Les gorges du Loup
Pont du Loup, a charm-filled, historical site
Ten or so kilometres from the Les Pinèdes campsite, in Pont du Loup you can visit the Florian des Gorges du Loup sweet factory, founded in 1949 in the converted Pont du Loup perfume plant. The building looks down on the River Loup and will welcome you for a guided tour to explore the secrets of jam, sweets and confectionery made from fruits and flowers.
From the bridge overlooking the River Loup you can see five pillars, the remains of the Loup Viaduct, where the Nice-Meyrargues train ran from 1886 to 24 August 1944. Following the liberation of Grasse, the Germans destroyed several local structures with dynamite, including the Pascaressa Viaduct, the metal Siagne Viaduct, the Manda Bridge and the Loup viaduct.
From the sweet factory, you can follow a path alongside the river. On the way there are several beaches to stop and enjoy a refreshing swim, a picnic or just the chance to take it easy at the waterside. The further you go along the path, the more natural pools you will see. After crossing a footbridge, you will even find a climbing spot in an area with a Natura 2000 listing.
The Gorges du Loup are an ideal place for sport
Many of our more energetic visitors love this spot, where you can enjoy canyoning and climbing. You can also go hiking or cycling. And when the current is strong enough, canoeing fans can set off in a kayak.
Several climbing spots are accessible along the river or just a short distance away, with routes ranging from 4c to 8a+. All climbers will enjoy the view over the nature all around.
Villages on the River Loup
The Loup takes its source at an altitude of 1200 metres in the Audibergue range, in the commune of Andon. It then winds its way for 45 km through different villages before joining the Mediterranean between Villeneuve Loubet and Cagnes-sur-Mer. Along the river, you can visit Andon, Cipières and Gréolières in the hills. There is also Gourdon, a hilltop village ranked as one of the most beautiful villages in France. Here you can enjoy an exceptional view over the Gorges du Loup, as well as the coast with a panorama going all the way from Italy to the Massif de l’Estérel.
As you go a little further down, you go through Bar-sur-Loup, a village famous for its bitter oranges, and then Tourettes-sur-Loup, another hilltop village, remarkable for its medieval charm and its artists. You then return to La Colle-sur-Loup and the Rives du Loup Park just 200 metres from the Les Pinèdes campsite, before arriving at Villeneuve-Loubet and the Mediterranean Sea.
Outstanding waterfalls
The Pinèdes team has drawn up a list of some of their favourite waterfalls. They include the impressive Courmes waterfall, which can be seen from the road, and the Demoiselles and Grande Marmite waterfalls, which you can see from Saut du Loup on the road between Pont du Loup and Gourdon.