The River Loup (pronounced LOO) is in the Alpes Maritimes, France. It is 49 km (30 miles) in length. Its source is a grassy hollow in the Vallon de l'Audibergue. It is fed by streams running down the north face of the Montagne de l'Audibergue. It flows through some of the most beautiful scenery in Provence and passes through the Gorges du Loup, then flows into the Mediterranean Sea at Bouches-du-Loup.
The word loup is often conceived as meaning wolf, but in the south of France it also means a bass. This is a more likely derivation. Nevertheless, this fish was named after the wolf because of its voracity.
From its source in the Vallon de l'Audibergue the Loup flows through four kinds of scenery.
1, The Upper Loup Valley runs eastwards from its source near Andon with mountains on either side. L'Audibergue (1642 m), Cheiron (1778 m). 2, At Cipières the river turns south and flows through a narrow canyon called the Gorges du Loup. 3, After the village of Pont-du-Loup it turns east, and flows through the broader wooded Gorges Inferieur du Loup towards La Colle-sur-Loup. 4, It finally turns south-east and flows through the plains of Villeneuve-Loubet where it enters the Mediterranean.
Towns and villages beside the Loup are Andon, Thorenc, Gréolières, Cipières, Courmes, Gourdon, Pont-du-Loup, Tourrettes-sur-Loup, Le Bar-sur-Loup, La Colle-sur-Loup, Villeneuve-Loubet and Cagnes-sur-Mer. Also worth visiting nearby, is the very popular St Paul de Vence.
Nearest airport: Nice Côte d'Azur.
From the A8 autoroute
Either exit 42(Cannes-centre). Turn left towards Grasse, then take the D3 to Valbonne and on to Châteauneuf-de-Grasse, then head for Le Bar-sur-Loup and Pont-du-Loup. To enter the Gorges turn left on the D6 just after the village of Pont-du-Loup. Or exit 47 (Villeneuve-Loubet). Follow the signs to Saint-Paul then La Colle-sur-Loup. At La Colle follow Châteauneuf-de-Grasse/Le Bar-sur-Loup for about 2km then turn right on the D6 towards Gréolières/Pont-du-Loup. At this point, you will enter the Lower Gorges du Loup. To enter the Gorges du Loup itself, continue on the D6 by going straight across the crossroads near the village of Pont du Loup.
From the A8
From A8
March
Fête des Violettes at Tourrettes-sur-Loup: Provençale market and a procession with carnival floats.
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