The Alpes-Maritimes is one of those rare departments where everything is possible in a single day. In the morning, you'll explore a village perched high above the Mediterranean. In the afternoon, you'll fly over the peaks at an altitude of 1800 m on a paragliding. And in the evening, enjoy an open-air concert on the Côte d'Azur.
The 06 boasts a diversity of activities that few other regions in France can offer. Culture and heritage in Nice, Grasse or Saint-Paul-de-Vence. Adventure and thrills in the Gorges du Loup or from the Cheiron peaks. Beaches and water activities from Menton to Antibes. Family outings to parks, caves and museums suitable for children aged 6 and over. Events all year round, from the Nice Carnival to summer festivals.
Whether you're on holiday on the Côte d'Azur, on a weekend break with friends or looking for an idea for a family outing, this guide gives you the best activities in the department. It's not an endless list: it's a selection from the field, compiled by outdoor professionals who have been living and working in the Alpes-Maritimes for 19 years.
Here you'll find practical ideas, organised by type of experience. Each section can be read independently. Choose the one that's right for you, and take action.
The 06 department is home to some of the most spectacular villages in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. With its medieval streets, sea views and historic heritage, cultural visits are one of the region's must-do activities.
It's impossible to talk about the Alpes-Maritimes without mentioning its hilltop villages. They give the department its unique identity, between sea and mountains.
Èze dominates the Mediterranean from an altitude of 429 metres. Its exotic garden offers one of the most photographed panoramas of the Côte d'Azur, from Nice to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. The village can be visited in one or two hours, ideally in the morning to avoid the crowds in high season.
Saint-Paul-de-Vence is a must for lovers of art and history. The Fondation Maeght, just a few minutes' walk from the village, houses one of Europe's most important collections of contemporary art. The galleries, ramparts and pétanque in the main square complete a visit that combines culture and Provencal authenticity.
Gourdon, perched 760 metres above the Gorges du Loup, offers a bird's-eye view of the coast as far as Cap d'Antibes. It is also a starting point for the paragliding in Gourdon conditions permitting. A village that sums up the promise of the 06: heritage, scenery and adventure all in one place.
Other villages are well worth a visit: Saorge in the Roya valley, Lucéram with its medieval streets, and Coaraze, nicknamed the «village of the sun».
Nice is the cultural heart of the département. The old town, with its Cours Saleya market, colourful facades and lively squares, can be explored on foot at any time of year.
For museum lovers, the city offers a remarkable choice. The Musée des Beaux-Arts houses a collection ranging from the Renaissance to modern art. The MAMAC is dedicated to contemporary art and the Nice School. The Musée Matisse, housed in a 17th-century Genoese villa, traces the work of the painter who lived in the city in his final years.
The Promenade des Anglais, the hill of the Château and the port of Nice complete a visit that can easily occupy an entire day. Admission to most of the municipal museums is free, making this a cultural outing accessible to all.
Grasse deserves a special place in the cultural activities of the 06. The town is recognised by UNESCO for its expertise in the perfume industry. Historic houses such as Fragonard, Galimard and Molinard offer guided tours and perfume creation workshops, an original experience for visitors of all ages.
Beyond the perfume, the old town of Grasse invites you to take a stroll: cathedral, Musée d'Art et d'Histoire de Provence, and panoramic views over the coastal plain to the sea. To extend the day, the area around Grasse offer outstanding opportunities for hiking and outdoor activities.
The Alpes-Maritimes is one of the few French départements where you can go from the sea to the high mountains in less than an hour's drive. This exceptional geography makes it an ideal playground for adventure and thrill-seekers, from complete beginners to experienced sportsmen and women.
Paragliding is the department's signature experience. From the crests of the Cheiron at an altitude of 1800 m Gréolières, You'll take off facing a unique panorama: the Mediterranean on one side, the peaks of the Mercantour on the other. The flight lasts between 15 and 60 minutes, depending on the option you choose, and requires no particular physical condition.
A first paragliding experience in the Alpes-Maritimes is done in tandem with a qualified instructor. You don't have to do anything except enjoy the scenery. The activity is accessible from the age of 6, making it a memorable family outing.
What makes paragliding in the 06 so special is the ability to fly almost all year round. When the weather doesn't allow you to take off from Gréolières, alternative sites such as Gourdon or Roquebrune-Cap-Martin take over. This flexibility means that business can be maintained throughout the year, except in January.
Canyoning is the other great outdoor adventure in the Alpes-Maritimes. Visit Gorges du Loup, located between Grasse and Vence, offer a spectacular natural setting for discovering this activity: natural slides, jumps, abseils and swimming in clear water in an unspoilt canyon.
The discovery trail is open to beginners and families. More challenging routes are available throughout the department: Riolan canyon in the Verdon, Maglia near Saorge, or Saint-Auban for those looking for a more challenging experience. All equipment is provided, with instructors who know every nook and cranny of these gorges.
For those who want to combine the two experiences, the paragliding and canyoning combo is a unique package in the Alpes-Maritimes. Fly in the morning, descend a canyon in the afternoon: a full day of sensations between sky and water.
The hinterland of Nice is full of hiking trails for all levels. The Mercantour National Park, just an hour's drive from Nice, offers routes through unspoilt countryside. The Vallée des Merveilles, with its thousand-year-old rock engravings, the Lac d'Allos and the Crêtes du Cheiron offer memorable walks through high-mountain landscapes.
In winter, Gréolières-les-Neiges offers downhill and cross-country skiing just an hour from the coast. This family-friendly resort also has the Gréo'Luge, a toboggan run on rails that children love. It's the perfect way to enjoy the mountains without leaving the département.
The Alpes-Maritimes is packed with family-friendly activities. Whether your children are 4 or 14, you'll find experiences in the 06 that combine discovery, fun and the great outdoors.
Parc Alpha, in the heart of the Mercantour, is one of the department's most popular family attractions. Dedicated to wolves, it offers an educational trail in an exceptional natural setting. Children love it, and so do adults.
The Saint-Cézaire cave, between Grasse and the Caussols plateau, offers a fascinating underground tour. Stalactites, colourful chambers and a mysterious atmosphere: an ideal outing when the weather is capricious or when you're looking for a bit of cool in summer.
Marineland in Antibes remains a sure bet for a full day out with the family, with its marine animal shows and water attractions. At Villeneuve-Loubet, the play park and outdoor activities combine picnics and relaxation in a green setting on the banks of the River Loup.
Adventure is not just for adults in the Alpes-Maritimes. Visit paragliding from age 6 is an experience children will never forget. In a two-seater with an instructor, they discover flying in complete safety. And they often come back for more.
Le Discovery canyoning in the Gorges du Loup is also accessible to families, with a specially adapted route and professional supervision. For the little ones, accompanied nature walks in the hinterland allow you to discover the local flora and fauna effortlessly.
You don't need an unlimited budget to keep the whole family busy in the 06. The pebble beaches of Nice, the Promenade du Paillon and its water features, the coastal paths between Villefranche-sur-Mer and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat: these are just some of the free outings that will leave a lasting impression.
The markets of Provence, like the Cours Saleya in Nice or the Forville market in Cannes, These are also perfect family outings. The children discover the colours and flavours of the South, and you leave with a picnic lunch.
With over 120km of coastline, the Alpes-Maritimes offers a remarkable range of water-based activities. From idleness on pebble beaches to the most challenging water sports, the 06 seaside can be enjoyed in a thousand different ways.
Villefranche-sur-Mer boasts one of the most beautiful bays on the Côte d'Azur, with a sandy beach that is rare in the region. The Mala beach, at the foot of Cap-d'Ail, offers a confidential setting between cliffs and turquoise waters. For families, La Gravette beach in Antibes combines sand, shallow water and views of old Antibes.
Menton's beaches enjoy a unique microclimate and a quieter atmosphere than the rest of the coast. The coastal path, which runs along the coast between Cap-Martin and Monaco, This is a great way to discover coves that are only accessible on foot.
Sea kayaking is one of the best ways to explore the coastline in a different way. From Antibes, Cannes or Villefranche, you can paddle along creeks that are inaccessible by road. It's an activity that's accessible to everyone, including accompanied children.
Scuba diving is an institution in the 06. The seabed between Nice and Monaco is home to remarkable biodiversity. For those who prefer to stay on the surface, snorkelling around Cap-Ferrat or in the Roquebrune-Cap-Martin marine reserve offers an impressive underwater spectacle.
The special thing about the Alpes-Maritimes is that you can combine the mountains and the sea in the same day. In the morning, a canyon descent in the Gorges du Loup or to Bès-Courmes. In the afternoon, you can swim or kayak along the coast. Less than an hour separates the two worlds.
It is this very duality that sets the 06 apart from the rest. Visit supervised canyoning trips are a spectacular way to experience white water, before returning to the calm of the Mediterranean a few kilometres further down.
The 06 is alive with festivals and events all year round. From major international events to village festivals, the department offers a packed cultural and festive agenda, giving you one more reason to visit the region every season.
It's one of the biggest carnivals in the world and the undisputed star of winter on the Côte d'Azur. Every year in February, Nice is transformed for a fortnight with monumental float parades, flower battles, street shows and entertainment for all the family.
Carnival attracts almost a million visitors every year. The illuminated evening corsos along the Promenade des Anglais are a spectacle in their own right. This is the event that makes February one of the best months to discover Nice and the surrounding area.
Even before the end of winter, the Alpes-Maritimes are celebrating their botanical riches. In February, the mimosa festival in Mandelieu-la-Napoule transforms the town into a golden, fragrant setting. Parades of floral floats, entertainment and craft markets create a warm, authentic atmosphere.
Menton's Lemon Festival is a unique event in the world. For three weeks, the town displays monumental structures made entirely of citrus fruit. With parades, ephemeral gardens and concerts, it's a must for families and fans of original shows.
Summer transforms the département into an open-air stage. The Nice jazz festival, the Nuits du Sud in Vence, the Menton music festival: concerts and shows abound from June to September.
Cannes, in addition to its famous film festival in May, offers a host of seaside events throughout the summer. Antibes and Juan-les-Pins host Jazz à Juan, one of Europe's oldest jazz festivals. Summer evenings, from open-air concerts to night markets, are an integral part of the art of living in the 06.
It's easy to discover the Alpes-Maritimes, as long as you organise your programme carefully. Here are the keys to making the most of the département, whatever the length of your stay.
The département enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine a year, making it an all-season destination. The peak tourist season runs from April to October, with temperatures that are ideal for outdoor activities and swimming.
Winter is full of surprises: the Nice Carnival in February, skiing at Gréolières-les-Neiges, There's plenty of sunshine on the coast when the rest of France is shrouded in gloom. Paragliding and canyoning are available all year round except January, leaving eleven months in which to try your hand.
Spring (March-April) and autumn (September-October) are the ideal periods for those who want to avoid the crowds while enjoying excellent weather.
The strength of the 06 lies in its combinations. Here are two examples of days that make the most of the department's diversity:
Adventure day : paragliding in the morning from Gréolières (1800 m altitude, view of the sea and the Mercantour), lunch at Gourdon or in the Gorges du Loup, canyoning in the Gorges du Loup in the afternoon. Guaranteed thrills from sunrise to sunset.
Culture + nature day : visit to the old town of Nice and the Cours Saleya in the morning, drive to Èze and its exotic garden at midday, swim at Villefranche-sur-Mer or walk along the coastal path in the afternoon.
These combinations are possible because everything is so close. In no more than an hour's drive, you can move from one world to another. That's what makes the Alpes-Maritimes so unique in France.
Looking for an original gift idea? A paragliding or canyoning gift voucher is a memorable way to give the gift of an experience in the Alpes-Maritimes. Valid for one year, customisable and sent immediately by email, it's an out-of-the-ordinary gift for a birthday, an EVJF, an anniversary or a special occasion. EVG or simply to please.
The Alpes-Maritimes offers a concentration of experiences that is rare in France. Villages perched high above the sea, world-famous museums, the thrills of paragliding and canyoning, secret beaches, events all year round: the 06 has enough to keep you busy for a weekend or a week.
What really sets this département apart is the proximity between all these worlds. The mountains, the sea and culture can all be experienced in the same day, without long journeys. All you have to do is choose what appeals to you and go for it.
Discover the 06 from the air or from the gorges, contact our team to book your activity. Paragliding, canyoning or both: we adapt to your wishes and the weather, all year round except January.
