Esterel (Massif de l'Esterel)

Départements: Var, Alpes-Maritimes

Altitude: up to 618m/2,028ft

The Esterel Mountains rise immediately behind the coast between St-Raphaël in the west and Cannes in the east. They are bordered in the north by the Valley of the Argentière and in the west by the Valley of the Reyran.

The Esterel Mountains are formed of old volcanic rock, predominately of porphyry, the characteristic red color of which is a feature of the landscape. The proliferation of conifers, cork-oaks and coriaceous trees which formerly covered the entire massif, has in recent years fallen victim to devastating forest fires.