Great Things to Do Near Vue du Lac
Day out in Nice
Explore one of the oldest human settlements in Europe taking in the sights of the old quarter, Place Rossetti, the Russian Orthodox Cathedral and Place Massena which is the main square of the city. Held in the Cours Saleya, the daily morning Marché des Fleurs is a riot of colour and fragrances. Stay on for lunch in one of the many restaurants which spill out into the pedestrianised lanes and squares. Anyone for Salade Niçoise?
Gorgeous scenery
Head northwest to see the spectacular gorge, 25km long and 700 metres deep, formed by the Verdon river whose mineral deposits turn it a startling turquoise. Take a day to drive around the hairpin bends above the canyon, go walking or climbing in the National Park, or even hire kayaks to explore the waterways.
Art trail
Many famous painters and sculptors have been inspired by the light and landscape of this region, so it is no surprise that it is blessed with art galleries and museums. To name a few: the Matisse Museum and the Museum of Modern & Contemporary Art in Nice, the Renoir Museum in Cagnes-sur-Mer, the Fondation Maeght in St-Paul-de-Vence and the Picasso Museum in Antibes.
Visitors to Grasse in early August
can appreciate the annual ‘Fete du Jasmin’ festival held in honour of the flower of the same name. The highlight of the event is the 'bataille de fleurs', where flowers are thrown into the crowd, their fragrance heady in the air.
Horse riding
is available in Fayence so why not admire the local area on horseback?
Antiques market
at the Cours Honoré Cresp in the centre of Grasse, every Wednesday morning throughout the year.
Parc Zoologique de Fréjus
Built in 1971, this Zoological Parc stretches over a vast 20 hectares, which can visited either by foot or in the car. It boasts over 110 different species of mammals, reptiles and birds, and is a fantastically entertaining and educational day out for all the family.
Hit Cannes!
A 50 minute drive will take you to perhaps the most famous Riviera town, home to the highly acclaimed Cannes Film Festival. Take a peek at how the other half live by driving down the main drag of La Croisette which contains some of the most expensive real estate outside of Paris. Here, you can also find numerous designer name boutiques for some great retail therapy.
Hire bikes
in Montauroux and take to the hill roads for some interesting and often challenging cycling and of course some fantastic views.
Tee off!
Golf enthusiasts will want to try the two 9-hole golf courses at Terre Blanche, in nearby Tourrettes.
Day at the lake
Have some fun on the water by heading to Lac St Cassien where boats, canoes and pedalo hire are available. There are little lake beaches from which to swim, and café-restaurants for lunch and refreshments. Fishing permits are available too.
Tour the nearby hilltop villages
Take a scenic drive around the picturesque 'perched' villages of Montauroux, Callian, Fayence, Tourrettes and Seillans. Explore the cobbled streets and delight in finding a quintessential café or provencal market in the square.
A day on the coast
Head down to Mandelieu to spend a day at the beach. There are quite a few to choose from, some pebbly though most sandy, many with facilities and close to amenities but some more out of the way and quieter.
Vineyards and wine tasting
Visit a nearby vineyard to taste the local wines - rosé is the most typical tipple around here.
Monkeying around
Montauroux has a treetop obstacle course with safety harnesses, as well as an unusual netted area in the trees where you can run and jump about freely, 5m above ground! There is also laser-tag and mini-golf on the same site.
Grasse
is internationally renowned for its perfume production, and offers ample opportunity to sample and buy perfumes and a wide variety of fragranced goods as well as discovering the origins of perfume making at the Fragonard, Molinard or Galimard perfume factories or at the fascinating Musée International de la Parfumerie. An antiques market is held at the Cours Honoré Cresp every Wednesday morning throughout the year.
Take to the air
The adventurous among you may like to try gliding at the nearby Aérodrome just south of Fayence - a unique way to enjoy the mountain and sea views of the Cote d'Azur.
Caves and treetop trail at St Cézaire
The tour of Les Grottes de St Cézaire takes you down through caverns with features including draperies, stalactites and stalagmites, many with a lovely rose color, eventually reaching the Gouffre Béant at the bottom where a underground river flows past. A good choice of excursion for on a hot day! Alternatively have a go at the Accrobranche treetop adventure trail also on site, where you can tackle rope bridges, nets and zip wires through the trees. There are several levels of difficulty.
