Exploring the Coastal Charm and Red Hills of the Côte d’Azur
As my travel buddy Heidi and I set out for the second day of our Mediterranean road trip, our plan was to explore the coastal charm and red hills of the Côte d’Azur. Before heading inland, we made brief stops along the coast to preview places I’d like to revisit someday. But the highlight of our day was undoubtedly the climb into the Forêt Domaniale de l’Esterel and the landscapes of an unforgettable sunset, glowing across the red hills of the Côte d’Azur.
Morning Stops at the Seaside
We began with a beachside breakfast in Sanary-sur-Mer. The town square, filled with the scent of pastries from a local boulangerie, made for the perfect start. The cheerful morning light set the tone for our day of exploring the red hills of the Côte d’Azur.
From there, we passed through a series of charming coastal towns—Toulon’s historic port, the shores of Hyères, and the wide-open panoramas of Le Lavandou. In La Pradet, we paused for lunch—sandwiches from our bakery stop—parked near the beach to watch a sailboard class skim across the calm, clear waters.
The Scenic Drive into the Esterel Massif
Leaving the coast, we turned toward the Forêt Domaniale de l’Esterel. The transition from serene coastline to rugged terrain was striking. The Esterel Massif stretches about 32 kilometers along the Mediterranean, much of it protected as a regional nature reserve.
This was the heart of the red hills of the Côte d’Azur—vivid rock formations set against the deep blue sea. As the road climbed higher, the cliffs seemed to catch fire in the sunlight. We parked and set out on foot, taking in each new perspective: fiery red earth underfoot, the sparkle of the sea below, and the wind carrying the scent of pine through the hills.
Sunset Over the Red Hills of the Côte d’Azur
Timing our arrival for sunset was perfect. The Esterel’s red cliffs glowed under the softening light, their warm tones deepening as the sun slipped toward the horizon. The red hills of the Côte d’Azur seemed almost to radiate from within, framed by a sky streaked in gold, pink, and orange. The reflection of the colors in the still Mediterranean waters made it a moment of complete awe.
Evening in Mougins
After sunset, we drove to Mougins, our next stop. Arriving in darkness wasn’t ideal, but the magic of the red hills of the Côte d’Azur had been worth every delay. Mougins, peaceful and inviting even at night, was the perfect ending to a day steeped in coastal beauty and dramatic landscapes.
READ MORE: Picasso and the Artful Village of Mougins: A Côte d’Azur Road Trip Highlight
The Route
Follow the journey:
Chasing Sunsets on the Côte d’Azur: A Journey Along the Coast and Hilltops
Scenic Drives Along the Côte d’Azur: Exploring Route des Crêtes
7 Responses
Hi Deborah, I hope you like my story.
While in Paris 4 years ago, an American who we didn’t know said he had just come from visiting “a perfect market town, just the right size, unspoiled, has everything you need, but no more.. I’d move there!! It’s called Uzes.”
His intensity made me remember the town’s name!
We took a chance, planned a trip and have rented the same fabulous apartment overlooking Place aux Herbes twice and will go back again in May for 2 weeks. We have formed an email friendship with the gracious owner, who is a retired architect living in Switzerland. We love Uzes, the citizens, restaurants, quality shops and markets!
What a Fairy Tale town! What a gift because of a quick chat with a stranger !
Great Blog… thanks!
Thank you for your note, Susan. We never know when or how we get the message to make changes in our lives, do we? It’s sometimes just serendipity. Obviously, I join you in my love of Uzès. Hope we’ll have a chance to meet. I really appreciate your comments about the blog. It’s a pleasure.
Bon voyage!
Good choices!
Super article, thanks for sharing! Quick question: do you think the best time to visit the Esterel Massif is spring or autumn? Also, have you found any good accommodations nearby?
Thank you for your compliment. Apologies for the late reply. Traveling! I drove this route in the Autumn, but I can imagine it’s spectacular almost any time of year— spring being tied for best. I almost always stay at the Beau Rivage in Nice because it’s so well located. Since I was traveling with a dog, the other places along the way were mostly found on Airbnb, so nothing really noteworthy. Enjoy your travels and stay in touch, please.
Great read! The way you describe the red hills and sunset made me want to visit the Côte d’Azur myself. Just curious, how was the weather during your trip? Did it affect your plans at all?
I drove the route in early Fall. The weather was perfect. I’d like to do it again in the Spring or Summer, especially because of the towns we went through along the way. There’s always something new and seasonal to draw you to those areas. Yes! You should go! Thanks for following and for your note.