folk in these parts

While visiting the Mercantour National Park, be sure to take a tour of the ‘villages perchés’, a clutch of hamlets teetering on the mountainsides that provide superb views and a chance to experience the unique mountain culture. Take in the remarkable panoramas of the Gordalasque Valley from the winding, cobbled streets of Belvédère; bask in the warmth of colourful houses and the terracotta landscape of recently restored Rimplas; and bring a head for heights to the vertiginous Roubion, presiding over the Tinée Valley.

Strategically situated on a bluff above a confluence of valleys, this sensitively restored gem is overlooked by the remains of a 12th century fort

Book a guided tour of the Vallée des Merveilles

The historic importance of these mountains has seen them inhabited since the bronze age, as these petroglyphs confirm

On the border between France and Italy, you will find the Vallée des Merveilles, which translates as ‘Valley of Wonders’. It hosts one of Europe’s largest collections of open-air petroglyphs from the Bronze Age. Here, tens of thousands of rock engravings depict ancient symbolism and a bygone way of life, with the greatest concentration being found on the side of Mount Bégo. On your tour, be sure to bring along an experienced guide who can decipher the drawings of everyday objects like daggers, scythes and axes, as well as horned animals, anthropomorphic figures, suns, stars and spirals.

Some more recent residents are well suited to the undulating landscape and lush green meadows

Visit the Var Valley

From the village of Entrevaux, you can see the Var River wind down the valley towards the Mediterranean

Not to be confused with the Var region to its west, the Var Valley is one of the largest valleys leading to the Mediterranean Sea near Nice.

Just a 30-minute drive from Nice, there is scenery like this to admire as you drive

With the Var River rapidly flowing right next to the road and a large number of tunnels cutting through the vertiginous cliff faces, enjoy a half-day trip in the up the valley by car to explore the picturesque towns and beautiful landscape, or continue on towards the Mercantour National Park.

Picturesque villages like Gilette cling to the valley's sides delivering unforgettable views

Venture higher up the slopes of the valley to villages like Gilette and La Roquette for some of the best elevated views of the sea in the locality.

Travel by Train

The viaduct that carries the Train des Pignes viewed from Tourettes-sur-Loup

Step back in time and enjoy a unique locomotive tour on the Train des Pignes, named after the pine cones that were once used as tinder to start the steam engines.

The 151-kilometre journey from Nice to Dignes features modern trains but there is still a 20km section where you can travel under steam power

Running from Nice to Dignes-les-Bains, the 151 kilometre track takes you on a three-hour voyage through the Var Valley, passing through deep tunnels carved out of the mountainsides, bordering the Verdon River and heading past the fortified town of Entrevaux, before terminating in Digne-les-Bains, the capital of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence region that sits some 600 metres above sea level.

Entrevaux, positioned on a rocky outcrop at a bend in the Var River, has been settled since the 11th century

During the summer months, part of the journey can be taken on a steam train with elegantly refurbished old carriages to add another element of fun to the trip.

Enjoy the views from Carros

There is some sensational, if challenging, cycling to be had in these mountains

A great way to reach Carros from the coast is by bike, or those who prefer a more leisurely day out can jump in a car. Head inland at Cagnes-sur-Mer and make your way past the picturesque town of St Paul de Vence before winding your way up the Col de Vence, a notorious climb for both professional and amateur cyclists living nearby.

Congratulations on making it to the top of Col de Vence! Your reward is views right along the Italian and French Riviera

At the top of the ascent, make your way through the sparse and rocky landscape past Coursegoules and Bouyon before turning south towards Carros for great views of the Var Valley below.

At the end of your journey, this spectacular view from Carros down the Var Valley awaits

Hike and bike through the Maritime Alps

There is a reason why the French love cycling so much, particularly in this part of the country

As you might guess from the name, the Alpes-Maritimes are literally on your doorstep during a yacht charter along the French Riviera. If you are a keen cyclist or hiker, these peaks offer various appealing challenges and you will be richly rewarded by views that are out of this world.

Scale the Peille and Baudon peak

Dramatic views of ethereal cloud lakes across the Maritime Alps towards the coast

Embark on a four-hour hike from the medieval hilltop village of Peille to the peak of Cime de Baudon peak for an unforgettable view of that spans 100km of coastline along the French and Italian Rivieras.

Resilient blooms line your hiking route during the summer months

Take in the local flora and fauna as you make your way along the challenging trails past grazing sheep and goats, reflecting on the beauty of this relatively unpopulated area that is just a short distance from Nice and Monaco. The loop path is challenging, covering 620 metres’ ascent, and should only be undertaken by those with some previous experience, a good level of fitness and suitable hiking boots.

There is adventure to suit every level of fitness

Perfect for finding panoramic views

If you are looking for a great view of the coastline without travelling too far from your French Riviera charter yacht, the charming elevated villages of La Turbie and Èze are within easy striking distance of Monaco and Beaulieu.

Beautiful historic towns like Sisteron are within easy reach of the Riviera

Make like James Bond and travel up the Moyenne Corniche in style behind the wheel of a classic convertible car, and why not take a short tour of the Fragonard perfumery in Èze while you are nearby? For the fittest hikers, the Nietzsche Path takes you from sea level to the edge of Èze village on a winding and rocky trail; this one is not for the faint hearted.

The most impressive mountains to visit in France.

The most impressive mountains in France to visit during your yacht charter