recommended route
FFC cycling route no. 13: tour of the hilltop villages of the Var valley
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AspremontPhoto: Frédéric Aguilhon, Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur
Discover the Var valley from the terraces on either side of the river: this is the tour of hilltop villages that awaits the most athletic visitors, culminating in the climb to La Roquette-sur-Var, which is still burnished by the passage of many editions of Paris-Nice.
Discover the many fountains on offer to cyclists, pouring out clear, cool water in the middle of picturesque village squares. It's the perfect opportunity to stop and refill your water bottles.
Climb the montée de la Roquette, a classic for local cyclists, Paris-Nice and hill-climb car races. Many sporting events use this famous climb in the Var valley. The road passes beneath the village perched at an altitude of 380 metres, with La Roquette-sur-Var dominating the Var and Estéron valleys where they meet. A short diversions through the village takes you to the belvedere, a veritable figurehead where you can see the landscape from the sea to the highest peaks of the Mercantour.
The itinerary continues along the Route des Sculpteurs between Levens and Saint-Blaise, where you can visit the museum, an olive oil production site with a ceramics workshop, and where a number of visual artists and painters are exhibited;
Author’s recommendation
Sports circuit - FFC Red
All the outdoor activities in the Nice Côte d'Azur region can be found at https://outdoor.nicecotedazur.org
Track types
Show elevation profileSafety information
Emergency number: 112
BASIC RULES
-Choose a route suited to your physical condition and do not overestimate your abilities.
-Before setting off, find out about the weather in the mountains and when the passes open.
-Remember to carry identification and a number to call in case of danger
-Respect traffic lights
-Preferably use cycle paths when they exist, i.e. a sign may require you to do so 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, move to the side of the road, not the carriageway.
- Come to a complete stop for the whole group at stop signs, yellow lights and fixed or flashing red 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.
Tips and suggestions
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Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
The route leaves Nice just before La Manda, on the Route de Grenoble (M6202), 19 km from the centre of Nice, at the Colomars roundabout (RM414 -Nice Caravanes).
From this point, to reach the cycle path, it is necessary to take the RM 6202 for 1 km.
When you reach the Pont de La Manda, on the left of the road, turn off carefully to cross to the other side of the Var.
At the large roundabout, follow signs for Carros village - Le Broc on the RM1. At the second roundabout, keep right in the same direction.
From this point, you start the 1st ascent towards Carros village, then Le Broc.
At the entrance to this old village of great architectural value, leave the RM 1 (Km 10.5) and turn right onto the RM 101 and its Rue de la Voute.
Once you have passed under the arch, take the lane leading to the Town Hall and the Charles Albert Bridge.
This road takes you towards the RD 2209, which you reach after 2.4 km of very steep, narrow descent.
The descent along the RD 2209 is very pleasant and leads to the banks of the Estéron river. Following the river at the end of a long straight stretch, you come to the Pont Louis Nucéra roundabout (Km 18.8), a writer from Nice whose passion was cycling, the subject of many of his books.
Once over the bridge, turn right onto the cycle path along the banks of the Estéron, a very pleasant stretch of countryside.
Once you reach the car park, turn right onto the Pont Charles-Albert to join the RM 6202 as far as the 2nd roundabout. Take extra care to turn left towards Saint-Martin du Var.
At the end of the village, on the RM 20, the RM 20 ends at the entrance to the village of Levens (km 32.4). The route takes the RM 19 to the right, initially in the direction of Tourrette-Levens, before forking right again onto the RM 14 in the direction of Saint-Blaise.
A narrow descent brings you to the entrance to Saint-Blaise, where the road crosses a valley thanks to a narrow bridge rebuilt in 1953 to replace the suspension bridge destroyed by Allied bombing in 1944.
Continue along the RM 14 to the village ofAspremont. In the centre of the village, turn right onto the RM 414 towards Colomars (km 51.9).
At Colomars continue straight on the RM 414. At the junction (km 56.5) turn right towards Digne-N202. At the bottom of the descent, you will have reached the starting point.
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
Fast and express trains (TGV, Corail) link the Côte d'Azur to all French regions and all major European cities.
Bus routes can be found at: https://www.lignesdazur.com
Directions
Served by the A8 "La Provençale" motorway, coming from Aix-en-Provence to the west and the border to the east.
Exit 52: Saint-Isidore
Direction Digne
Parking
Parking close to the starting point.Coordinates
Equipment
Before setting off :
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Wear an approved helmet
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Check the condition of your tyres and brakes
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Take a repair kit with you in case of a puncture
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Make sure you have at least one flashing LED light to attach to the seatpost, so that you can be seen by motorists, especially in the many small tunnels in Metropolitan France.
- Remember that the Highway Code applies to cyclists in all circumstances.
- Respect other road users as you would like them to respect you
- Inform those around you of your itinerary
- A first aid kit is not essential, but can be very useful
- Know and keep the emergency numbers.
- Respect the environment by not throwing your food packaging on the side of the road.
Localization
Weather at the route's trailhead
Statistics
- 12 Waypoints
- 12 Waypoints
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Route
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Gradient
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