Gréolières-les-Neiges has a rare distinction: perched on the north face of the Cheiron, just 21 km from the sea as the crow flies, it is one of the few ski resorts where you can catch sight of the Mediterranean. Here are the viewpoints not to miss around the resort.
The Cheiron summit (1,778 m)
The highest point of the Préalpes d’Azur, with orientation tables at the top. On a clear day, the 360° panorama sweeps along the coastline from Saint-Tropez to Monaco, across the Mercantour (as far as the Gélas summit, 3,143 m) and, if you’re lucky, all the way to Corsica. From the Collet car park at the resort, allow around 8.4 km there and back via the GR4, 500 m of elevation gain, 4 hours of walking. In summer, the Huskies chairlift shortens the climb.
The road up to the resort
The drive up from the village of Gréolières (RD2 then RD802 via the Plan du Peyron) is a belvedere in its own right: the hilltop village, the Loup valley below and, in the final hairpins, glimpses out to the sea. Plan a few photo stops — carefully, on the open stretches.
The Croix de Verse (1,706 m)
On the Cheiron ridge, this summit also offers a complete panorama over the French Riviera coastline on one side and the Mercantour on the other. It sits on the ridge route; in winter, it is also a popular snowshoeing objective (about 3 h 30 from the resort).
On the way back down to the coast
- The hilltop village of Gréolières (830 m), clinging to the south face of the Cheiron, overlooks the Loup valley.
- The Loup gorges: viewpoints along the RD6, the Courmes waterfall and the Saut du Loup.
- The Col de Vence (963 m): a panorama over the sea from Nice to Cap d’Antibes, amid the baous.
Rent, climb, admire
In summer, the finest way to reach these panoramas is by electric mountain bike: the Cheiron ridge is accessible via marked trails. Bogho Sport kits you out at the foot of the slopes — rental prices here.