Beginners' Guides
03/03/2026
Mont Azur lies in the heart of the Préalpes d'Azur, in the Alpes-Maritimes. Between the Mediterranean Sea and the peaks of the Mercantour, this unspoilt area offers one of the most varied natural settings in the south of France. Just over an hour from Nice, it's an ideal base for combining wild nature, outdoor adventure and Provencal heritage.
In practical terms, the Mont Azur region offers a whole host of different experiences in a single day. You can watch European bison and Przewalski's horses on safari at the Monts d'Azur Reserve, fly over the Pre-Alps on a paragliding experience at Gréolières, descend the Gorges du Loup canyoning, or simply strolling through hilltop villages such as Gourdon or Thorenc. Each season brings its own discoveries: the stag roaring in autumn, panoramic hikes in spring, paragliding in summer, and even snowshoe safaris in winter.
This guide has been written by the Ailéments team, who have been based in Gréolières for over ten years. You'll find a selection of field-tested activities, places to visit nearby, practical advice on organising your outing and ideas for combinations to make the most of the region, whether you're coming as a family, a couple or with friends.
The Monts d'Azur Biological Reserve is the area's star attraction. Located in Thorenc, in the commune of Andon, this 700-hectare nature reserve is home to free-roaming animals found nowhere else on the Côte d'Azur. It is a unique place in Europe, dedicated to the rewilding of European fauna in a preserved ecosystem.
The safari by horse-drawn carriage is the most popular option in the reserve. Accompanied by a naturalist guide, you will meet European bison, Przewalski's horses, deer, elk and many species of birds. The walk lasts around two hours and takes place in the middle of rolling countryside where the animals live in semi-liberty.
For the more adventurous, the reserve also offers a walking safari. This option allows you to get closer to the wildlife and observe the local flora at close quarters. Allow half a day to make the most of this guided tour.
In winter, the experience changes completely. The reserve organises snowshoe and sleigh safaris, offering a striking snowy backdrop and a wildlife encounter in almost total silence.
Every year, from mid-September to mid-October, the Monts d'Azur Reserve opens its doors in the evening for the stag bellowing. This natural spectacle is one of the most impressive you can experience in the Alpes-Maritimes. The deep, powerful sound of the stags echoes through the valleys as night falls. The reserve offers supervised outings to witness this rare moment, in small groups and with total respect for the animals.
Practical tip: places for the brame can be booked several weeks in advance. Bring warm clothes and closed shoes, as autumn evenings are cool at altitude in the Préalpes d'Azur.
Just a few minutes from Mont Azur, Gréolières is one of the most famous paragliding sites in the Alpes-Maritimes. It is here, at the foot of the Cheiron massif, that the Ailéments team offers first paragliding flights all year round, except January.
Take-off is from the heights of Gréolières, at an altitude of around 1,800 metres. From the very first seconds of flight, the panorama opens up onto two horizons: the Mediterranean Sea to the south and the snow-capped peaks of the Mercantour to the north. This panoramic view between sea and mountains is one of the great assets of the site.
The flight lasts between 15 and 60 minutes, depending on the package chosen. You don't need to be in any particular physical condition: the state-qualified instructor manages the take-off, flight and landing. All you have to do is enjoy the scenery. The activity is accessible from the age of 6, making it an ideal family outing. Whether you come from Varand Alpes-Maritimes or even Bouches du Rhône, Gréolieres is the benchmark spot for free flight.
One of the advantages of the proximity between the Monts d'Azur Reserve and Gréolières is that you can combine the two experiences in the same day. A safari in a horse-drawn carriage in the morning to observe bison and Przewalski's horses, followed by a paragliding experience in the afternoon to take in the breathtaking views over the Pre-Alps. Few regions in France offer this diversity of activities in such a short distance.
For those who want to go further, Ailéments also offers a paragliding and canyoning combo which offers two complementary outdoor adventures during a stay in the region.
The Gorges du Loup are one of the most spectacular canyons in the Alpes-Maritimes. Located around thirty minutes from Mont Azur, they offer an exceptional natural playground for thrill-seekers and beginners alike.
The course runs along the water, between waterfalls, natural pools and rocky passages. You'll alternate between natural slides, jumps into clear pools and abseiling down walls. The setting is breathtaking: the river has been carving away at the rock for thousands of years, creating a deep gorge where the light plays with the water and the stone.
At Ailéments, outings canyoning in the Gorges du Loup are supervised by qualified instructors. All equipment is provided: wetsuit, helmet, harness. The activity is accessible to beginners in good physical condition and is ideal for groups, EVJFs, EVGs or family outings.
Where the Monts d'Azur Reserve offers a contemplative discovery of the fauna and paragliding an aerial experience, canyoning adds a sporting and aquatic dimension. The three activities are the perfect combination for a weekend or holiday in the Préalpes d'Azur.
To explore other nearby canyons, including the Saint-Auban or the canyoning in Castellane At the gateway to the Gorges du Verdon, the Ailéments team will advise you by telephone, according to your level and your wishes.
The area around Mont Azur is full of characterful villages, clinging to the ridges of the Préalpes d'Azur. Each offers a different view of the landscape, between sea and mountains, and is well worth a stop-off on your excursion to the region.
Perched 760 metres above the Gorges du Loup, Gourdon offers one of the most spectacular panoramic views of the Nice region. From the château's belvedere, you can see all the way from the Mediterranean coast to the peaks of the Pre-Alps. The old village takes just an hour to explore on foot, with its cobbled streets, local craftsmen and hanging gardens. It's also a paragliding site that Ailéments instructors use as an alternative when the weather doesn't allow you to fly from Gréolières.
Gréolières is much more than just a flying site. This authentic village, nestling at the foot of the Cheiron mountain, is the starting point for numerous hikes and nature walks. In winter, the resort of Gréolières les Neiges offers downhill skiing, Nordic skiing and tobogganing. In summer, the mountain trails offer panoramic views of the Mediterranean and the Mercantour. This is also where you'll find the Ailéments school and workshop, on the edge of the landing. To find out more about activities in Gréolières, see our dedicated guide.
Thorenc, a hamlet of Andon, is the closest village to the Monts d'Azur Reserve. Its tranquil setting and altitude make it a pleasant base from which to explore the area. Not far away, the nature centre at Saint-Auban offers family-friendly outdoor activities.
A little further north, in the Mercantour valley, Parc Alpha offers a unique encounter with wolves in their natural habitat. This wolf centre is an ideal family outing to combine with the Réserve des Monts d'Azur for a full day out discovering the local wildlife.
The Parc naturel régional des Préalpes d'Azur covers a vast area around Mont Azur, offering a varied and well-marked network of hiking trails. Whether you're looking for an accessible walk or a more challenging itinerary, there's no shortage of options.
The Cheiron massif rises to 1,778 metres. From Gréolières, a number of paths lead up to the ridges, offering breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea, the valleys of the middle country and the peaks of the Mercantour. The ascent to the summit of Le Cheiron is a classic of hiking in the Alpes-Maritimes: allow around 3 hours round trip for a moderate gradient. At the summit, the 360-degree panorama is worth every step.
For less experienced walkers, the loop around the Caussols plateau offers a gentler walk over open terrain, with uninterrupted views of the Pre-Alps and the coastline.
The Préalpes d'Azur Regional Nature Park has trails to suit all abilities. A number of routes starting from Gréolières or Thorenc are accessible to children and allow them to discover the local flora, typical geological formations of the massif and remarkable viewpoints without technical difficulty.
The advantage of this area is the diversity of landscapes within a very short distance. In just an hour's walk, you can go from a forest of holm oaks to an open limestone plateau, then on to a belvedere offering a breathtaking view of the coast. It's also the ideal spot for a picnic in the heart of nature, away from the crowds of the coastline.
To find out more about hiking and outdoor activities in the area, consult our guide what to do in the Gorges du Loup which covers trails and excursions in the neighbouring region.
Preparing well for your trip to the Préalpes d'Azur will help you get the most out of the region. Here is some essential information to help you organise your visit.
Each season offers a different experience around Mont Azur.
In spring and summer, conditions are ideal for paragliding, canyoning, hiking and walking safaris. This is high season for outdoor activities, and the long days make it possible to combine several outings. In autumn, the stag roaring in the Monts d'Azur Reserve is an exceptional event, and the colours of the Pre-Alps are magnificent. It's also a quieter time of year, ideal for lovers of unspoilt nature. In winter, Gréolières les Neiges offers skiing and the reserve organises snowshoe and sleigh safaris.
The weather in the region is generally mild, but temperatures can drop rapidly at higher altitudes. Always bring a windbreaker and closed shoes, even in summer.
Mont Azur and the surrounding area can be reached by car from Nice in around 1 hour 15 minutes, via the Gorges du Loup road or Coursegoules. Free parking is available at the entrance to the Monts d'Azur Reserve.
For a full day, here's a sample itinerary: horse-drawn carriage safari in the morning (2h to 3h), lunch on site or at Thorenc, then paragliding at Gréolières in the afternoon (allow 2h with briefing and flight). If you're staying for a weekend, add a canyoning trip and a visit to Gourdon on the following day.
Around Mont Azur, a number of restaurants offer simple, generous local cuisine based on regional produce. In Thorenc and the surrounding villages, you'll find inns and restaurants serving Provençal specialities. Local markets, particularly in Grasse, These are also an opportunity to discover the local produce: goat's cheese, olive oil and mountain honey.
For a quick lunch in the heart of nature, pack a picnic: several shaded areas around Gréolières and the reserve are perfect for this.
The area around Mont Azur offers a diversity of experiences that is rare in the Alpes-Maritimes. In a single day, you can go from a safari among the European bison to a paragliding flight overlooking the Mediterranean, explore hilltop villages steeped in history or descend a canyon along the river. Whether you're with family, friends or looking for a thrill, this part of the Préalpes d'Azur has something to surprise you every season.
To discover paragliding or canyoning with passionate instructors who know every breeze in the region, call the Ailéments team on 06 87 68 71 90. You can also offer this experience with a gift voucher valid for one year, or consult all the activities on offer on the site.
