Have you heard of Théoule sur Mer?
This delightful village straddles the Alpes Maritimes and Var departments. The striking array of colours is what hits you first:
- A sea of sky-blue and transparent navy
- A thick blanket of green vegetation over the hills
- The red of the volcanic porphyry that makes up the rock formations of Théoule sur Mer.
With this pallet of deeply intense colours, Théoule resembles a piece of paradise on earth. The early railway pioneers were so struck by this that, way back in 1882, they gave the village its own station, despite its population of just 50! It was their conviction that tourists should not be deprived of such a display.
And they were right…
Picnic on one of the Théoule’s beaches:
A moment of pure contentment in the company of family or friends.
The small sandy beaches are sheltered from the wind by the hillside, offsetting the cooler sea air and creating a perfect micro-climate in all seasons. The beach of Théoule is far removed from the eccentricities of nearby Cannes: here, young children play by the sea and parasols stretch right up to the Pointe de l’Aiguille.
On the beach, the pace is slow and the only exertion is in the form of long dip in the sea or watching the sailing boats and paddleboards on the horizon, the Iles de Lérins shimmering in the sunshine in the background.
If you’re not one for picnics, there are many lovely beach-side restaurants along the shore.
A paradise for walkers and hikers
The delightful beachside promenade is permeated with the scent of jasmine and the unspoiled Mediterranean plant life. But that’s not all: on the outskirts of the village over 23 kilometres of waymarked trails are maintained for the enjoyment of walkers.
In any season, the trails offer spectacular, sweeping views of the Mediterranean and the red hills of the Massif de l’Estérel mountain range.
Some of them, like the le Tour de l’Aiguillle and les Grosses Grues, are world-renowned.
You can find the full list on the VisoRando.
At the end of January, the red earth takes on yellow tones as far as the eye can see when the mimosa flower reigns supreme. Mother nature’s lavish gift of perfume and gold is not to be missed! Enjoy the beauty and sensations of a cycle ride along la Route du Mimosa across the ridges of Massif de l’Esterel mountain range.
A place where the past is present and dreams can come true
This village dates back to the Roman era when it was known as Tèle. Its shoreline was a favourite of traders and fishermen as it offers a natural port.
But significant development didn’t begin until the 19th century. Le château de Théoule is a vestige of that era. It was built on the foundations of an ancient soap factory, before undergoing a number of conversions over the years. With its red walls and turrets overlooking the blue waves it has not lost its dramatic, medieval appearance.
The castle has its own history: it was bought by the Houillères de France, a body that represented the mining industry, to enable miners from the north to experience a Mediterranean holiday at least once in their lives. They returned home starry-eyed.
Today, the outstanding architecture and gardens of the fine villas on the outskirts of the village add to the legend of Théoule. One famous example, the “Villa-Bulle”, built by couturier Pierre Cardin, epitomises the creativity of the 1970s.
Théoule sur Mer? The best way to fully experience the village, whether in or out of season, is to rent one of Riviera Holiday Homes’ villas in the outskirts of Cannes.
Embrace la dolce vita!
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