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Mountain Train: Discover Historic Alpine Villages
5.0
101 Ratings
Nice
Embark on a scenic train journey through the Alps, explore historic villages, and trek mystical forests with hidden gems and stunning landscapes.
Embark on a scenic train journey through the Alps, explore historic villages, and trek mystical forests with hidden gems and stunning landscapes.
Duration:
13 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
-
Chemin de Fer de Provence - Starting and ending location.
Just a 2-minute walk away is the historic train station, now a vibrant street food market. This delightful area is home to a popular local food market. - Southern French Alps - This historic train line travels through the southern Alps along the Var River, the ancient border between…
- Chemin de Fer de Provence - Starting and ending location.
Just a 2-minute walk away is the historic train station, now a vibrant street food market. This delightful area is home to a popular local food market.
- Southern French Alps - This historic train line travels through the southern Alps along the Var River, the ancient border between France and the Italian Kingdom of Savoy. It showcases remarkable French civil engineering from the early 20th century. A small train journey that is a must-see, offering stunning scenery and landscapes.
2 hours uphill; 2 hours downhill (or less)
- Entrevaux - Classified Village: Recognized as one of France’s most beautiful medieval villages, it is a highlight of the Nice countryside, featuring a castle that served as a natural and manmade fortress of the French Kingdom. A must-visit!
The village provides breathtaking views of the Alps and surrounding canyons. Visitors can walk uphill to the Castle (a challenging 150 meters) and enjoy a short hike downhill.
Discover stories of wars, significant historical borders, and medieval monuments (Vauban’s fortified town).
The Cathedral is magnificent!
-
Cathedrale Notre Dame de l’Assomption d`Entrevaux - A baroque and gothic gem, this monument is truly surprising!
- La Citadelle d’Entrevaux - One of France’s most impressive perched medieval castles, fortified by Vauban (minister of Louis XIV). Optional: good physical condition is required for the uphill climb (stairs).
An impregnable fortress and a wonderful panoramic viewpoint!
A short downhill hike is possible (30 minutes).
- Entrevaux - In Entrevaux or Annot, the guide will select a great restaurant for lunch.
- Annot - An authentic medieval village with troglodyte caves, mystical forests, meteor showers, amazing hikes, nature, and panoramic views (hiking option available depending on weather and season).
From mid-October to early April, if the group opts out of the long hike, the guide may adjust the itinerary to visit another village in the Alps and return to Nice earlier by bus (1 hour), arriving at 7 pm.
- Barrême - ONLY FOR LAVENDER EXPERIENCE OPTION: Guests will be taken to a secret lavender farm with blooming fields (and other aromatic plants) for a special introduction to their properties and uses in gastronomy and cosmetics, tailored to individual skin types and needs.
Available only during the blooming season every Monday and Thursday from June 12 to July 17.
The farm’s location is not in Barrême and remains a secret.
4-hour stop including lunch.
What's Included
- Round trip train tickets (4H)
- Lunch
- Professional guide all-day
- Round trip train tickets (4H)
- Lunch
- Professional guide all-day
What's Not Included
- Pick-up or drop off (meeting point at the train Station: Gare des Chemins de Fer de Provence)
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Pick-up or drop off (meeting point at the train Station: Gare des Chemins de Fer de Provence)
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Additional Information
⚠️ GOOD PHYSICAL CONDITION REQUIRED
Experience a refreshing adventure!
Embark on the Mountain Train Journey through the Alps to explore a historic and iconic train route.
This is a chance to visit two incredible villages, each with a unique history and natural wildlife. Enjoy an optional hike through sandstone formations resembling a “meteor shower,” rock…
⚠️ GOOD PHYSICAL CONDITION REQUIRED
Experience a refreshing adventure!
Embark on the Mountain Train Journey through the Alps to explore a historic and iconic train route.
This is a chance to visit two incredible villages, each with a unique history and natural wildlife. Enjoy an optional hike through sandstone formations resembling a “meteor shower,” rock shelters, a distinctive geological site known as the “King’s Room,” and a forest of centuries-old chestnut trees. The breathtaking variety of landscapes is both stunning and unexpected.
The second village is also a must-visit, featuring the Royal Castle and Citadel of Entrevaux, with its medieval drawbridge and majestic citadel overlooking the Var Valley. Discover numerous hidden treasures during this unique full-day excursion off the beaten path.
⚠️ FROM MID-OCTOBER UNTIL END OF MARCH, THE ITINERARY MAY CHANGE (due to earlier nightfall and colder weather):
Visit Annot or Entrevaux plus another alpine village, returning by bus at 7pm (1 hour).
Returning to Nice is possible at 4pm if visiting only one village.
- The guide will send you a text message the day before the tour with the final details (temperature, weather, advises for clothing). If you want to check meteo forecast by yourself type on google: meteo Entrevaux + day of tour)
- There is only time departure at 7.30am from Gare des Chemins de Fer de Provence, 4bis Rue Alfred Binet, 06000 Nice (the big blue gate) (we don’t organize pick-up at the hotel)
- Hiking option not recommended if you suffer vertigo
Location
Chemin de Fer de Provence
Rue Alfred Binet
In front of the big gate of Gare des Chemins de Fer de Provence, 4bis Rue Alfred Binet, Nice (2mn walk from Tramway (line 1) stop Libération, the beautiful building on the square Place Charles de Gaulle is "Gare du Sud". The train station is just behind
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(101 Ratings)
5 stars
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1 star
Joanne
Feb 11, 2026
Fun, Unique Day - This is a very unique experience. We all enjoyed the day and we were happy we made it to the top and the citadel. It is quite a hike, but worth the work. The views are amazing. Carmella’s communication before hand was efficient, and clear about changes. She was well organized and informative. We all enjoyed spending time with her. The lunch selection was very impressive and the food was good.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Carolk394
Jan 16, 2026
The views and the company make this a not-to-miss experience! - Cyril was a fantastic guide! Not only did he share a lot of great information on the history of the region, but because he knows the locals well in Entrevaux, he was able to get stores opened for us that would have otherwise been closed! You can’t go wrong with this tour. I’ve taken many, many tours over the years all over the world and the quality of this tour was A+. Thanks again Cyril for a great last day here!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cocoplum
Jan 4, 2026
Amazing day in the French Alps. Highly recommend - This was an amazing day, hiking in medieval cities and checking out breathtaking these our guide Cyril was truly amazing. We did a tour in the “Hall of presidents” which was very informative and a lot of fun. Interestingly, we were delayed upon our return and the local bar stayed open to accommodate our almost three hour delay. Cyril magically arranged for food while we waited for the last train to Nice. The owner of the establishment and her dog took very good care of us.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
M4729jbsophies
Dec 28, 2025
A great experience - Thank you for being such a great guide Cyril. You were very informative and fun 😊 thanks for making a solo traveler’s trip so memorable.
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Snowdroptravels
Dec 27, 2025
Great trip to the Alps! - Cyril is a great guide! He imparted tons of knowledge with a great sense of humor. He was attentive and helpful. Thanks for a great trip!
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A186wsseanm
Dec 7, 2025
Beautiful Historic Mountain Villages with a Local Flair - We enjoyed this experience very much. The scenery was beautiful, the villages charming, and the history fascinating. Our guide, Cyril, was outstanding. He was very bright, articulate, attentive, personable, and humorous. Beyond being well versed in the history and familiar with the area, he clearly had an interest in and relationship with the local people. As we walked through the historic villages, he would introduce us to the people as if he were introducing a friend— and it was apparent that the locals viewed him as such. All of this contributed to the personal and memorable nature of the experience. Very well done! I note that the transport is all by public transportation, which added to the local flavor of the experience, plus Cyril took care of all the logistics relating to tickets and timing. Great trip!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
156caresser
Nov 8, 2025
One of the best excursions I’ve ever been on! Cyril is the GOAT! - Okay, so imagine the most picture-perfect train ride through the French Alps: green valleys, snowy peaks, little villages that look like they were designed by fairy-tale architects. Now add an amazing, amazing guide named Cyril, who somehow manages to be part historian and part stand-up comedian, and you’ve got the day I just had.
From the moment we hopped on the train, Cyril had us laughing, learning, and gasping at the views (sometimes all at once). He knew everything from which peaks we were looking at, to the lady who stands at the Entrevaux train stop to give the conductors baked goods. She made the best crispy double chocolate cookies I’ve ever had in my life!
The hike itself was good, but make sure you wear comfy sneaker, bring water, and your legs because you’re gonna need them lol. Cyril’s energy was infectious, and he somehow made every little detail feel special, from explaining the art on the doors or showing us the old markings up the side of the mountains.
By the end of the day, our whole group was smiling and we didn’t want it to end. Cyril, you absolute legend, you made the Alps come alive.
If you’re even thinking about this trip, do it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Idelma
Oct 18, 2025
Middle Ages trip, not to be missed! - A tour is like being inside a story in medieval life. The guide whose name is Cyril, far exceeded expectations., Warmth,, cordiality, always attentive to the needs of the group. Absolutely recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Getaway25753749546
Oct 5, 2025
Take the tour!! It's fantastic! - We really enjoyed this tour with our guide Cyril! Not only were all the sites we visited stunning Cyril was very knowledgeable about the history and culture that he made the trip very much enjoyable. The start of the trip in Annot was paced nicely (slower) and we had a very delicious lunch with so much food! We were provided a variety of selections to meet any palate. The second half of the tour in Entrevaux was just as beautiful as I thoroughly enjoyed the hike up to the citadel. You do in fact need a decent level of mobility and fitness to make the trip up, but this part is only the last hour of the trip and those who do not want to participate in the hike can stay behind and continue their exploration of the beautiful village shops or have a coffee or beer in one of the few bistros. We were a group of 6 plus Cyril and it was a very manageable size group. I felt the value to cost was high given it was an all day excursion with everything included. I would highly recommend tourists visiting Nice take a day to explore this beautiful and historic region and this tour makes it very easy to do so.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
N5019fnsilviac
Sep 29, 2025
Friends in Europe - Fantastic experience. Cyril was a great tour guide. Historical information was detailed and presented in an engaging and at time humorous manner. Thank you Cyril!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
