Fort Charvet from the Courbaisse

Coming from Nice, at the third pedestrian crossing, park in the car park on the right, below the road.

(S/E) Take great care when crossing and walk along the pavement on the Route de la Tinée towards Nice.

(1) Leave the road and turn right. Walk along the side of the barrier and follow the track called "Piste de la Haute Courbaisse". You will come to a fork with another track.

(2) At the cairn, turn left onto a track that has not been used for a long time. Thyme sometimes grows in the middle of it. Join the track you left earlier.

(3) Turn left onto the track

(4) Walk alongside the kennel and continue along the track until you reach the junction with a footpath.

(5) At the cairn, leave the track and turn left onto the path, the start of which is somewhat hidden by broom. After about 50 metres, a tree blocks the path; pass on the left. This tree-lined path smells wonderfully fresh. Join the track.

(6) Turn left and walk about 50 metres. After the bend and just after the ruins, turn right onto the stony path going uphill and rejoin the track you left earlier at a bend.

(7) Keep right on the Pic Charvet track.

(8) Leave it to climb right onto a winding path and rejoin the same track higher up.

(9) Cross it to take the yellow-marked path opposite and rejoin the track.

(10) Follow it to the left for about 50 metres. On the right, you can see an old building that is a former stable.

(11) At this clearing, keep to the far right and walk as close as possible to the old stable. This path leads to the fort: do not go to marker 180 - Fort du Pic Charvet - altitude 722 m.

(12) Entrance to Fort Charvet. These fortifications were built to last and are in good condition. Immediately after the gate, take the large staircase on the left, which has a beautiful handrail for safety. At the top, turn right, walk along the stone entrances and stay on the path. There are a few views of the Var valley. Continue towards the antenna at the top of Pic Charvet.

(13) Enjoy the views over the Tinée and Var valleys. Turn around and retrace your steps.

(10) Keep left on the Pic Charvet track.

(9) Turn left onto the path you took on the way up.

(7) Stay on the track to the right until you reach a fork you passed on the way up. This track offers views of retaining walls, genuine stone structures built over 150 years ago, which preserve the track.

(6) Follow the same route as on the way up.

(3) Continue straight ahead on the rolling track.

(2) Follow the same route as on the way there until you reach the car park (S/E).

Walking sticks and hiking boots are recommended.

There is no water along the route.

Bring a torch. Access to shops, ammunition stores and certain underground areas is possible as they are in good condition. Nevertheless, remain cautious.

The Picciarvet or Pic Charvet Fort, a stronghold of Nice, wasbuilt between 1883 and 1890. It occupies a rocky promontory that controls the confluence of the Tinée and Var rivers.