“Gourdon is the balcony onto the world.” This was my first thought after seeing the town’s amazing view of the vast valley that stretches for many kilometers down to the sea.

Gourdon is a former base of Arab pirates, but now the town belongs on the list of The Most Beautiful Towns in France (together with e.g. Moustiers Sainte-Marie). It’s tiny (there are only about 400 inhabitants), and typically Provencal. What distinguishes it from many others is its unusual location.

Gourdon – a town on a precipice

Gourdon was built on a 500 m high rock before which stretches an unobstructed view to the sea. It is this vast landscape (you can even see Nice lying 20 km further on) that made me feel as if I was on a huge balcony with a view of the whole world. Of course I’m exaggerating a bit, but the Gourdon’s panorama is fantastic and worth seeing. It joins my other favorite views from Eze Village and Dog Head over Monaco.

But the view is not the only attraction in town. Another is the castle of the Provencal Dukes, built in the 13th century on the old Saracen fortress of the Arab pirates who attacked these areas between the 9th and 12th centuries. The castle is adjacent to the 17th-century gardens laid out on top of a rock. The building formerly housed museums, but these have since been closed. It can be visited from April to September, but only after booking, and in groups of a minimum of 10 people. Details at chateau-gourdon.com.

Hitchcock filmed several scenes in the town for his movie, To Catch a Thief (with Grace Kelly). In an earlier time, on April 19, 1891, Queen Victoria of England visited this area.

In the town you will also find an old church from the 12th century that was rebuilt in the 17th century, and shops with perfumes, glass ware, and Provencal souvenirs. Right at the foot of the hill on which the city was built is the Loup canyon. It is not as big or as fascinating as the Verdon canyon, but if you are in the area it’s worth seeing.

There are several restaurants in Gourdon, the most expensive of which is probably La Taverne Provencale, which lies right next to the cliff and allows you to enjoy amazing views while sitting at your table.

How to get to Gourdon?

Unfortunately there are no direct connections to Gourdon from any of the surrounding cities on the French Riviera. The town’s official website says to take the number 500 bus connection from Nice to Grasse, then get off at a specific stop where you can change, but only after prior booking of the transport. In my opinion, this is not a solution – it’s best to get there by car (check rentals) or scooter, using Google Maps.

Le Chemin du Paradis (Road to Heaven) also leads to Gourdon from beneath the rock, but it is a hike for determined and properly prepared tourists. You will have to climb 500 m up hill.