Walks & Gardens of the French Riviera
Walks & Gardens of the French Riviera
8 Days Starting and ending in Menton
Visiting: Menton, Carnolès, Èze, Nietzsche path, Monaco Hercules harbour, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, Monaco, Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Cap Ferrat, Serre de la Madone, Sainte-Agnès
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TEK
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
5 - 15
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
On the Franco-Italian border, by the warm Mediterranean sea, Menton is a delight for any visitor. It is easy to see how the city earned its nickname 'the Pearl of France', combining gardens, seaport, beach resort and a hiker’s paradise into one. With the Alpine chain dropping into the sea at the France-Italy border, it is also an ideal location for a guided walking trip. Many of the trails start directly from the town and gain altitude in a short distance, offering some of the finest views of the French Riviera.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Menton
Location: Menton
Accommodation: Hotel
Our start point is a three-star hotel in Menton. Situated just a short stroll from the railway station, beach and shops, it is ideally located for a week of walking. In the evening, our guide will hold a welcome meeting to discuss the week ahead, give advice on the local area and answer any questions.
Day 2 : Walk To And Around Cap Martin Peninsula, Through Menton And Carnolès
Location: Carnolès
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Starting from the hotel, we stop at the market where we discover local food ingredients, then take the train or public bus to Carnolès. In the grounds of the Palais Carnolès and Musée des Beaux-Arts, we find a renowned collection of citrus trees. After time exploring the gardens, we start our walk around the beautiful Cap Martin Peninsula where we stop for a picnic lunch. After lunch, we visit the Cap Martin olive groves then walk or take the bus back to Menton.
Day 3 : Discover Eze; Visit The Exotic Garden. Walk Down The Nietzche Path To Join Eze Plage
Location: Èze, Nietzsche path
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
We begin our day with a 20-minute train journey to Eze Plage, and carry on by bus to Eze, a medieval village established in the 14th century with magnificent coastal views. From here, we can walk up to the Mont Bastide castle ruins to admire amazing views before we visit the Exotic Garden, which is built 1,407ft (429m) above sea level on the site of an ancient fortress in Eze village. It overlooks the Provençal hill village providing home for cacti, succulents, xerophytes and various Mediterranean species. After free time in the village, we walk down the Nietzsche path to join Eze Plage, before taking the train back to Menton. The Nietzsche path includes a lot of uneven and rocky steps which requires a reasonable level of agility.
Day 4 : Train Or Bus To Carnolès; Walk To Roquebrune. Take The Ferry Shuttle To Cross Monaco Harbour; Discover Monaco Old Town
Location: Carnolès, Monaco Hercules harbour, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we take a train or bus to Carnolès, followed by a walk to Roquebrune where we enjoy stunning views over Monaco. Then we walk down to Monaco where we take the ferry shuttle to cross Monaco harbour. We discover the old town with tiny streets and beautiful buildings and the casino, before returning by train to Menton.
Day 5 : Free Day To Explore Menton Old Town, Take A Trip To The Chic Principality Of Monaco Or Visit One Of The Many Exotic Gardens In The Area
Location: Monaco, Nice
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
On your free day, you could choose to explore Menton old town. During the 19th century, the British and Russian aristocracy met here in fabulous palaces and villas. The architecture is stunning with the unique baroque style of the Saint-Michel and Conception squares plus the Saint-Michel Basilica façade. Alternatively, you could visit one or more of the eight gardens in Menton or head further afield to Nice by train or bus and visit its renowned market and the Promenade des Anglais. Monaco also has much to offer despite its diminutive size, and is renowned for the luxurious lifestyle afforded to its residents.
Day 6 : Train To Villefranche Bay; Walk To Cap Ferrat And To Saint Hospice Peninsula
Location: Villefranche-sur-Mer, Cap Ferrat
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, we take the train to Villefranche from where we walk to the Gavinette point to admire the spectacular view of Villefranche bay. We continue our walk to Cap Ferrat where we can marvel at the beauty of Villa de Rothschild and its gardens.
Day 7 : Visit To Serre De La Madone Garden Showcasing Rare Subtropical Plants, Followed By A Visit To Sainte Agnes
Location: Serre de la Madone, Sainte-Agnès
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
In the morning we take the public bus to the Serre de la Madone garden for a visit. Created by Sir Lawrence Johnston, it was turned from terraces of vines and olives into a garden bright with drifts of agapanthus and strelitzia. After our visit, a private bus will collect and take us to the village of Sainte Agnès. High above Menton town, it is registered as “one of the most beautiful French villages”. It hides picturesque streets and artist studios and, at 2,625ft (800m) above sea level, offers a breath-taking view over the blue Mediterranean Sea. We then take the bus or walk back to the hotel.
Day 8 : End Menton
Location: Menton
Meals Included: Breakfast
After a relaxed breakfast, we say our goodbyes and begin our return journey home. If you’d like to explore a little more, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.
What's Included
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All breakfasts
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All accommodation
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All transport and listed activities
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Tour leader throughout
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Group arrival and departure transfers available
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
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Single accommodation (available on request)
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Visas or vaccinations
Food
Seven breakfasts are included. There is a nearby supermarket and boulangerie to buy packed lunches and Menton is brimming with restaurant choices for your evening meal. Due to the towns proximity to the Italian border there are some excellent Italian restaurants and the cuisine has a distinct Mediterranean feel rather than traditional French cuisine in general.
Accommodation
Just a three-minute walk from the sea yet still in the heart of Menton, this 89-room hotel makes the perfect base for a week of walking.
Spend downtime on the rooftop, enjoying views across terracotta-topped buildings to the sea and mountains or chatting with the group over a cocktail or two from the bar.
On the ground-floor, Le Mediterranee restaurant serves “French classics with a Mediterranean twist” – food you can enjoy on the air-conditioned veranda; in the mornings, fuel up for our walks with a buffet breakfast, which includes pastries, pancakes, Menton marmalade, eggs, sausages, bacon and more.
Check out our Q&As
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.
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Do you require a visa for this holiday?
No visa required for British passport holders.
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Are flights included in this tour?
International flights are not included with this tour.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes.
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Who is Exodus Travels?
At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide.
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Minimum 16 year age people can go on this tour.
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
There are no specific health risks.
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.
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What is the maximum group size?
14
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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