What to See and Do in Alpes-Maritimes
The brightest and best festivals, events and tours of the region
Related article: Beyond the Riviera in the Alpes-Maritimes
FESTIVALS
La Fête du Mimosa
From late January till early March, the 130km route between Bormes-les-Mimosas and Grasse is alight with brilliant yellow mimosa flowers, and their feathery blossoms and sweet perfume are celebrated at the Fête du Mimosa in Pégomas. Take the route up the hill to the tiny hilltop village of Tanneron, a stunning 12km drive with breathtaking views all the way. www.ot-mandelieu.fr
Nice Carnival
Alongside Rio and Venice, Nice is one of the world’s major spring carnival events, and by far the largest in France. Every year, from mid-February to early March, the city puts on its festive finery to celebrate the coming spring with reworks, floats, parades, parties and general revelry. A schedule of events can be found on the carnival’s dedicated website. www.nicecarnaval.com
Nice Carnival is a huge event that draws visitors from all over the world. Photo: OTC Nice
Fête du Citron
At pretty much the same time as Nice Carnival, Menton throws its own mega-party in celebration of the famous local lemon. Festive parades with citrus-studded floats and all manner of other festivities are scheduled in the gardens, on the beaches and throughout the old town. www.fete-du-citron.com
Festival des Jardins de la Côte d’Azur
Now in its second year, this Riviera-wide festival celebrates the area’s many enchanting gardens. Held in April, more than 200 events will celebrate the theme ‘Mediterranean Dreams’, with contests between competing professional gardeners, pop-up gardens, workshops, tastings and conferences. Maps and descriptions of all the events are available online or in a printed brochure. festivaldesjardins.departement06.fr
Salon d’Antibes – Antiquités et Art Moderne
Every year an estimated 25,000 people come to Antibes for one of France’s most distinguished arts and antiques events. The more prominent dealers occupy the elegant indoor stands, while outdoors more than 100 other dealers line the harbourside. The Salon runs for two weeks from mid-April to early May. www.salon-antiquaires-antibes.com
Les Étoiles de Mougins
Every two years, during the first weekend of June, Mougins’s cobbled streets are lined with food stalls where France’s top chefs cook up their signature dishes on the spot in a food lover’s dream. Foodies from far and wide gather to meet the chefs and enjoy three days of cooking demonstrations, competitions, food trucks, wine tastings, workshops, concerts and – of course – eating. The next festival will take place in 2020. www.lesetoilesdemougins.com
Candied fruits and other confectionery at Maison Auer in Nice. Photo: Jennifer Ladonne
SPECIALITIES
Maison Auer
Since 1820, Maison Auer has been making its famous candied fruits, chocolates, and other sweet delights, all of which are on display at this authentic 19th-century boutique. www.fruits-confits.com
Trésors Publics
This chic boutique in the heart of Vieux Nice is a gathering of all things ‘Made in France’, including homewares, toys, perfumes, beauty products, clothing, gardening supplies and more. www.tresorspublics.com
Maison Godet
Sonia Godet, who worked for Cartier in New York, revives her great-grandfather’s creations, as worn by the stars of the 1920s, along with her own scents, in Saint-Paul-de-Vence. www.parfumsgodet.com
LANGUAGE COURSES
Many people choose to come to this part of France specifically to study French. The Institut Français de Villefranche-sur-Mer offers two- to four-week French immersion courses for professional adults and mature students. There are courses starting on May 6, June 3 and July 1. www.institutdefrancais.com
High-end perfume at Maison Godet, as worn by the stars of yesteryear. Photo: Jennifer Ladonne
TRAIN RIDES
Le Train des Merveilles
Running from Nice to Tende, this is one of France’s most stunning train rides. Hop on and off at your leisure to explore the perched villages and natural wonders along the way. www.tendemerveilles.com
Le Train de Pignes à Vapeur
One of France’s last steam locomotives takes you on a tour of the countryside between Nice and Digne-les-Bains, a landscape of rivers, mountains and gorges. The train leaves four times a day on Sundays between May and October, and also on Thursdays and Fridays in high-season. www.nicetourisme.com
ART HIKES
Chapelle Notre-Dame des Fontaines
After viewing La Brigue’s octagonal Chapelle Saint-Michel and Château Lascaris, an easy 4km walk along the Chemin des Oratoires will bring you to Notre-Dame des Fontaines, a 12th-century chapel that harbours an extraordinary fresco dating back to the late 1400s.
La Vallée des Merveilles
At the tourist offices of Nice, or indeed anywhere along the Côte d’Azur, you can pick up a brochure detailing several hikes of all levels of difficulty to discover the Valley of the Marvels’ prehistoric rock carvings, which include depictions of trees and animals, and the mysterious sorcier. The Musée des Merveilles inTende explains their origins. www.museedesmerveilles.com
GUIDED TOURS
The Tourist Office of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is providing four different free guided tours of the town throughout this summer, with the only provisos being that you have to book 48 hours in advance, that it isn’t raining (unlikely), and that there be at least six people on each trip. See the website for details and call +33 (0)4 93 76 08 90 to reserve your place.
From France Today magazine
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