General presentation – situation
The Domaine des Courmettes is a private property of 600 hectares, open to the public and situated in the commune of Tourrettes-sur-Loup in the Alpes-Maritimes. With the Pic de Courmettes rising to 1248 m, the site commands the Côte d’Azur and provides outstanding views of the Mediterranean and the Mercantour massif.
The estate, a Natura 2000 site, is part of the Parc Naturel Régional des Préalpes d’Azur. Managed as a nature reserve, it offers superb walking in an unspoilt environment.
Purchased in 1918 by a Protestant minister, initially with the aim of establishing a sanatorium there, this estate has a rich history, centred around its atractive buildings.
A Rocha has been responsible for the management of the site since 2008.
Accommodation
We offer a range of room types, with varying levels of comfort:
– rooms with en-suite facilities (limited availability)
– rooms with shared facilities (sleeping 2 to 5 people per room)
– 2 large dormitories sleeping 14 and 16… These have retained the charm of the original dormitories, opening directly onto the terraces with stunning sea views!
Meals
If you’re staying on a full-board basis, you’ll enjoy home-cooked meals prepared entirely on the premises, using ingredients that are almost 100 per cent organic, fresh and locally sourced. At Les Courmettes, in line with our eco-friendly approach, we have chosen a diet that is as respectful of nature as possible; this is why meat and fish dishes are limited (usually twice a week). However, the meals remain tasty and balanced, and plant-based proteins (particularly pulses) are used extensively.
Study and activities
If you are staying as part of a study or field trip, Les Courmettes offers a wonderful area to explore. 600 hectares of nature and a Mediterranean landscape featuring a mix of forests, dry grasslands and wetlands, as well as the magnificent Pic des Courmettes, which rises to 1,200 immediately above the buildings.
Facilities
We can provide you with a dedicated room for lessons or group work sessions, as well as tables, chairs and a screen.
Suggested on-site activities:
As an environmental education centre, the team at Les Courmettes – A Rocha can offer you a range of activities or sessions tailored to your specific areas of interest: theoretical presentations on ecological issues and the links between ecology and theology; guided nature walks in the field, exploring and understanding Mediterranean habitats and ecosystems; permaculture workshops in the garden… Please do not hesitate to contact us for a list of the various presentations and activities we offer.
You can, of course, also explore the estate’s various signposted trails – one of which will take you on foot to the medieval village of Tourrettes-sur-Loup – to enjoy the exceptional natural beauty of the area.
In the surrounding area
Halfway between the sea and the mountains, the Centre des Courmettes is situated in the French Riviera’s Pre-Alps region, combining a mid-mountain environment with the influences of the nearby Mediterranean Sea.
The medieval villages in the surrounding area are particularly noteworthy, as is the perfume industry, which has played a major role in the development of nearby towns such as Grasse.
And if you’d like to add a touch of culture to your stay, you’ve come to the right place: the region is home to numerous museums dedicated to the artists who have spent time here, including Chagall, Picasso, Matisse and many others.
Length of stay
The Domaine des Courmettes is open from 15 January to 15 December, exclusively from Sunday evening to Saturday morning. Please note that the buildings are situated at an altitude of 850 metres, so although we overlook the Côte d’Azur, the climate is more akin to that of the mountains, and the spring and autumn months are often more pleasant than those in winter….
Access
Located about an hour’s drive from Nice; main railway stations: Cagnes-sur-Mer and Grasse. Detailed information here.
Please note that the estate is isolated, not directly served by public transport, and lies at the end of a 5-kilometre winding mountain road. You will need to hire a car or arrange transport to reach Les Courmettes and to explore the surrounding area. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need help with this.
Further information and prices
If you are thinking of staying at Les Courmettes, please email us at claire.mouhot@arocha.org and we will be happy to send you a quote based on your requirements.
Testimonials
What they liked at Courmettes :
“It was so refreshing and renewing to stay in a place so beautiful and focused on protecting the environment. It was nice to slow down and spend time in nature with my community.”
“The staff, the location, the mission! It was a lovely place to rest, exult in God’s creation, study, and participate in the Christian work of restoring creation“
“Learning so much about the philosophy behind all of it. Everyone was so so kind. I felt safe and felt like I was at a ‘home’, thanks to the staff’s friendliness and the facilities!”
“The warm hospitality and indoor/outdoor recreational facilities.”
“I enjoyed the home-cooked food. The location is marvellous, beautiful and fascinating. The people were very friendly. Thank you for hosting us.”
“Staying there has opened my eyes to a variety of new environments I had perhaps only read of before, and the staffs dedication to caring for it has provided a new angle for myself on proper environment care and conduct.”