Esquillon Route

 Park in one of the few spaces at the crossroads.

(S/E) Walk up Boulevard de l’Estérel towards Domaine Miramar-Estérel, passing through a residential area to the Terrasses de l’Esterel.

(1) Look out for marker 513: here, on the right, a path begins that runs along a ledge overlooking the Avenue de la Côte d’Azur. You’ll pass above the Croix de Lorraine, commemorating the fallen of Théoule-sur-Mer. Continue along this path to marker 512, whilst admiring the Îles de Lérins in the distance.

(2) Turning almost on a sixpence at marker 512, take the GR®653A path which climbs through the pine trees until you catch sight of the monumental statue of the Notre-Dame d’Afrique Memorial.

(3) From the memorial, head due south along the wide Saoumes firebreak. Follow this track for a long way until you come to marker 510, just before the firebreak takes a sharp left-hand bend.

(4) Take the shortcut, a steep, stony slope, which leads to the large crossroads of tracks at the Col de Théoule.

(5) At marker 506, turn around again and head back towards the Col de l’Esquillon via a narrower path that ends in a track suitable for vehicles. Then return to the residential area where you started.

(1) Ignore the side paths and take the road that climbs up opposite. Walk past the famous Palais Bulles and continue to a flight of steps on the left. It passes right by the open-air theatre of this magnificent villa.

(6) Go down the many steps until you return to Boulevard de l’Esterel and turn left to get back to the car park (S/E). 

If you have a little time left, extend this route by heading up to the orientation table 300 m away (a sign points the way).

This route follows the route of the same name published in Randoxygène Secteur littoral.

Good walking shoes are recommended as, although this route is fairly easy, some sections can be slippery in bad weather.

One of the best times to explore the surrounding routes is during the mimosa blossom season, between late January and late February.

Notre-Dame d’Afrique: Begun in 1999 and completed in 2014, the Notre-Dame d’Afrique memorial is a place of pilgrimage for French people repatriated from Algeria. The monumental statue stands 12 metres tall and its crown, 2 metres in diameter, is sure to catch the eye of pilgrims on the Way of St James passing by its base. Made of brass, Corten steel, stainless steel, glass and enamel, this original work is reminiscent of the Basilica of Saint Eugene in Algiers, which still houses the patron saint of Africa. The memorial hosts a pilgrimage twice a year (1 May and 1 November).

Palais Bulles: a 1,200 m² villa built in 1984 by Pierre Bernard and the Hungarian architect Antti Lovag, and acquired by the fashion designer Pierre Cardin in 1992 (who died in 2020). An architectural gem inspired by cave dwellings, this superb site captivates visitors with its pink curves, labyrinthine corridors and spherical rooms lit by portholes.

At the Col de l’Esquillon, look for the sign pointing towards the orientation table. This can be reached via a path at the end of a cul-de-sac.

Enjoy the panoramic views of the Calanque des Deux Frères to the north (with another bubble house visible), the Lérins Islands to the east and the Trayas district to the west, dominated by the Pic de l'Ours and the Pic du Cap Roux.