Villages, perfume and panoramas of the Western Riviera

Leave the busy port behind and head into the hills of the Western Côte d’Azur: medieval stone villages, artists, and the smell of jasmine. This private tour is designed for cruise passengers. We handle the timing, so you can enjoy the day without watching the clock.

Mougins, the garden village

The day starts in Mougins, a medieval village built in a spiral that looks like a film set.

• Flower-filled streets and ochre houses that once won over Pablo Picasso.
• A village known around the world for its food and its art.

Grasse, world capital of perfume

Next comes the valley of flowers. Grasse has been at the center of the perfume industry for centuries.

• Historic streets, scented fountains and sunny squares.
• A free guided tour of the Fragonard Perfumery, where you learn how scent is extracted from petals.

Gourdon, the eagle’s nest

Gourdon is listed among the « Most Beautiful Villages in France ».

• At 760 meters above sea level, it looks out over the whole Riviera, from Nice to Théoule-sur-Mer.
• A Romanesque church, a medieval fortress, and artisans who keep Provençal glasswork and linen traditions alive.

Lavender and the Gorge du Loup

• Lavender fields (in season): when the lavender is in bloom, we stop at a field for the classic Provence photo.
• Gorge du Loup: the road winds through this limestone canyon of sheer cliffs and green vegetation, past the Saut du Loup waterfalls.

Why book this tour privately

• Your pace: take your time over a lavender ice cream in Gourdon, or stay longer at the perfumery.
• Timed for your cruise: we plan the day around your ship’s « All Aboard » time.
• A local guide who knows the history and the places large groups never see.
• A private, air-conditioned vehicle, away from the heat and hassle of public transport.

Ready for a day in the hills of Provence? Contact us to adapt this itinerary and book your private guide.

Guy Alfonsi. Born in Nice, 20+ years of guiding. TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence since 2014.