Located in the hinterland of Grasse, the village of Gourdon in the Alpes-Maritimes is a medieval fortress. A typical, listed village, it is an ideal place to stroll and discover many small local shops and craft workshops. Gourdon is also well known for its unique panoramic view of the Mediterranean and the surrounding countryside, in particular the Gorges du Loup. From Gourdon, you can go to the Pont-du-Loup or the waterfalls of the Saut du Loup, two remarkable sites to visit.
A typical Provencal village, among the most beautiful villages in France
The small perched village of Gourdon in the Alpes-Maritimes is one of the sites recognised and labelled “most beautiful villages in France”, because of their remarkable heritage. Indeed, Gourdon is a very typical Provencal village, with beautifully restored houses. You will enjoy strolling through its narrow streets. You will find many shops and craft shops, such as a glass factory, a crystal factory, a cabinet maker or perfumeries.
Gourdon is a medieval stronghold, with its castle built in the 9th century and rebuilt in the 17th century to its current appearance. It has magnificent gardens, which offer a unique panorama with the Mediterranean as a backdrop. It is not open to visitors, but it is nevertheless a remarkable place and a site to know. It houses gîtes and reception rooms and offers high quality services.
In addition to the castle, Gourdon has a superb Romanesque church, built in the 12th century. At the time it was a chapel for the castle. It is now independent and listed as a religious heritage site in Provence. Finally, the most beautiful treasure of Gourdon is surely its panoramic view, which you can enjoy from the Place Victoria.
A balcony on the surrounding nature and the Mediterranean
Perched on a rocky outcrop at an altitude of 760 m, the picturesque village of Gourdon offers a breathtaking view of the Loup gorges and the Mediterranean Sea. The Loup is a small Provencal river that flows locally in a canyon, the Gorges du Loup. From the Place Victoria, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the steep cliffs and below the Pont-du-Loup, a green valley planted with olive trees, orange trees and plants used to make the famous perfumes of Grasse.
Gourdon also offers a unique view of the Mediterranean Sea. Sometimes mistaken for the sky on the horizon, it is nevertheless the Riviera that you will contemplate from the Place Victoria. In front of your eyes, 80 km of coastline unfold in the distance, from Nice to the Gulf of La Napoule, in Théoule-sur-Mer near Cannes. The belvedere at Place Victoria is equipped with binoculars to better enjoy this exceptional view.
The waterfalls, the bridge and the Loup gorges
From Gourdon, you can go and discover the natural and patrimonial wealth that surrounds the small river Loup. In particular, you can visit the two remarkable sites of the Loup and Pont-du-Loup waterfalls. The site of the waterfalls can be reached in a quarter of an hour by road. From here you can also reach the Pont-du-Loup by road, where you can admire the remains of an old railway viaduct. This line regularly brought Queen Victoria, who gave her name to the village square of Gourdon.
For the more courageous, the Pont-du-Loup can be reached on foot from Gourdon by a steep hiking trail called “Chemin du Paradis”. This path, partially paved, has a difference in altitude of just over 500 metres and links Gourdon to Bar-sur-Loup, from where you can easily reach the Pont-du-Loup. But beware, this path is particularly steep and narrow, and requires good physical fitness and adequate equipment.
If you prefer to go to the Pont-du-Loup site by car, then you can take the opportunity to go a little further and discover the Gorges du Loup route. A tourist route allows you to go along the gorges of the Loup, following a loop. It starts at Pont-du-Loup, then takes you to the typical villages of Tourrettes-sur-Loup, Vence, Saint-Paul-de-Vence and then La Colle-sur-Loup. You will be amazed by the unique and remarkable landscape offered to your eyes along the way by the Loup gorges.
Also, if you wish to visit the small village of Gourdon and its surroundings, do not hesitate to call upon our services of high quality car rental with private chauffeur VTC. Our experienced staff will take you wherever you wish and will compose with your desires. If you wish, they will drop you off in Gourdon and remain at your disposal to pick you up after your visit of the village and to collect your possible purchases. Thanks to their perfect knowledge of the area, they will also be able to help you discover the unique natural heritage of the Loup valley from Gourdon. Whatever your wishes, you can be sure of a comfortable journey in a luxury vehicle driven by an experienced driver who is committed to providing you with the best possible experience, comfort and safety.
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