Saint-Jeannet: between Baou, chapels and hiking trails

Saint-Jeannet lies at the foot of the Baou de Saint-Jeannet, a rock formation that rises to 800 metres. An orientation board at the summit provides information for walkers. The panoramic view stretches from the peaks of the Mercantour Alps and the hills around Nice to Antibes, the Lérins Islands and the Estérel Massif; the village can also be seen from there.

Hiking: stages and individual routes

The Grand Parcours des Baous is 97 kilometres long and takes five days to complete. The route passes through nine villages: Vence, Tourrettes-sur-Loup, Coursegoules, Bouyon, Le Broc, Carros, Gattières, Saint-Jeannet and Gilette. One individual section offers a different time commitment: Sentier 4 from Bouyon to Saint-Jeannet is a 22.5-kilometre hike that takes about eight hours and is classed as very difficult. This distinguishes the multi-day route from this long individual hike.

A 2018 account describes the Circuit du Castellet as a moderately difficult circular hike taking about four hours, with around 450 metres of elevation gain. Check trail conditions locally. As a shorter option, the municipality’s description, published in 2023, presents the Circuit des Chapelles as a family walk from Sainte-Pétronille to Notre-Dame-des-Baous. As local access conditions may change, check them before setting out.

Baou, cycling route and climbing

A cycling route also leads to Saint-Jeannet: the “Sur la Route des Peintres”, published in 2024, follows a short climb and passes through Vence before reaching the village via the “Balcons d’Azur” greenway; along the way, there is a view of the Baou. The route is another way to include this striking rock formation in your travel plans.

The rock face of the Baou de Saint-Jeannet is suitable for climbing. A 2018 account lists about 650 established climbing routes there, including 48 multi-pitch routes. As the number may change through maintenance or the creation of new routes, check the latest information before climbing.

Another viewpoint is on the Baou de la Gaude, within the municipality of Saint-Jeannet. From there, the view extends over the Mediterranean coast, the vineyards of Bellet and the wooded, hilly areas above Cagnes-sur-Mer. The two Baous therefore offer different perspectives: the view from the Baou de Saint-Jeannet includes the Mercantour, Nice and the Estérel Massif, among other places, while the Baou de la Gaude overlooks the coast, vineyards and landscape above Cagnes-sur-Mer.

Chapels and village history

The Chapelle Saint-Jean-Baptiste was built in 1753 and is now used for various cultural events. The Chapelle Notre-Dame des Baous dates from the late 15th century. It contains numerous ex-votos commemorating climbers who died in the mountains and Padre Pio.

The Promenade de Sainte-Pétronille leads to the Chapelle Sainte-Pétronille. The chapel is thought to date from the 12th century; in 1973, it was decorated by the Belgian painter Delporte. The Quartier de Queirard, Saint-Jeannet’s oldest neighbourhood, offers another glimpse into the village’s history. As is typical of mountain villages, its calades—cobbled streets—are interrupted by steps.

A taste of winemaking

A tourism report published on 18 February 2026 describes a wine tasting at Vignoble Rasse featuring eight wines in white, red and rosé. These included the La Fontaine, Principium, Tuilé de Saint-Jeannet and Baussum cuvées. They were served with platters of regional products such as tapenade, cheese, charcuterie and chocolate.

Saint-Jeannet offers a range of options to help you plan your trip: multi-day stages, individual hikes, cycling and climbing, as well as chapels and village history. The viewpoints also differ in the landscapes they reveal. You can shape your stay around how you would prefer to spend your time: on trails, exploring local history or taking in the scenery.

Discover more destinations: Théoule-Sur-Mer, Malaussène, Fontan, Sallagriffon, Gréolières, La Turbie, Châteauneuf-Grasse, Drap

For the full travel overview: Alpes-Maritimes.