Destination: French Riviera
Viewing French Riviera Viewing French Riviera Features Essence Time Line Peace & Quiet * The Coast * The Hinterland * The Mountains Famous People	The Mountains It is easy to forget that the Riviera comprises as much mountain as coast. Behind Cannes and Antibes, undulating hills stretch to the Pré-Alpes of Grasse, cut by dramatic ravines and gorges such as the Gorges du Loup and carpeted with acre upon acre of flowers - jasmine, roses, carnations and striped fields of lavender, stretching like mauve corduroy across the countryside. Further east, the Vallée de la Vésubie in the Pré-Alpes of Nice offers walkers and bird watchers spectacular alpine scenery and occasional glimpses of rare birds. A short journey north leads to the majestic, snow-capped peaks of the Alpes-Maritimes and the Parc National du Mercantour, the only remaining French National State Park, ablaze with rhododendrons and gentians in spring; it boasts 600km of designated footpaths amid chamois, ibex, wild sheep and marmots and with breathtaking alpine views.	COUNTRY France REGION French Riviera   Viewing   Top Ten   What To See   Where To ...   Practical Matters CITIES Paris Lyon Nice Strasbourg MAPS World Europe TRAVEL BOOK