Culture, nature and a fine walk
The cities of Nice, Cannes and Antibes offer their own unique attractions, but the heart of Provence lies in the hills, where charming hamlets and villages cling to the heights and shelter in the valleys. This is quintessential southern France where life seems to move slower than anywhere else we know.
All around Le Foulon lie such villages, many clearly medieval with narrow single cart alleys threading through tall stone built houses without a proper vertical to be found. You just have to explore, and here we list the closest gems, all an easy hire car drive away, and a couple within a determined walk.
Gréolières
If you're looking for a piece of traditional Provence, where the locals spend the afternoons on the village Boules pitch, and where little has changed for centuries, then take your pick.
Our village of Greolieres has less than 500 inhabitants, but an impressive 4 restaurants. It's a sweet place to stroll about, but to really understand the history of the place you need to walk a further 10 minutes up the mountain to the ruined old town. Only the chapel has been restored since it was left to the elements when the plague came calling way back when...
Gréolières les Neiges
15-20 minute's drive from Le Foulon is a great little ski resort with 26kms of piste, lots of off-piste tree skiing and a simply breathtaking view of the Mediterranean from the top.
Weekends, especially during the French half term, can get very crowded, but during the week there is hardly anyone there - it's like having your own private ski resort. You soon get to know the lift operators, the sun shines on you all day and a great lunch can be had for under €15.
Gourdon
Just 10 minutes drive from Le Foulon is arguably one of France's most picturesque villages. At 800 metres above the coast it has a commanding view of the Cote d'Azur from Nice to the bay of Cannes.
The breathtaking location means the village is a little touristy now, but it also means you're spoilt for choice with buying gifts to take home and it's also a great spot to have a leisurely lunch in the sun.
Cipières
Cipières is the nearest village to Le Foulon as the crow flies. A rocky old path runs from the end of our land up to the village of Cipieres. If you're relatively fit, avoid the midday sun and remember a bottle of water then it only takes 35 minutes. But with a rise of 300m over the course of less than 2kms it's uphill all the way and certainly gets the old ticker working. Coming back is a breeze!
Pont du Loup
At the mouth of the gorges du loup this little hamlet has an amazingly rich history. Before the second World war it thrived on tourism, with the magnificient railway viaduct that once stretched across the two mountains bringing wealthy clientel up from the coast.
Three restaurants remain, but of the 4 hotels just one is still here. Apart from the history and the scenery the main draw is a sweet factory that offers guided tours and produces mouth watering hand made chocolates.
Le Bar sur Loup
Just up the road from Pont du Loup, Bar sur Loup has gorgeous views over the verdant valley fed by the river Loup on its way down to the coast. A large village, it has a very pretty square and a very useful tourist information centre. To one side is a great pizzeria and the recently renovated Chateau that boasts some lovely suites and a Michelin starred restaurant.
