Loup Valley Tourist Information
Loup Valley Tourist Information
A car is essential for this day trip in the breathtaking Arrière-Pays (back country). Head towards Chateauneuf de Grasse and then on to the places of interest - Gourdon, the waterfalls at Saut du Loup, Bar sur Loup, Pont du Loup and Tourrettes sur Loup before going on to Vence and back to Cannes, choosing your own route.
Gourdon is a small village with spectacular views of both the coast and the valley. It has a ninth century chateau with a museum and wonderful gardens. Tip: visit the perfume shop, it holds a surprise, and from one of the food shops buy a ginger cake, yummy.
Bar sur Loup again has great views and a 13th century church. The road around the village has some good restaurants. The old school house is now a restaurant with wonderful memorabilia inside it.
On to Pont sur Loup where the remains of the railway bridge bombed during WW11 by the Germans can be seen: the line used to run between Nice and Draguignan.. Just after the village is a left turn leading to the waterfalls, open 1 July to 30 October costing just 1€ and there is a bar and restaurant near the entrance.
On this same road just after the first tunnel on the left is a car park. From here you can go canyoning. You will need a swimsuit and sports shoes - wet suits provided. Everyone from eight years old can take part. It costs 50 euros, takes two and a half hours and is available from April to the end of October at 9am, 1.30pm and 4.30pm. Go to www.altitude06.com to book
Tourrettes sur Loup is perched 1300 feet up with sheer drops around it. This medieval town is an absolute delight. It has a 14th century church and a host of craftsmen and women you can watch working – from potters, to woodworking, jewellery making and gem engraving. And of course you can buy anything that takes your fancy. There is a range of restaurants and cafes. Michelin starred restaurant Le Clovis is open Wednesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner. Reservations 04 93 58 87 04
Or try the Café des Sports, honest country fare but be prepared, the portions are generous. Another favourite is the Restaurant chez grandmère - in summer you can dine outside in the square.
It is then on to Vence, a stunning walled town with five medieval gates. Today painters, sculptors and writers live here and it has many galleries and open air exhibitions in the summer. Outside the old town is the Matisse Chapel.
Tourrettes medieval street
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Loup Falls
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