Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ARRIÈRE-PAYS NIÇOIS
You'd never believe you're just 20km from Nice. This little-known corner of the Côte
d'Azur is so quiet and unaffected by tourism that Niçois themselves come here to spend a
weekend away from the urban rush.
Attractions are pretty low-key: a walk in the hills - check out the Guides RandOxygène (
Click here
)
for suggestions - a stroll in isolated villages, or a long lunch in an excellent
restaurant.
Although there is a bus to Peille, the only way to really discover this area is with your
own wheels.
Peillon
POP 1362
The hilltop village of Peillon has to be one of the most spectacularly perched villages in
France. The remote location has long been prized by local populations for its defensive
characteristics: the first houses date back to the 10th century.
What draws visitors from far and wide, however, is not so much the village (which is
very small and low-key) as the village inn,
Auberge de la Madone
( 04 93 79 91 17;
www.auberge-madone-peillon.com
;
Peillon; menus from €30; lunch & dinner Thu-Tue
Feb-Oct; )
. In the grand dining room in winter, or on the panoramic terrace in summer,
father-and-son chef-duo Christian and Thomas Millo serve divine Provençal cuisine, a re-
fined mix of traditional staples with a dash of modernity (Swiss Chard tart with fresh herbs,
cod fillet in spice crust, Muscat pan-fried strawberries with an almond biscuit and straw-
berry sorbet). The area is very popular with trekkers so the auberge also prepares gourmet
sandwiches (€8). There are a handful of rooms (doubles €98 to €200) too, all with
tomette
(traditional terracotta tiles) floors, rustic furniture and cosy feel.
Peille
POP 2287
