The French Riviera in the low season at your own pace

The 130-km Route du Mimosa is a tribute to this little shrub with stunning, scented yellow pompom-shaped flowers. These flowers are in bloom from January to March and this is the perfect time to come and explore the flowery hilltop villages such as Mandelieu-la-Napoule at the foot of the Estérel and Tanneron mountains, the ideal departure point for a fully marked out walk through the forest. 

Marron glacé, chestnut cream or purée, etc. If you’re a fan of this delicious nut of the forest, then come to Collobrières! In this village nestled in the midst of the stunning Maures mountains, you’ll see tributes to the local chestnut in all sorts of delicious concoctions.  The Confiserie Azuréenne uses specialist artisanal know-how to showcase this autumn nut. And to get an idea of the wide variety of artisanal professions that are linked to the chestnut, come to the ‘Fête de la Châtaigne’ on one of the last three Sundays in October. An unmissable local event! 

Once you pass through the stunning 16th-century archways, Biot reveals the excellence of local craftsmanship with displays of jewellery, pottery and paintings, all set against the backdrop of a clear blue sky. This is where the bubble glass technique - a glassblowing technique of Provence - was revived, and it is the town’s local speciality. Look at the beautiful glasses and other objects with pretty little bubbles trapped in the glass! To get a better idea of the precision and finesse behind this art, come and visit the Ecomusée du Verre. In this exhibition space, around fifteen master glassblowers work passionately to create their objects, turning a red-hot ball into a stunning colourful jug.  It is possible to take part in an introductory workshop for a more hands-on experience. 

Chickpea flour is used to make a great number of delicious Mediterranean recipes and specialities (the panisse of Marseille is one of them!). In Nice, socca is a large wood-fired flatbread and is a much sought-after local delicacy. In the Port district, some of the unmissable places to try these specialities can be found on Rue Bavastro & Rue Bonaparte. At Chez Pipo, the recipe is almost a hundred years old and extra crispy (but top secret), and at La Socca d’Or, it is served with a pinch of salt and gratin niçois. 

Perched on a hilltop facing the Mediterranean, this medieval village resembles Tuscany and is the perfect place for a romantic day trip. What can you expect? A walk along the footpath around the base of the ramparts for a fascinating glimpse into the farming past of the village; a tour in the great outdoors from the Maeght foundation, an open-air museum devoted to contemporary art; and the icing on the cake is a fine-dining experience at the Bastide de la Colle-sur-Loup, with a view of Saint-Paul-de-Vence and Michelin-starred cuisine from chef Alain Llorca who masters the specialities of the French Riviera like no other.

Out of the summer season and far from the glitz and glamour and crowds, this is when the charming side of Saint-Tropez is revealed, the little fishing village that Brigitte Bardot (and so many other big names) fell in love with in the 1950s. Take a stroll around the narrow streets, as far as the Ponche district, wandering past the shop windows before stopping off on a terrace to take a moment and feel the winter sun on your face. Make sure you’re prepared for the warm summer weather by picking up a pair of sandals from K. Jacques, who has been producing the famous leather spartan sandals for three generations. Specialist know-how and around forty different steps go into making these sandals that will fit you like a glove for the summer. You’ll be spoilt for choice and can even opt for your very own personalised pair. 

On Giens peninsula, Le Provençal is a welcoming hotel at the heart of a pine forest. The hotel has an outdoor seating area and on sunny days (when it’s not too windy), you can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner outdoors, with a view of the bay down below. Treat yourselves to a magical lunchtime experience or even stay overnight and make this moment last as long as possible, enjoy some local and seasonal cuisine that showcases the specialities of the coast and the fresh catch of the day.