BIKE TOUR N°6 :

THE SPLENDID JEWELS OF THE FRENCH RIVIERA

FORTIFIED VILLAGES  - COASTAL CYCLE - ANTIBES - PANORAMA -  NATURAL PARKS - SAINT-PAUL - ART

An amazing E-Bike Tour (Full-Day) along the Mediterranean Sea and on the first hills of Provence to discover 2 unique fortified medieval towns (Antibes and Saint-Paul-de-Vence), worldly famous for being attractive places for painters, artists & movie-makers. Along the way, you will enjoy incredible panoramas and 2 exceptional natural parks where only locals go when they look for serenity.

Let's start our day following our longest cycle path, the most pleasant one, along the Mediterranean and the famous boulevard of Nice, la Promenade des Anglais, to discover our architectural heritage, its Belle Époque Palaces splendors and its crispy anecdotes. Then, let's discover a modern Marina, emblematic of the major seaside resorts developments of the 80's and 90's, a real surprise of grandeur and modern architecture.

You will love the impressive viewpoints over the Baie des Anges and the city of Nice crowned with the Alps on the background, before arriving in the fortified medieval town of Antibes and its castle-museum Grimaldi (today Picasso Museum), its plunging ramparts in the sea, its sandy beaches, its billionaires' yachts, its cobbled and flowery alleys and its Provencal market. The opportunity to taste a delicious special Socca before hitting the road.

After this amazing town, we will discover 2 beautiful natural parks, unknown, unusual, a lush greenery hidden few steps from the seaside, where we will cycle in the heart of refreshing trees, along swamps and rivers. After a tasty picnic of local specialties by the river, we will find our way towards a suggestive farming valley unique in our region, with in the background the Alps, as far as the eye can see.

Finally, your guide will lead you by peaceful paths bordered by olive trees towards THE most famous and authentic fortified village in French Riviera hinterland, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, a real medieval jewel, cobble-stones streets perfectly maintained, an open-air art gallery and its intact ramparts from the 16th century. There, we will be able to cycle through the village and its fortifications and appreciating from every perspectives. The advantage of the electric bike will allow us to visit the entire village up and down in a few pedal strokes (the same itinerary walking requires almost 2 hours of time) and to discover plunging and original views of the village where Marc Chagall & many famous painters felt in love with the light & painted many landscapes. We can end this memorable day with a rewarding meeting with art gallery owners located in the village, before going back down to Nice.

NATURAL PARKS, ARTWORKS & 2 FORTIFIED FRENCH RIVIERA'S PEARLS!

Highlights of "The Splendid Jewels of the French Riviera" E-Bike Tour:

  •     The Promenade des Anglais and the entire seaside cycle path
  •     A majestueuse modern Marina, typical of the French architecture of the '80s-'90s
  •     2 villages with perfectly maintained fortifications from 16th century, including 1 medieval jewel (Saint-Paul de Vence)
  •     2 natural parks with lush greenery, refreshing charms, on the edge of swamps and rivers
  •     Belle Époque , Art Deco & Modern architecture
  •     Many art galleries, craftsmen and exceptional shops
  •     Delicious  typical pic-nic (Nice specialties included, by the river)
  •     Local and qualified guide (Guide-Conférencier National)
  •     Comfortable & design E-Bikes
  •     Guided tours in small groups for better quality of service (11 max.)

 

Pricing conditions :
* These excursions are suitable for children/families: (Student rate (from 18 years old) = -10%; 12-17 years old = -15% (the teenager's height must be + 1.55m); 5-12 years old = -30% (subject to availability of small bikes); 1 - 5 years old = -70% (child seat - 1m).

(Between 12 and 17 years old, to avoid any danger, we require a prior discussion with the parents to discuss the teenager's ease on the bike, possibly to agree on a safer route)

OPTION PREMIUM DELUXE :

ARTS & ROYAL GASTRONOMY

PROMENADE DE LA MER - 2 VILLAGES FORTIFIÉS - MUSÉES D'ART - RESTAU GASTRO - PARCS - RIVIÈRES

For this Premium option, we will follow substantially the same route as above, with additional guided tours by a professional guide expert in Art to learn all about the Picasso Museum, the Renoir Museum and the Escoffier Culinary Art Museum (birthplace of the great Chef Escoffier, known as the Gastronome of Kings and great palaces, one of the inventors of great French cuisine).

- The Picasso Museum is housed in an exceptional site, the Château Grimaldi (14th century), one of the great painter's residences on the French Riviera, where we will discover the entire period of the famous painter's antibiosis, as well as a collection of his dishes. ceramic and many other surprises (temporary exhibition spaces).

- The Villa-Museum Renoir was for 12 years the last residence of the 1st recognized painter to move to the Côte d'Azur, surrounded by its fabulous olive grove so depicted by the greatest of the French Impressionists. We will admire 15 original paintings by Renoir, a collection of his female sculptures, paintings by her closest painter friends, the layout of all the pieces and period furniture, as well as the olive grove.

- The Escoffier Culinary Museum is housed in the birthplace of the great Chef Auguste Escoffier, recognized worldwide as the Gastronome des Rois, a pioneer of great French gastronomy in the most prestigious palaces (19th century and early 20th century).

To satisfy all your taste sensations, you will have lunch in a restaurant near the Museum where the Chef is a disciple of Escoffier and you will taste a starter, a main course and a dessert typical of his culinary inventions, accompanied by a delicious PDO wine from Provence.

We will end our very special day with the meeting with exceptional art gallery owners nestled in the village of Saint-Paul de Vence, a true paradise for art lovers.

    For fans of Modern Art, we can also, on prior request, include the guided tour of the Maeght Foundation

Price: 180 € / person (Menu at the typical Escoffier restaurant + wine (with moderation) included)

(Contact us for a quote and availabilities)