The Route des Vins de la Côte d’Azur begins in Nice and winds through a surprisingly varied landscape, where vineyards meet the sea, hills and villages of the hinterland.

The first stop is the Bellet hills, above Nice, where visitors can explore the historic Château de Crémat and Château de Bellet, with wine tastings among the vines and views over the city.

From the hills, the route climbs towards Saint-Paul-de-Vence, an enchanting walled village where you can stroll among galleries, artists’ studios and medieval lanes, before continuing to Saint-Jeannet, at the foot of a spectacular rocky escarpment. Here, the local wine is traditionally aged in the sun in large glass demijohns and can be sampled, for example, at the extensive Domaine des Hautes Collines estate.

Continuing into the Var department, the route reaches the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, passing through Gassin and Ramatuelle, with vineyards just a few kilometres from the Mediterranean. Wineries not to be missed include Château Barbeyrolles, where Pétale de Rose was created in the 1980s, helping to launch the trend for the celebrated rosé wines of Provence; and Château des Garcinières, with its majestic avenue of plane trees.

The final stop, just off the coast of Cannes, is the island of Saint-Honorat. A short boat ride takes you to the vineyards of Lérins Abbey, where monks have cultivated vines for centuries and produce cuvées from a variety of grapes. Explore the island, discover its vineyards and enjoy a wine tasting at the foot of the abbey.