Esterel massif

The Estérel Massif (in occitan provençal: Esterèu) is a coastal (mediterranean) mountain range in the departments of Var and Alpes-Maritimes in Provence, south-east France. Neighbouring cities are Mandelieu and Cannes (in the east) and Saint-Raphaël / Fréjus (in the west).

The soil and rocks of the range are of volcanic origin, composed mainly of porphyry, which gives the hills a red color. The terrain is rugged, with deep ravines and oak forests. The highest point of the massif is Mont Vinaigre (618 metres).

The massif covers an area of 320 km², of which 130 km² are officially protected in the Forêt domaniale de l'estérel. The nature reserve offers excellent hiking and mountain biking trails including the GR 49 and GR 51. The Estérel mountains also host the Pierre et Vacances holiday village "Cap Estérel".

External links

* [http://www.badische-seiten.de/impressionen/index.php?action=showgallery&pfad=Provence-Esterel-Gebirge Esterel massif: Picture Gallery]
* [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=l%C2%B4est%C3%A9rel+provence+france&sll=43.474847,6.856842&sspn=0.346805,0.63858&ie=UTF8&z=11&om=1: Google map]
* [http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massif_de_l%27Esterel: French Wikipedia page]