Azure Pre-Alps · Alpes-Maritimes

What to do around the Monts d'Azur Reserve : activities, visits and panoramas in the Préalpes d'Azur

Nature reserve 700 hectares · 1h15 from Nice. Safari carriage, paragliding Gréolières, canyoning in the Gorges du Loup, hilltop village Gourdon. A wild, unspoilt setting just an hour from the coast.

  • Reserve 700 ha
  • Safari from age 4
  • Red deer rut September-October
  • Four seasons
Réserve des Monts d'Azur, Maritime Alps, Southern France, 700 hectares of wild nature Nature · 06
  • Surface700 hectares · Thorenc
  • From Nice1 hour 15 minutes · Gorges du Loup
  • Safari carriage2h · from 4 years
  • Cheiron Summit1,778 m · 3h return trip
  • SpecialityDeer rut · September-October

Le Mount Azur is located in the heart of Pré-Alps of the Azure, in the Alpes-Maritimes. Nestled between the Mediterranean Sea and the peaks of the Mercantour, this unspoilt area offers one of the most diverse natural settings in the south of France.

A little over'one hour from Nice, This is the ideal starting point for combining wild nature, outdoor adventure and Provençal heritage. Monts d'Azur Reserve (700 hectares) offers horse-drawn carriage safaris to observe semi-wild bison, deer, and Przewalski's horses.

All around: paragliding since Gréolières 1400 (take-off 1,800 m), canyoning in Gorges du Loup (from age 10), hike to Cheiron (1,778m), hilltop villages Gourdon and Pont du Loup.

This field guide is written by Pierre-Yves Fenet, a DEJEPS-qualified instructor based at Gréolières since 2013. He knows the area like the back of his hand.

Safari carriage Reserve of the Monts d'Azur animal observation Prealps
Nature reserve

La Réserve des Monts d'Azur: 700 hectares of wild nature

Private nature reserve of 700 hectares in the commune of Andon/Thorenc. European bison, red deer, Przewalski's horses, wild boar in semi-freedom. Main activity: carriage safari, accessible from 4 years old.

Flagship activity
Carriage

Horse-drawn carriage safari · 2 hours

2-hour horse-drawn carriage tour through the Reserve. Wildlife observation bison, deer and Przewalski's horses on conditional release.

From 4 years old, ideal for families. Possible to go out in all seasons, weather permitting. Booking recommended in advance during summer.

Gentle walk

Walking Safari · 2-3 hours

Alternative to a horse-drawn carriage for walking enthusiasts. Marked trail in the Reserve, accompanied by a nature guide.

A more immersive approach, ideal for photographic observation. Walking shoes recommended.

Mid-September to mid-October

Stag rut · spectacular

Peak season for nature enthusiasts. Deer rutting season in September-October Emotion guaranteed at dusk.

Special Red Deer Rutting Event organised by the Reserve. Booking essential, limited capacity.

Outdoor 4 seasons

Paragliding, canyoning & hiking: all around the Reserve

The Monts d'Azur region is an ideal playground for combining a nature safari with sports activities. Our school Accessories is based 30 minutes from the Reserve.

30 minutes from the Reserve

Paragliding Gréolières 1400

Take-off at 1 800 m, Views of the Baie des Anges and Préalpes. Flights all year round except January.

Christenings from 15 to 60 min, from 100 € (Child flightCombine with the safari for a memorable day.

From age 10

Canyoning Gorges du Loup

The most beautiful canyon in the Alpes-Maritimes at 20 min from the Reserve. Discovery level from 10 years old, €55/person.

Jumps, slides, abseils adapted to your level. Supervised by qualified instructors. Season May to October.

Iconic summit

Cheiron Hike · 1,778 m

Iconic summit of the Azur Prealps. A three-hour return trip, moderate elevation gain, 360° panorama of the Alps-Mediterranean.

Marked trail, accessible to experienced hikers. Ideal in spring and autumn.

Ailéments nearby

Paragliding 30 minutes from the Reserve

Our school Ailéments is based at Gréolières, 30 minutes from the Réserve des Monts d'Azur. Over 6,000 volumes completed No serious accidents since 2013, +1070 5/5 reviews.

Ideal for combining a day in nature: morning carriage safari + afternoon first paragliding experience. See also Paragliding school PACA.

Do you have a question? Contact us you call the 06 87 68 71 90.

Book a flight
Paragliding in the Préalpes d'Azur near the Monts d'Azur Nature Reserve Ailéments DEJEPS
Our formulas

Book your adventure in the Pre-Alps

From discovery canyoning to Prestige flight 30 mins: our packages for exploring the Parc National des Monts d'Azur in outdoor mode.

Discovery Canyoning

From 10 years · Gorges du Loup

55 €

Gorges du Loup initiation canyon. 20 minutes from the Reserve.

Book

Ascending flight

15-20 min · From 6 years old

140 €

First-time paragliding experience. Can be combined with a horse-drawn carriage tour.

Book

Para+Canyon Bundle

A day · 2 activities

190 €

Tandem paragliding and canyon descent in one day.

Book

Prestige flight

30 min · Free video

250 €

30-minute XL flight with included 4K souvenir video.

Book
Hilltop villages

Heritage and villages of the Préalpes d'Azur

Around the Reserve, discover several hilltop villages and remarkable sites to visit in half a day. Combine with safari and outdoor activities.

Gourdon 760 m

Most Beautiful Villages in France. Panoramic view of the Côte d'Azur from its terrace. Artisans, perfumery, gardens. 30 mins from the Reserve.

Pont du Loup Waterfalls

Courmes Waterfall 60m, Wolf's Leap, Florian Confectionery. Nature walk suitable for families. Can be combined with the Gorges du Loup canyon.

Thorenc & Andon

High-altitude villages (1,000 m), starting point for the Reserve. Partner accommodation On-site. Local food and produce.

Gréolières 1400 Station

All-season ski resort in 30 minutes. 30 km of slopes in winter, paragliding all year round, Gréo'Luge on rails. Main site Ailéments.

Offer an activity

The adventure gift voucher in the Prealps

Offer a paragliding or canyoning gift voucher Around the Monts d'Azur: valid for 1 year, customisable, sent by email. Ideal for EVJF/EVG Happy birthday.

Do you have a question? Contact us.

Order a gift voucher
Outdoor adventure gift voucher: Préalpes d'Azur, Monts d'Azur (1–3 years)
On video

Gréolières-les-Neiges on video

The flight over Gréolières-les-Neiges and the Mont-Azur ski area.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about the Monts d'Azur

Access, duration, activities, families, winter: everything to help you plan your visit.

The Monts d'Azur Reserve is located in the Alpes-Maritimes department in southeastern France.

La Réserve des Monts d'Azur is located in the heart of the Pré-Alps of the Azure, in the Alpes-Maritimes, in the commune of'Andon/Thorenc.

Around 1 hour 15 minutes from Nice along the road of Gorges du Loup. Private nature reserve of 700 hectares.

Is La Réserve des Monts d'Azur suitable for families?

Yes, it's even one of the most popular family outings for Alpes-Maritimes. Horse-drawn carriage safari from age 4, observation of bison, deer, and Przewalski's horses in semi-freedom.

Gentle activities, no difficult walking. Ideal with children.

How long to allow for a visit?

Count 2 to 3 hours for a safari (horse-drawn carriage or on foot). To combine with other activities (paragliding Gréolières, The Loup Gorges and Cheiron hike will take the whole day.

Accommodation is available in Thorenc, Andon or Gréolières.

Are there any remarkable panoramas?

Yes, several: the Cheiron summit (1,778m, 3h return trip), the perched village of Gourdon (760m, listed as one of the Most Beautiful Villages of France).

And of course, the flights in paragliding from Gréolières (take-off at 1,800 m), offering unrivalled views of the Alps and the Mediterranean.

Do you need a car to visit?

Yes, Highly recommended. Public transport to the Préalpes d'Azur is very limited outside the ski season.

The car park at the entrance to the Reserve is free. Allow 1 hour 15 minutes from Nice, 1 hour from Grasse.

Can this be combined with a paragliding baptism?

Yes, it's even an excellent idea. The paragliding take-off Gréolières is at 30 minutes from the Reserve.

Flights all year round (except January), tandem flights from €100 to €250. A paragliding morning + afternoon safari = a memorable day.

Is canyoning accessible to beginners?

Yes, the canyon of the Gorges du Loup is ideal for beginners Discovery level from 10 years old, €55 per person.

Jumps, slides and abseiling tailored to the group’s ability. Supervised by qualified Ailéments instructors. Season: May to October.

What options are there in winter?

In winter, the Reserve offers Snowshoe safaris or sleigh rides in the snow (snow cover permitting). The resort of Gréolières 1400 (30 km of slopes) is 30 minutes away.

Paragliding is possible 11 months a year, except for January.

Is there accommodation on site?

Yes, accommodation in Thorenc, Andon and Gréolières (Auberge Alpina, Gîte des Deux Roches, La Maison du Loup).

For groups or 5-day paragliding courses, partner accommodation is available on a twin-sharing basis.

In summary

The essentials of the Monts d'Azur

4 reasons to visit the Reserve and its surroundings for a nature day out.

  1. 1

    Nature reserve 700 hectares, 1 hour 15 minutes from Nice.

    Bison, deer, Przewalski's horses in semi-freedom. Safari carriage from 4 years old, Ideal for families. Spectacular deer rut in September-October.

  2. 2

    Paragliding 30 min · Take-off 1,800 m

    School Ailéments – FFVL-certified à Gréolières 1400. Christenings from €100, Bay of Angels view. Safari + paragliding combo = memorable day.

  3. 3

    Canyoning Ggendes du Loup (20 mins away)

    Most beautiful canyon in the Alpes-Maritimes. From 10 years old, €55/person. Jumps, slides, abseils. Season May to October.

  4. 4

    Perched villages and heritage

    Gourdon (Most Beautiful Villages of France), Pont du Loup Cascade de Courmes (60m), Thorenc, Andon. Partner accommodation on-site.

Looking for more adventure in the Alpes-Maritimes?