Maritime Alps - Spring in France

The season awakens in the French Maritime Alps with lovely primulas and pulsatillas, extravagant saxifrages, orchids and delectable hepaticas. In the hills high above the village in the Vallee des Merveilles there are famous carvings by an ancient race of man. A speciality of this region are it's Silver Saxifrages, and beyond our reach sits possibly the most special of all, The Ancient King, Saxifraga florulenta.

A six-day tour with Oli Cheney

Day 1     Arrival in Nice

Following our morning arrival in Nice we will drive to Tende, stopping for the rich Mediterranean plants on the way up, including Muscari comosa and orchids such as Limodorum abortivum. Overnight Tende.

Day 2     Botanising around Tende.

Around Tende there are many rocky outcrops containing Saxifraga callosa ‘Bellardi’ (an old name no longer used, but I like it for the romance!) and other alpine and sub-alpine flora such as Sempervivum arachnoideum, various orchids (Ophrys, Neottia, Dactylorhiza, Orchis, Cephalanthera), the lovely rich blue of Gentiana acaulis group and graceful stems of Polygonatum odoratum among many others. In the church walls at the top of the village Saxifraga callosa grows, and there are also fantastic domesticated plants such as Iris and Campanula. If there is due to be a wet day this would also be good to do. Non-flowering Primula allionii can also be seen.

Day 3     Miniere Valley

Visiting a higher area today, the flora is quite different with highlights including lovely Primula marginata, Viola calacarata, Hepatica nobilis, Crocus albiflorus, Caltha palustris, Ornithogalum umbellatum, Pulsatilla alpina, Primula veris and neat cushions of Sempervivum arachnoideum. A full day exploring this diverse area. Overnight Tende.

Day 4     La Brigue.

The nearby small village of La Brigue has a range of limestone rocks with an old vineyard opposite. It’s a charming little town, and a footpath will take us up to see Saxifraga cochlearis. Hopefully they will be in flower, but the rosettes and patches are exciting nonetheless. There are orchids here too, areas of Mediterranean flora and natural rock gardens. Overnight Tende.

Day 5     Casterino Valley/Val Valmasque.

A drive up to Casterino offers the chance to see Tulipa sylvestris australis and Fritillaria tubiformis moggridgei. It is a good place to wander around, full of flowers on flatter ground! However, we will also go higher up to the start of the Valmasque valley, and see Primula viscosa and P. hirsuta. And for those with the energy there is the chance to continue the walk to see Anemone ranunculoides, Saxifraga florulenta and higher still; Eritrichium nanum. Overnight Tende.

Day 6     Return to Nice