Perched like an eagle in a thrillingly beautiful location around 30 minutes' drive from Nice, the ‘Staircase to the Sky’ has views up to the hills and down over the chasm of the valley below. There are only 4 guest rooms; 3 in the house and a glamping tent in the grounds with long vistas. It’s peaceful and romantic – ideal for couples in search of serenity. The house itself is centuries old, surrounded by a gloriously mature terraced garden that’s full of olive, lemon, orange, cypress and palm trees, with lots of seating areas, a petanque court-with-a-view, and an infinity pool on one of the terraces. The German owner, Judith, is charming, friendly and multi-lingual. She’s an interior designer by trade, which shows in the soothing harmony of her interiors.
Best of all, the location is fantastic, a short hop from Le Bar-sur-Loup and other local villages, as well as the Gorges du Loup, a dramatic gorge that’s great for riverside walks and swimming in crystalline pools. A little further are Grasse, famous for perfume, St Paul du Vence, the lovely walled hilltop town so beloved of Matisse, and countless other pretty Provençal villages with Mediterranean markets. You’re also near the coast, a short drive from Cannes or Nice.
Highs
- Extraordinarily peaceful, yet easy to reach (30 mins from Nice airport)
- Gorgeously understated design that lets the views sing
- Great value; just 3 romantic rooms and a glamping tent, with sumptuously comfortable beds and pillows
- A warm welcome and friendly, sociable feel
- Lovely breakfasts on the terrace and a clutch of great restaurants in the local village (0.5km away)
Lows
- You'll need a car to get here and explore
- Payment is by Bank Transfer in advance of stay
- A 3-night minimum stay
- If you’re looking for full hotel service, this isn't for you
- No kids under 12
Best time to go
Early summer - May-June - is ideal, as the weather's warm but there won't be so many holidaymakers around. However, high summer is lovely here, too. Autumn (September-October) is also great as there are fewer crowds in the region but the weather is usually balmy. The B&B is closed annually from mid October-mid April.
Our top tips
A 5-minute drive away, you can visit the factory of Confiserie Florian. They offer slightly dull tours in French, but much more exciting tastings of their incredible wares in the shop afterwards, including preserved mandarins, crystalised violet and rose-petal jam.
- Boutique B&B
- 3 rooms + 1 tent
- Breakfast only; restaurants nearby
- Over 12s only
- Closed: 22 Nov 2024 - 31 Dec 2024
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car essential
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
Rooms
The rooms practically purr with relaxed elegance, in soft mink, palest greens, blues and powder greys. They're all named after iconic French women. Beds are some of the most comfortable we've graced, the pillows memorably soft. Floors are lovely, too – mellow local stone.
We stayed in the first-floor Marguerite Duras Suite, which has valley views out of a small window in the soothing little sitting room, plus a large bathroom with free-standing bath.
Downstairs, the large Simone de Beauvoir room has stunning valley views through its window and a freestanding bathtub with a handheld shower. Slightly smaller, on the first floor, the Coco Chanel room also has wonderful views from the queensize bed.
Behind the main house is a glamping tent named Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, from whose bamboo queensize bed you get panoramic views of the valley and the stars at night. The tent is perched on top of a cabin that houses the shower bathroom, a kitchenette with two hotplates and fridge, and a small living area. The private terrace to the rear has its own hot tub too - perfect for self-contained romance from May to September.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Fan
- Hairdryer
- In-room treatments available
- Minibar
- Mosquito net
- WiFi
Eating
Breakfast is laid out on a table on the terrace or in the large sitting and dining room if it's chilly. Both have beautiful views, and it's a gorgeous feast, with muesli and fresh fruit and yoghurt, local cured meats and cheeses, coffee or tea, orange juice, and eggs and bacon on request.
Judith is very knowledgable about local restaurants and can make reservations. There are 3 or 4 good places in the village, or you can drive to many others. If you'd prefer to stay in, there's a kitchen where you can prepare your own food - you can buy a sumptuous spread at local markets and gastronomic shops. Judith sometimes throws dinner get-togethers by the pool, with French wines, cheeses and salads - it's all very relaxed and friendly.
Features include:
- Breakfast
- Restaurants nearby
- Room service
Activities
- Petanque on the terrace, lazing by the pool and playing with the adorable border collies
- Pamper yourself: Judith can organise everything from aromatherapy massages to Mayan treatments, Sophrology and Kundalini-Meditation yoga, along with guided mountain walks and Indian dance
- The stunning Gorges du Loup has natural pools and waterfalls for wild swimming, its waterside paths wandering through tangled greenery. Whitewater rafting and canyoning are also on offer (10-minute drive)
- There are countless pretty villages within reach, including Matisse's favourite, St Paul de Vence, a walled medieval town that's filled with art and galleries. Others include Valbonne, Gourdon, the perfume centre of Grasse, and Tourettes du Loup
- The closest beach is only 25 minutes away; beaches around Nice and Cannes are just over half an hour
- Judith can arrange a private yoga class
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Birdwatching
- Canyoning
- Hiking
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Rafting
- Shopping / markets
- Swimming
Kids
Over 12s only. This is a small, sociable but tranquil place, aimed at couples.
Best for:
Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
Suite Marguerite Duras has a sofabed in its living room, suitable for 1 teenager.
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
L'Escale du Ciel sits in the Provençal Maritime Alps, in rolling beautiful countryside and near fascinating and picturesque villages. It’s 30 minutes' drive from Nice airport or the beaches of the Côte d’Azur.
By Air:
Fly into Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (23km); click on the links below for a list of airlines. The B&B has off-street parking.
From the Airport
You'll need your own car here as there’s a lot to explore in the area. See our car rental recommendations.
By Train:
From London you can take the Eurostar to Lille, then change onto a direct TGV train down to Nice, then hire a car from the station.
Detailed directions will be sent when you confirm a booking through i-escape.com.
More on getting to France and getting around
Airports:
- Nice Côte d’Azur Airport 23.0 km NCE
Other:
- Beach 20.0 km
- Shops 0.5 km
- Restaurant 0.5 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 9 independent reviews from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape