The most beautiful hilltop villages of the Côte d'Azur
Behind the coastline, the Riviera hinterland hides a constellation of hilltop villages: medieval lanes, ramparts and panoramas plunging to the sea. Here is our pick of the finest, and how to string them together on winding roads… without holding the wheel.
Èze, the eagle's nest
Perched more than 400 metres above the Mediterranean, between Nice and Monaco, Èze is the most spectacular. Its Exotic Garden offers a breathtaking panorama over the coast, at the top of a maze of cobbled lanes.
Saint-Paul-de-Vence and Vence
A fortified village dear to artists, Saint-Paul-de-Vence charms with its ramparts, its galleries and the nearby Maeght Foundation. Next door, Vence and its chapel decorated by Matisse round off an art-focused getaway.
Gourdon and Tourrettes-sur-Loup
Listed among the most beautiful villages in France, Gourdon overlooks the Loup valley from a rocky spur, with a view that reaches the sea. Nearby, Tourrettes-sur-Loup, the city of violets, charms with its rampart-houses and unspoilt setting.
La Turbie and the balconies over Monaco
Above Monaco, La Turbie preserves the Trophy of Augustus, an imposing Roman monument, and offers one of the finest viewpoints over the Principality. The villages of the Nice hinterland — Peille, Peillon, Sainte-Agnès — extend the exploration for those who want to leave the beaten track.
How to discover them
These villages are reached by narrow, winding mountain roads where parking is often limited. An excursion with a chauffeur lets you string together several in a day, enjoying the scenery rather than the driving, with a drop-off at the foot of each village.
The route is tailored to your interests: art, panoramas, crafts or fine dining.