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Routes France Nice - Côte d'Azur FFC cycling circuit no. 2: Tour des Corniches
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FFC cycling circuit no. 2: Tour des Corniches

Road Cycling · Nice - Côte d'Azur
Logo Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur
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  • Cyclists - road cycling - Cap-Ferrat
    Cyclists - road cycling - Cap-Ferrat
    Photo: Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur - vélo, Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur
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Let yourself be charmed by the magnificent panoramas of the Côte d'Azur that will unfold before your eyes: the harbour of Villefranche, Cap Estel, the Mentonnaise Riviera and the Principality of Monaco from the Grande Corniche road.

moderate
Distance 62.9 km
4:00 h
905 m
905 m
532 m
2 m

There are a number of viewpoints along the route. The first is just outside Nice, on the boulevard Princesse Grâce de Monaco, at the level of the stele erected in memory of the Monegasque sovereign, with a superb panorama over the harbour of Villefranche and the Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula. There is another option on the outskirts of Villefranche sur Mer, which takes in the harbour a hundred metres above the beach and the Villefranche sur Mer citadel. The route de la basse corniche, which continually overlooks the sea between Nice and Italy, allows you to keep an eye on these magnificent views. On the descent to Menton, after passing through the tunnel, a surprise awaits the cyclist: a magnificent panorama of the bay of Menton and, in the distance, the first outlines of the Italian Riviera.

On the way back, at the end of the climb up the Turbie hill, you can see the Trophée d'Auguste from the road, a Roman memorial dating from 7-6 BC that can be visited every day except Monday.

In the centre of the town, the fountain, a listed building whose water comes from the Faïssé spring on the slopes of Mont Agel, invites local cyclists to quench their thirst. The return journey along the Grande Corniche road and over the Col d'Eze offers magnificent views of the coastline at over 500 m above sea level.

All the outdoor activities in the Nice Côte d'Azur region can be found at https://outdoor.nicecotedazur.org

Author’s recommendation

Sports circuit - FFC colour: Red

Profile picture of Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur
Author
Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur 
Update: April 02, 2024
Difficulty
moderate
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
532 m
Lowest point
2 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Track types

Asphalt 4.22%Road 89.68%Unknown 6.08%
Asphalt
2.7 km
Road
56.4 km
Unknown
3.8 km
Show elevation profile

Safety information

BASIC RULES

-Do not overestimate your abilities

-Before setting off, find out about the weather in the mountains and when the passes open.

-Carry identification and a number to call in case of danger

-Respect traffic lights

-Preferably use cycle paths where they exist

In other words: a sign may require you to
If the "cycle path" sign is square: you decide.
If it is round, you must use the lane .

-Respect the environment and other road users

THE RIGHT REFLEXES FOR RIDING IN A GROUP

-Riding two abreast is permitted, but you must keep to a single lane:

-at dusk or when visibility is poor

-when a vehicle wanting to overtake announces its approach.

-In the event of a breakdown, keep to the side of the road and not the carriageway.

- Come to a complete stop for the whole group at stop signs, yellow lights, red lights and flashing lights.

-Communicate within the group and use verbal language and body language to signal an obstacle or a vehicle. A simple gesture or word is all it takes to avoid a fall or an accident.

Start

PORT LYMPIA - Panoramic starting point on the pavement at the corner of Place de l'Ile de Beauté and Quai Papacino
Coordinates:
DD
43.698472, 7.283924
DMS
43°41'54.5"N 7°17'02.1"E
UTM
32T 361719 4839814
w3w 
///polo.upcoming.flinch
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Destination

PORT LYMPIA - Panoramic starting point on the pavement at the corner of Place de l'Ile de Beauté and Quai Papacino

Turn-by-turn directions

The route starts with the Bd Carnot climb, known as the RM 6098 and more commonly known as the basse corniche, one of the three roads linking Nice to Menton. The basse corniche is the road closest to the sea, but also the most urbanised. The route passes through Villefranche/Mer, Beaulieu/Mer, Eze/Mer and Cap d'Ail before arriving in Monaco and its Port Hercule(Km 18.5). Don't be fooled into thinking that this steep road is not flat. There is a succession of ascents and descents all the way to Menton. During the week, you'll need to be careful because of heavy traffic. This route is completely different on Sunday mornings in terms of traffic. Crossing Monaco from the Port takes you along the seafront towards the Larvotto beaches. At the end of the seafront at Monte Carlo Beach, take the hairpin bend andave Princesse Grâce, where the road rises steeply to the Bon Voyage interchange(Km 22.2). Once you have reached the RD 6098, head towards Menton. The Moyenne and basse corniche merge at the 4 chemins roundabout, and from this point the road becomes the RD 6007. At the next roundabout (Km 25.2), take the RD 52 towards Menton and the seaside ( Cap Martin town centre). Once you have passed through Menton and reached the Route de France and its seafront promenade overlooking the port, turn around (Km 32) and drive back through the town of Menton. Follow the signs for Monaco on the RD 6007. At the Roquebrune Cap Martin exit roundabout (Km 37.6), take the RD 2564 towards La Turbie. Situated at an altitude of 450 m above Monaco, the village of La Turb ie is the highest point on the route. For the return journey to Nice, it's best to stay on the RD2564, known as the Grande Corniche, towards the Col d'Eze. The route again offers panoramic views of the sea, Eze village and Cap Ferrat, passing over the Col d'Eze and reaching Nice after 8 km of very fast descent. At the bottom of this descent(Km 61.9), head towards Nice le Port to return to the starting point.

Public transport

Public-transport-friendly

Bus routes can be found at: https://www.lignesdazur.com

Directions

Direction Port of Nice

Parking

Pay car park above ground at PHARE DU PORT, access from Place Guynemer

Pay car park, underground at PORT LYMPIA, access via Quai de la Douane

Coordinates

DD
43.698472, 7.283924
DMS
43°41'54.5"N 7°17'02.1"E
UTM
32T 361719 4839814
w3w 
///polo.upcoming.flinch
Show on Map
Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

Equipment

-Wear an approved helmet

-Check the condition of your tyres

-Carry a repair kit in case of a puncture

-Prefer at least one flashing LED light to be fixed to the seatpost so that you can be seen by motorists, especially in the small tunnels that are not lacking on this circuit.

Localization

Parts of this content were machine translated using French as the source language
The most beautiful road cycling routes in the heart of the Nice Côte d'Azur metropolitan area
Monaco › Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur › Alpes-Maritimes › Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

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Photos from others

Difficulty
moderate
Distance
62.9 km
Duration
4:00 h
Ascent
905 m
Descent
905 m
Highest point
532 m
Lowest point
2 m
Public-transport-friendly Round trip Scenic Refreshment stops available Cultural/historical interest Summit route

Weather at the route's trailhead

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Excursions and leisure tips for the region

Routes France Nice - Côte d'Azur FFC cycling circuit no. 2: Tour des Corniches