Nice is perfectly located in the South of France, right along the coast. As you wander the iconic Promenade des Anglais, you can enjoy pristine sea views along the entire 7 km promenade. For more natural landscapes and fewer people, you can check out the Nice Villefranche Coastal Walk also known as “Sentier du Littoral”
This beautiful coastal walk is a great way to escape the busy city and enjoy more of the incredible views that Nice has to offer.
About the Walk
Nice experiences plenty of sunshine throughout the year and fairly mild winter temperatures, which makes this beautiful coastal walk a great year-round activity. As you explore, you will come across various places to swim, enjoy a picnic, or just take in the picturesque landscapes.
The entire walk takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes. However, we have separated it into two parts so you don’t have to commit to the entire journey to Villefranche. The walk is moderately challenging, especially for the second part.
Part one has a well-maintained stone path with rocky landscapes. You will often find runners and dog walkers along this portion. To start the second part, you will have a steep set of stairs to climb, followed by a more natural path for the rest of the way.
Sneak peek
Here is a glimpse into the beautiful landscapes that you will enjoy along the way.
From Port Lympia
Your adventure starts at Port Lympia, where you walk along the quays toward the iconic restaurant Le Plongeoir. As you continue along, you will pass a variety of small beaches that are often packed with locals or snorkeling enthusiasts. Continue on until you reach Jardin Félix Rainaud, a garden-like lookout with beautiful views of the sea.
From here, your adventure truly begins as you follow the rocky cliff path, passing people fishing, sunbathing, and jumping from the cliffs into the crystal blue waters. At the end of part one, you will reach an open area perfect for a relaxing picnic. Here, you will also find a “swimming pool” in the sea, with a ladder to help you get in and out of the water.
If you wish to continue the coastal walk to Villefranche, you’ll need to backtrack a little to reach the stairs. However, if you wish to return to Nice, you’ll need to take the same path back to Port Lympia.
Towards Villefranche
To start the next part, you will have a steep set of stairs to climb, but fortunately, the view from the top is worth the effort. At the top, you will reach a main road, which you will follow along, enjoying the beautiful views until you reach the stairs to continue down onto the path.
As you follow along the coast, you will pass by an old war bunker, ruins, fishing piers, and great places for snorkeling. This section of the path is much quieter, so you can take your time and enjoy the picturesque landscapes. The path can be fairly uneven and quite narrow in areas, so be careful as you go along.
The path ends at a road in a fairly quiet area just outside the city. You will continue along until you reach Plage de la Darse, where you can decide whether to catch a bus back to Nice or continue along the road toward the charming village. From this beach, you can also walk out to the lighthouse for a view of the village.
Exploring Villefranche-sur-Mer
Villefranche is a picturesque resort town that combines luxury with sea relaxation. Explore the colorful streets to discover boutique shops and small bakeries. Much of the architecture in the village dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries, which adds to its charm.
A highlight of the village is the port, which is lined with a variety of seaside restaurants and bars serving fresh seafood dishes and delicious cocktails. Villefranche is situated in a cove, which means beautiful views and calmer waters for swimming.
In the summer, many people take the train to Villefranche to enjoy the long stretch of beach. The beach here is a mixture of sand and rocks, depending on where you are. Since the village is a popular resort town, it does quiet down quite a bit during the winter months, so keep that in mind if you’re hoping to treat yourself to a meal after your coastal adventure.
There you have it—everything you need to start exploring more of the incredible landscapes of the area. There are plenty of other great coastal walks to check out just outside of Nice. If you’re looking to explore and enjoy the sunshine, these walks are a great activity.