Vence half-day hike to millennial oak tree, French Riviera

I invite you to join me on a half-day hike around Vence, close to the French Riviera. On this trip, you will get to see a millennial oak tree, a very nice medieval village perched above the French Riviera, great views from the hilltops, and many surprising pieces of evidence of 4000 years of human presence, from the Copper Age period to the more recent shepherds and farming life.

Baous is the local name for the small hills and cliffs in Provence and in the southern French Alps near Nice, Cannes, and the very famous village of Saint Paul de Vence on the French Riviera. These small mountains are renowned among the locals as they are easy to climb and offer fantastic views.

Located about 40 minutes from Nice, this is a great nature getaway, especially in the off-season, during the spring and autumn months. We usually avoid the summer time as it is too hot.

Broad views of the Mediterranean coastline and on the high alpine peaks of the large Mercantour National Park in the north make this trip extra enjoyable. Landscapes are quite diverse with an oak tree forest, Provencal limestone hills covered with rosemary, thyme, and sage,  and ancient terraced fields.  The highlight of this hike is getting to the millennial oak tree that stands tall as the objective of our adventure, and also discovering the archeological remains of the first stone fortress made by humans, perched on top of the hill.

The hike lasts around 3,5 hours and includes a 450 meters ascent. You have to be a bit fit to keep the pace, as the trail is a little steep, but anyone is welcome to join.

Send me a request if you want to join me on this half-day hike in Vence. Book your trip and enjoy a great hiking tour. If you wish to spend a full day on this hike, taking more time and visiting the two Baous of La Gaude and Saint Jeannet, you can book the full-day trip that I also guide.