Country Life | Gardens of the Côte d'Azur: From Menton to Nice

5 days | £4495 per person with flights | 20 - 24 April 2027

A journey of fine gardens, art & gastronomy

The allure of the French Riviera has long been acknowledged by garden enthusiasts throughout the world. British travellers in particular have been spellbound by the exotic perfumes and colours as well as the benign climate, with many settling here to create gardens of distinction. In this exclusive tour we visit some of these remarkable places as well as including some exciting contemporary private gardens. Our two carefully chosen hotels are the beautifully restored Hotel du Couvent in Nice, a botanical haven designed by Tom Stuart-Smith and James Basson, while our favourite seafront hotel in Menton, Le Napoleon, is perfectly placed for discovering both fine gardens and cuisine of the highest order.

Day to day Itinerary

Day 1

Fly from London to Nice. We travel directly from Nice airport to the famous Hanbury gardens at La Mortola to meet Caroline Hanbury for a splendid tea and talk followed by a guided stroll through the famous gardens. We then check in to the Hotel Napoleon with time to relax before a short taxi ride to dinner at Casa Fuego, sister restaurant to Le Mirazur, run by the triple starred Michelin chef Mauro Colagreco.

Day 2

After breakfast, the exotic gardens of Val Rameh are just a short walk from our hotel. We return to the historic centre of Menton for lunch in the delightful leafy

courtyard of Le Bistrot des Jardins, before visiting Les Colombières, an exquisitely restored early 20th century house and garden designed by Ferdinand Bac. We return to our hotel before a special visit to Villa 1027, an extraordinary cubist house designed by Eileen Gray (please note, there is a level of walking required to access the villa and along a steep path. Transport is not permitted to stop at the Villa). We remain in Roquebrune for dinner with an impressive view overlooking Monte Carlo at the Maybourne Riviera. Return to Hotel Napoleon.

Day 3

Having checked out of our hotel we make the short journey to Serre de la Madone, a terraced garden made by Lawrence Johnston of Hidcote fame. Continuing along the spectacular coast, we encounter the Belle Epoque splendour at the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, where we enjoy an independent lunch followed by a stroll through the extravagantly planted gardens. We continue to the Hotel du Couvent, with time to explore its newly replanted gardens before an included dinner with local wines included.

Day 4

Today we head for the hills, discovering first Villa Fort France, the home of artist Valerie de Coursel, who with her husband Pierre will give us a private tour of their gardens, planted with an artist’s eye for colour, texture and form. A short drive uphill takes to the olive groves of La Mouissone where we enjoy a delightful picnic lunch with owner, Lady Maggie Lockett, followed by the opportunity to discover her own, cleverly designed gardens. Returning to Nice, we have the option to visit the stunning Matisse Museum before an included dinner at our hotel.

Day 5

Before checking out of our hotel, we will have a tour of the gardens at Hotel du Couvent. The garden is almost completely hidden from the outside hosting olive trees, 36 persimmons, apricot trees, lemon trees, thyme, savour and more with over 300 species which offer a natural scent in the air. On our way back to the airport, we will stop for lunch in Antibes. We continue to Nice airport for our flight back to London.

Le Napoleon

This stylish hotel is set between the Mediterranean Sea and the mountains of the French Riviera in the beautiful town of Menton. The hotel offers comfortable rooms and a welcoming atmosphere, with a lush garden and outdoor pool providing a peaceful place to unwind. Located in the Bay of Garavan, the hotel is within easy reach of the beach, Menton’s charming old town and the Italian border. Its excellent location also makes it an ideal base for exploring the town’s beautiful gardens and the wider Côte d’Azur.

Hotel du Couvent

Hôtel du Couvent is an exciting new hotel set within a beautifully restored 17th-century convent in the heart of Nice’s Old Town. The hotel is a stunning retreat combining historic character with elegant rooms, inviting restaurants and a relaxed Riviera atmosphere. Its standout feature is the beautiful 2.5-hectare garden, designed from initial plans by Tom Stuart-Smith and developed by James Basson of Scape Design, with terraces, orchards, herbs and Mediterranean planting. The gardens create a tranquil escape from the city, while also providing ingredients and inspiration for the hotel’s food and drink.

With Flights: £4495

Join Direct: £4345

Single Supp: £490

Deposit: £450

Departure Dates:

20 - 24 April 2027

Duration:

4 nights / 5 days

Your Holiday Includes:

Return flights (Economy class) from London to Nice
Two nights’ bed and breakfast at Le Napoleon
Two nights' bed and breakfast at Hotel du Couvent
Private coach transfers and excursions
Four evening meals and three lunches
Guided visits to the sites listed in the programme
Services of the tour host and a tour leader
Detailed programme and garden notes
All entrance fees, taxes, and gratuities for coach drivers and serving staff

Tour Host & Leader

Nick Dakin-Elliot

Nick Dakin-Elliot, as Horticultural Associate, is responsible for the Renaissance Revival gardens and grounds of Villa La Pietra and, as Garden Manager, the new Arts and Crafts-style garden of Villa Torre di Sopra, both in Florence, Italy. Previously, he was senior lecturer in horticulture at Pershore College of Horticulture in England. He studied ornamental horticulture at Askham Bryan College, York and the University Botanic Gardens, Cambridge and studied education at the Universities of Wolverhampton and Worcester in England. Whilst Nick's lifelong love of plants, their beauty and the challenges of both propagating and growing them remains, his current fascination is with organic vegetable growing and the practice of sustainable gardening.

Kirsty Fergusson

Kirsty exchanged a career in academia (she has a PhD specialising in French philosopher-novelists) for a life in gardening. Trained at Capel Manor, she was head gardener at Mapperton in Dorset during the early nineties, where a series of fortunate encounters opened the door to garden writing. As well as writing a weekly column for The Express, for many years she was a frequent contributor to Gardens Illustrated, House and Garden, Country Life, The Times, The Telegraph and The Independent. In 2003 she moved to SW France, where she continues to explore the possibilities of her own (very forgiving) garden - when not travelling, writing or leading tours.

Travel Information
The price does not include extras at the hotels or travel insurance.

Please note that Boxwood Tours use hotels of character featuring a variety of rooms & styles.