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Scroll down to view our selection of holiday homes with pools on the Cote d’Azur.
Walking in breath-taking mountain or coastal scenery, cycling along tree-lined country lanes, or trying one of the many water sports on offer, there’s so much to see and do if you are staying at one of our holiday homes with pools on the Cote d’Azur.
Here’s our guide to just some of the great outdoor activities on offer on the Cote d’Azur.
Walking
Fine weather, fabulous scenery, good public transport links and a vast network of way-marked footpaths make this great walking country, with one proviso; the heat of high summer (July and August) brings the risk of forest fires and is best avoided when undertaking strenuous activity.
The region offers a range of walking areas, often categorised by local guide books as either Pays Cotier (coastal path walks), Moyen Pays (routes slightly inland) or Haut Pays. The last are walks in mountainous terrain, largely within the lovely Mercantour National Park which lies along the border with Italy. The Esterel mountain range (east of Nice) and the Massif des Maures (above St Tropez) are less challenging yet both ideally suited to discovering the flora, fauna and landscape away from the busy, frequently suburban, coastline. However, it is also possible to escape the crowds on sections of the coastal path, particularly around Cap Ferrat. The Calanques National Park, around Cassis, and the islands of Porquerolles and Port Cros (a nature reserve) are also recommended.
Cycling
While many professional road cyclists base themselves on, or around, the Cote d’Azur, exploration of the Riviera by bicycle is not for the fainthearted with its big climbs, midsummer heat and traffic. The long-distance Eurovelo 8 (Route de la Mediterranee) passes through the region on its journey towards Italy, via Nice and Monaco, and several sections of the route have been improved by introducing cycle lanes, most notably along the Bay of St Tropez and the seafronts at Nice and Cannes where it is known as ‘La Littorale’. Maps and guides are available online and from local Tourist Information centres. Work is still in progress to link-up sections of this route between resorts and it offers a more family-friendly alternative to some of the challenging roads rides, such as the Col d’Eze, many of which have featured as Tour de France stages. By contrast, bicycle is perhaps the best way to explore delightful Porquerolles with bike hire available on the island. Inland, mountain bike circuits (VTT) have been created in wilder areas such as the Mercantour National Park and Alpes Maritimes (an hour’s drive from Nice) with hire available locally.
Adventurous activities
Several Via Ferrata sites have been established on the craggy cliff faces of the Mercantour National Park with centres at Tende, La Brigue, Breil-sur-Roya and Roubion. Near Caille, it is possible to clamber among the stalactites and stalagmites on the world’s first underground Via Ferrata. Climbing, caving and para-gliding are also possible in the park. A full range of winter sports are available in the resorts of the Alpes Maritimes, just an hour’s drive inland from Nice.
Water sports
The Mediterranean waters off the French Riviera form part of a vast marine nature reserve covering more than 80,000 square kilometres. Here, there are year-round opportunities for scuba diving and sailing, with centres located in many of the resorts. Inland, the fast-flowing waters of the Mercantour National Park and Gorges du Loup valley (near Grasse) are ideal for canyoning and white-water rafting.
You can view our full selection of holiday homes with pools on the Cote d’Azur below.
Taking your pet? Take a look at our pet friendly villas in the South of France.
If you’re looking for holiday homes with pools on the Cote d’Azur, why not take a look at our latest Travel Guide to the region.
For more information about holidaying in the south of France, visit the official Provence, Alpes, Cote d’Azur Tourism website.
