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The Best Countryside Drives
From Carcassonne to Albi (Languedoc-Roussillon): From the walled city of Carcassonne, D118 takes you north into the Montagne Noire (Black Mountains), which are both arid and lush in parts, marking the southeastern extension of the Massif Central. You can spend a full day here exploring the Parc Régional du Haut-Languedoc, crowned by the 1,110m (3,700-ft.) Pic de Noire. Base yourself in the old wool town of Mazamet and have lunch before continuing northwest on N112 to Castres, with its Goya Museum. Then you can continue exploring the surrounding area or head for Albi, 40km (25 miles) away, the hometown of Toulouse-Lautrec.
From St-Rémy-de-Provence to Eygalières (Provence): A 64km (40-mile) drive northeast of Arles takes you into some of the most dramatic and forlorn countryside in Provence, even to the Val d'Enfer (Valley of Hell). First leave St-Rémy-de-Provence going south on D99A, and connect to D99. At the beginning of the tour, you pass Roman monuments before climbing into the hills, with their distant views of the Parc Naturel Régional de la Camargue and Mont Ventoux. The tour also takes you to Les Baux, the most dramatically situated town in Provence and today a gourmet citadel. Then follow D99 for 7km (4 1/3 miles) to D74 south, which takes you directly into Eygalières, with its medieval castle and church.
Along the Ours Peak Road (Western Riviera): The best driving tour in the area starts in St-Raphaël and lasts for only 56km (35 miles), but because the terrain is so rough and torturous, allow at least 3 hours. The views are among the most dramatic along the Côte d'Azur, as you traverse a backdrop of the red porphyry slopes of Rastel d'Agay. Along the way, you'll go through the passes of Evèque and Lentisques. Eventually, hairpin bends in the road lead to the summit of Ours Peak (Pic de l'Ours), at 488m (1,627 ft.), and you're rewarded with a superb panorama.
From Vence to Grasse (Western and Eastern Riviera): After calling on the Matisse chapel in Vence, you can take D2210 through some of the most luxuriant countryside along the French Riviera, with views of the Gorges du Loup, and a stopover in the artisans' village of Tourrettes-sur-Loup, where the main street is filled with the ateliers of craftspeople. As you continue, follow the signs to Point-du-Loup and you'll be rewarded with a panorama of waterfalls; later you will pass fields of flowers that eventually lead to the perfume center of Grasse.
From Nice to Mont Chauve (Eastern Riviera): The hilltops surrounding Nice have long been known for their colorful villages and rural scenery. In our view, the best countryside and the best panoramas unfold by driving to Mont Chauve (Bald Mountain) across a circuit that traverses 53km (33 miles). You can stop at several villages along the way, including Aspremont and Tourette-Levens. You'll even pass the Gorges du Gabres, with its sheer walls of limestone, before reaching the enchanting village of Falicon. Eventually you'll come to Mont Chauve. Allow at least 30 minutes to hike to the summit. Leave Nice via av. du Ray heading north, which connects to route D14 north, and then follow the signs to Mont Chauve.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
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