Lionel Terrail - Grandes Itinérances
The Promenade des Anglais from the Bellanda Tower in Nice
Lionel Terrail - Grandes Itinérances
Panoramic view of the Cote d'Azur from Col de Vence
Lionel Terrail - Grandes Itinérances
Arrival on the Mediterranean
Lionel Terrail - Grandes Itinérances
Coursegoules church
Lionel Terrail - Grandes Itinérances
Panoramic view of the limestone plateaux of the Alpes Maritimes
Lionel Terrail - Grandes Itinérances
Route du Col de Vence
Lionel Terrail - Grandes Itinérances
Village of Coursegoules on the southern slopes of Cheiron
The port of Nice
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Mediterranean ambience in Nice
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I love Nice
64 km
4 h 15 min
Medium
Les Ferres
Nice

From the Col des Ferres (a pass at 596m), the P’tites Routes du Soleil® leads you over to the south side of Le Cheiron Mountain. The high-perched road offers far-reaching open views over the Var Valley and the Nice urban area. You’ve almost made it, the Mediterranean in the background calling out to you! Once you’ve negotiated the climb towards the Oratoire Saint-Marc (1,016m), near Coursegoules, the descent towards the sea via the Col de Vence (a pass at 963m) goes swiftly. Now, you’re reaching the end of the route, riding along the coast up to Nice’s famed Promenade des Anglais, at the end of the P’tites Routes du Soleil.

Gradients and elevation

Ascents: 1018m
Descents: 1618m
Lowest point: 2m
Highest point: 1019m

Road types

52km (81%) By road
12km (19%) Cycle path

Surface

64km (99%) Smooth

Don't miss:

  • Nice: the Baie des Anges, Nice’s famous bay; the Promenade des Anglais, Nice’s famous exceptionally long and broad pedestrian promenade; plus a thousand and one other attractions. Nice hardly needs introducing as the cultural, artistic, economic capital of the Côte d’Azur, as well as a major tourist and student city… 
  • Le Train des Pignes: for over 100 years, the Chemins de Fer de Provence has linked the southern French Alps to the Mediterranean. Bikes are accepted on board. 
  • Vence and Saint-Paul de Vence: neighbouring town and village, both known far and wide as highly picturesque, artistic haunts, neither to be missed.
  • Coursegoules: a very beautiful, architecturally harmonious village at the foot of Le Cheiron mountain range. Most of the houses date back to medieval times and were built in regional grey stone with tinges of other colours and topped with Roman tiles.

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