Gardens and Villas of the French Riviera

Between 1 and 4 hours of walking and up to 200m of ascent per day.
No technical difficulties. This trip is suitable for motivated beginner hikers.

You only carry a small daypack with your picnic lunch and the things you need for the day. Your luggage will be at your hotel in Menton every evening.

Transfers by public transport and a private transfer during your stay.

Between 6 and 12 participants.
In exceptional circumstances, the group may include one additional person, for example if a couple books when only one place remains, or if bookings are made simultaneously.

Guide gratuities are optional and at your discretion. To reward outstanding service, a suggested guideline is 5–10% of the total trip cost. Local currency is preferred.

6 days, 5 nights, 5 days of hiking.

The trip runs from Sunday to Friday. Departures in March, April, May, September and October.

Guiding

Led by a mountain walking guide with a French state qualification.

Accommodation

In a 2*-rated hotel in Menton, 300m from the beach, in a shared room.

Meals

Meals included from breakfast on Day 2 to lunch on Day 6.

Breakfast is served at your accommodation.

Lunch is a picnic prepared by your guide.

Dinners are at restaurants in town. Dinner on Day 1 is not included.

Please let us know of any food allergies or special dietary requirements when booking; we will do our best to adapt your meals.

2*-rated Hotel Le Parisien in Menton

Start

On Day 1, at 18:30 at your hotel in Menton.

End

On Day 6, in the afternoon (around 15:00) at your hotel in Menton.

About two weeks before departure, you will receive joining instructions specifying the meeting time and place, your guide’s name and contact details, and the address of your first accommodation.

By plane

Flights depart from many French cities.

By train

Check current train connections to Menton and onward local transport before travelling.

By car

Take the A8 motorway towards Menton, then exit no. 59 towards Menton.
You can plan your route on ViaMichelin.

Parking your car

You can park your car in Menton’s attended public car parks (approx. 75 / 80 € / week): Interparking Menton Gare SNCF.

A number of our trips offer opportunities to swim along the way or at the end of the day. It would be a shame to miss out. However, we emphasise that you alone must decide whether it is appropriate to swim; you therefore do so under your own responsibility and at your own risk.

Member of Agir pour un Tourisme Responsable (ATR)

Since 2012, Grand Angle has been a member of ATR, a leading association for more responsible tourism. We design our trips – on foot, by bike and on snow – to invite everyone to discover the world differently: with curiosity, respect and kindness.

As members of the board of directors since 2018, we actively help the sector adopt more meaningful practices. In practical terms, we focus on:

• Transparency in our practices and prices
• Respect for our partners and local communities
• Protecting the environment on every trip

We also share the values of the Traveller’s Ethical Charter, which encourages everyone to take simple steps to protect the places they visit and create opportunities for meaningful encounters.

Travelife Partner

Since 2025, Grand Angle has held Travelife Partner status, an international label that certifies our responsible environmental, ethical and sustainable management practices, both within our company and in our work with partners and the organisation of our trips.

This label, the second level of a rigorous international certification scheme, recognises our practical efforts towards responsible tourism. We are actively working towards the next level, Travelife Certified, in line with our sustainable development policy

In this section, you will find links to products from our partner Alpinstore, a French online retailer specialising in outdoor equipment, based in Annecy.

Carrying your belongings

• A comfortable 30 to 50 L backpack with a hip belt to carry your personal belongings and picnic lunch during the day
• One bag for luggage transfers: a backpack, a travel bag in good condition or a suitcase that is not too bulky. One bag per person, weighing no more than 15kg

Discover how to pack your hiking backpack properly in our magazine.

For hiking

For maximum comfort, choose a layered clothing system: warm base layers (leggings + top) such as “Carline” or “Capilene” (hollow fibres that wick away perspiration) + a sweatshirt or fleece jacket + a mountain jacket and overtrousers with a waterproof, breathable membrane (such as Gore-Tex or equivalent) for bad weather. As a general rule, except in hot climates and countries, avoid cotton, which traps moisture next to your body (and takes a long time to dry), and choose suitable synthetic fabrics instead.

• Hiking boots that support your ankles, with a good treaded sole, a supportive heel counter and good waterproofing
• Comfortable hiking socks (at least 3 pairs)
• A fleece
• Comfortable walking trousers (quick-drying technical fabric)
• Comfortable technical shorts
• Technical T-shirts or base layers (quick-drying fabric)
• A long-sleeved shirt
• Walking poles (telescopic), very important for making walking easier. Discover all the benefits of hiking poles in our dedicated article, or how to choose your hiking poles

Note: synthetic technical clothing performs very well. New merino wool clothing is also available; it performs very well, is comfortable to wear and has the added benefit of resisting odours from perspiration!

For your lunchtime picnic

• Your “kitchen” kit: a bowl, plastic container or plate, and cutlery (spoon, fork, knife)
• 1 or 2 water bottles (a total capacity of at least 1,5 L) – mandatory –; an insulated flask for winter

Protection from sun and rain

• Sunscreen (high protection)
• Sunglasses
• A hat, cap or bucket hat
• A rain poncho or a waterproof jacket such as a softshell or Gore-Tex jacket, and possibly waterproof trousers

After your hike

• A pair of running-style trainers for the evening
• A change of clothes and underwear
• A toiletry bag and a small towel
• Swimwear and a towel for wellness facilities (if specified) or swimming
• A small first-aid kit: personal medication, surgical masks, hand sanitiser, plasters, sterile dressings and a bandage, gauze, disinfectant, arnica pellets and aspirin, etc. (please note that this list is not exhaustive and should be adapted to your own medical needs).

Find these tips in our article #“what to take with you on a hike”.

This list is a guide and should be adapted to your trip and the season in which you are travelling.

Documents

A valid national identity card or passport.

Menton Tourist Office
8 Avenue Boyer
06500 Menton
Tel.: 0492417676

With its Mediterranean climate, this trip is possible all year round. Late autumn (for its colours) and early spring (for its flowers) are probably the most pleasant seasons for hiking. But take care! In a Mediterranean climate, these are also the rainiest times of the year! There is therefore a very real risk of encountering bad weather along the way.

I.G.N 1/25000 No. 3742 OT Nice-Menton