Arrive in Menton and check in to your hotel for the evening. Nestled in between the high Maritime Alps and the Mediterranean this colourful seaside town is the final stop on the French Riviera before crossing the Italian border. Best known for its manicured botanical gardens, it is a town that even stole Queen Victoria's heart when she visited in 1882. This enchanting town dates back to medieval times, founded by pirates and those with a keen eye will spot the town's links to piracy in the names of the old narrow streets.

Depending on the time of your arrival, we recommend you take a stroll past the pastel coloured mansions, through the old town and along the picture perfect promenade to the lovely old port. It won't take long until you, like Queen Victoria, will fall in love with this charming seaside town.

Your first walk of the week will take you to the magnificent mountain village of Sainte Agnes, listed as one of Frances most beautiful villages. Perched on the side of the Maritime Alps, Sainte Agnes is the highest coastal village in Europe meaning only one thing; it is a village with a unique feel and exceptional views.

Your route will first wind its way up from Menton to the picturesque village of Castellar where you can enjoy a coffee stop or perhaps a fresh orange juice, produced from the local fruit trees. Castellar dates back to the era of pirates when the inhospitable location on the hillside provided much needed protection. You will have time to explore the village, its church dating back to the establishment of the village and the charming Palais Lascaris before continuing your walk accompanied by fantastic views along the way. Arriving at your final goal of the day, Sainte Agnes, you can settle into your home for the next two evenings.

You have the option of three variations of today's walk with the most strenuous option being described above, starting from Menton.
1090m ascent / 480m descent / 5 hours walking time

For those looking for a happy medium you can take the public bus to join the route in Castellar, allowing you to cut out the morning ascent.
700m ascent / 200m descent / 2-3 hours walking time

The final option is perfect if you would prefer to have more time to enjoy Menton. This option takes the public bus to the hamlet of Monti to join the final section of the route.
540m ascent / 1-2 hours walking time

Feeling refreshed today you will ascend the fantastic peak of Cime de Baudon standing proud at 1,266m above the coast. Fuelled by breakfast you leave Sainte Agnes behind to begin your ascent of Cime de Baudon taking you through shaded woodlands and on to the mountain ridge for breath-taking views of the landscape; the deep green of the trees, the white of the alpine arc, the pastel colours of the seaside towns and the blue of the Mediterranean. As you gain height the views only improve along the Cote d'Azure. Reaching the top there is no better spot to enjoy a picnic in the sunshine looking across the Maritime Alps, deciphering which peak is which from the orientation display, before descending back to Sainte Agnes to further explore this village and enjoy dinner at your accommodation.

This morning you say farewell to Sainte Agnes to return to the beautiful gardens and sea air of Menton. Your walk will take you southeast through fragrant pine forests and scrublands to the medieval village of Gorbio, perfectly perched within a backdrop of greenery and with views to the blue waters out to the coast. You will have time to wander the beautiful streets and covered passageways that lead you to little squares and water fountains where locals congregate. When you have finished exploring, you will continue to meander down towards the coast to your next goal of the day, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin where you are greeted with views across the bay to Monaco to the southwest. Your final stretch around the headland reveals your now familiar home for the evening, as you'll be returning to Menton which was also your accomodation on night one. Take in the fresh scent of the sea air, and stroll through the increasing grandeur of this pastel perfect maritime town to your hotel front door.

Today begins with a short train journey along the coast to the principality of Monaco. Famed for its Grand Prix, yacht show, and casino, Monaco may be the second smallest country in the world (the Vatican wins the top spot!) but it certainly packs a punch.

If you wish to do the longer of the two options today, make sure to leave enough time to complete your walk. Your route will take you winding up the hillside to the village of La Turbie with its gigantic Roman Trophee d'Auguste (35m high) which dominates the village silhouette, before you traverse the limestone ridgeline to the pretty village of Eze. There are great views of Monte Carlo on this walk, skyscrapers juxtaposed with the Maritime Alps to one side and azure blue sea of the Mediterranean to the other. From Eze you meander down to the coast to Eze-Bord-de-Mer before continuing over the headland to your final goal of the evening, Beaulieu-sur-Mer.
950m ascent/ 950m descent / 6-7 hours walking time

For those wishing to enjoy a more leisurely day and perhaps a little more time spent sightseeing in Monaco you can end your hike at Eze-Bord-de-Mer, where you can then take the train directly to Beaulieu-sur-Mer.
650m ascent/ 650m descent / 4-5 hours walking time

Today you wake up in Beaulieu-sur-Mer. After a relaxed breakfast and maybe a coffee on the promenade of this stunning marina resort you can begin today's picturesque stroll around this beautiful stretch of French Riviera coastline. This undulating coastal walk bound for Nice takes you among the pines and palms around the pronounced headland of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Views from the far end of this headland are expansive taking in the shoreline of the Bay of Angels and the city of Nice to the west, and the fast cars and high life of Monaco to the east. The final stretch includes a climb up through the trees to the Fort du Mont Alban, an imposing structure built on the hill of the same name in the 16th Century, named after the white limestone which it is built from, and typical of this headland. The descent takes you to your accommodation for the evening, and the vibrant city of Nice.

Alternatively you may choose to skip the final hill climb to Fort du Mont Alban in favour of another stretch of walking along this fabulous coastline to Nice.

Take a relaxing breakfast and venture into the city for a little sightseeing. We recommend booking a late flight home or even an additional night to allow you the opportunity to explore the city of Nice, its old town, the colourful flower market and stroll along the Promenade des Anglais before your onward journey.