From the Mountains to the Sea Across France’s Most Beautiful National Parks

Mont Blanc to the Mediterranean

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This hiker’s dream journey brings us from mighty Mont Blanc to the palmfringed Cote d’Azur, where the jagged Alps plunge into the blue Mediterranean. Along the way, we witness dramatic changes in the culture, scenery, and ecosystems with each new hiking day. Setting off with sweeping panoramas of Mont Blanc’s snowy summit, we hike in high meadows where cowbells echo and blue gentian grows. Heading south, partly on the legendary GR5 trail that traverses Europe, we cross two national parks (Vanoise and Mercantour) and enter the brightly colored hill hamlets that announce that the Mediterranean is near. When we finally arrive on the welcoming Cote d’Azur, we kick off our hiking boots and head for a celebratory swim in the sea!

Below is an Itinerary-in-Brief. To view a complete Detailed Itinerary, Download Full Itinerary or Email our Area Specialist

Itinerary-in-Brief

Days 1-2
Megève / Mont Blanc

We gather in Megève, a charming alpine resort with a wellpreserved old town center of classic Savoy charm. Our first hike is along a spectacular ridge to Mont Joly (8,282'), with breathtaking views of Mont Blanc (15,770') and panoramas of the Savoie Pre-Alps and peaks of the Vanoise on the horizon.

Days 3-6
Vanoise National Park

Our hike up to Col de Bresson (8,098') offers impressive vistas of the southern flanks of the Mont Blanc Range, the monolith of Pierra Menta (8,902'), and the summits of the Parc National de la Vanoise. We then enter the Vanoise itself, which preserves the wild eastern section of the Vanoise Massif, home to ibex, chamois, and golden eagles. We hike among azure tarns and glaciercarved valleys for the best views in the Vanoise, including the rounded Dômes de Vanoise and the impressive Grande Casse (12,644'). Two overnights are in the village of PralognanenVanoise, the Savoy’s mountaineering capital, surrounded by 10,000foot peaks.

Days 7-8
Briançon / Ecrins National Park

Sunny Briançon is an enchanting town whose narrow streets are full of history. This is the perfect spot for an exploration day, and we also offer an optional hike up to Le Grand Aréa (9,411') surrounded by the extraordinary natural beauty of Ecrins National Park for an irresistible panorama from Mont Blanc in the north to Mont Viso on the mountainous FrenchItalian frontier.

Days 9-10
Queyras / St. Martin-en-Vesubie

Crossing the Col des Ayes (8,124'), we enter the regional park of Queyras, one of the most remote areas of France, and traverse flower-covered meadows to the Col Cross, where herds of mountain sheep roam. Overnights in Arvieux, on one of the most famous Tour de France mountain passes, and delightful St. Martin-en-Vesubie, with its outdoor market and cobbled streets.

Days 11-13
Mercantour National Park

Right along the Italian border, Mercantour is fantastic for hiking, with its tiny perched villages, steep peaks, forests of holm oak, and renowned Vallee des Merveilles, an open-air museum of rock engravings dating from the Bronze Age. One overnight is at Refuge des Merveilles, beautifully situated among three alpine lakes.

Days 14-15
Menton / Nice

After a last hike and lunch in the beautiful perched village of Saorge, we head to the coast for a wellearned swim at the beach in front of our hotel. Depart from Nice on Day 15

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Tour Costs $4795 (13-15 members) $5095 (10-12 members) $5395 (6-9 members) Single supplement: $520 *Prices are for 2008 dates only **Airfare is not included in Tour Cost unless indicated

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