Nice was the setting for the Tour finish in 2024. In 2020, it wasn’t the start that everyone had initially hoped for, but there was still plenty of spectacle to be enjoyed. The region is in any case a beautiful place to cycle. The famous cyclist Lance Armstrong was completely in love with the region. He even had a favourite climb (Col de Madone). Steven Kruijswijk, Michal Kwiatkowski and other riders (from Monaco as their home base) also cycle around there. We give five tips for cycling on the Cote d’Azur in the Provence region. These are five beautiful climbs that we have listed for your inspiration for your next adventure on this beautiful coast. With these tips, you can safely escape the winter.
By: Sander Kolsloot
Col de Vence
This climb, near the artists' and gallery town of Vence (one of the most beautiful villages in France), is a must for anyone who wants to experience the beauty of Provence. France, There are many of them there, and You can find the list here) is a perfect training climb. The southern variant, from Cagnes, is about 10 kilometers long at an average gradient of 7%. You can go deep enough and ultimately the advantage is that the levelness allows you to train well. An additional advantage is that this climb only reaches an altitude of 963 meters, and therefore it is also accessible in the winter, because practically the entire year is snow- and ice-free.
Col de Vence, Vence, France
• Distance: 9.6 km, Elevation difference: 640 m, Average gradient: 6.7 %
Col de la Bonette
One of the highest mountains in Europe, the Cime de la Bonette, is the highest paved climb in Europe. In total, this climb is 25 kilometers long, with 10 kilometers of that climb above 2,000 meters. The roads of this climb are not open all year round. Depending on the weather, the climb is open from around the end of May to sometimes in November. The climb is not featured very often in the big rounds. In 2016, the Giro(?) went to this climb. Then Mikel Nieve was allowed to wave his hands in the air at the top. The tour last came here in 2008. One John-Lee Augustyn (do you remember him?) was the (surprising) winner. It is one of those must do’s and it is on many bucket lists.
Cime de la Bonette, Saint Étienne De Tinée, France
• Distance: 25.6 km, Elevation difference: 1620 m, Average gradient: 6.4 %
Small bonus: at the summit you can take an extra ‘round’, which allows you to train even more on your fitness level at this altitude. You don’t even have to go to Ecuador for that.
Col de la Madone
This was Lance Armstrong's favorite training climb. The bike brand he rode on has named a model after it. Yet this climb has never been included in a major round. It may be that this climb offers too little spectacle. It is a total of 14 kilometers long, but very gradual. 6.5% on average, maximum 10%. Another reason could be that the climb is somewhat difficult to ride due to the Tour caravan. It becomes quite narrow and rough at some point. You could just run into a few sheep there. Or Chris Froome on his daily ride in the off-season.
Col de la Madone, Menton, France
• Distance: 13.5 km, Elevation difference: 899 m, Average gradient: 6.7 %
Col de Turini
Cycling on the Cote d’Azur means only one thing: the Col de Turini. If you are a cycling enthusiast and also enjoy rallying, this is a name with a story. The Turini is known for the Rally of Monte Carlo. Why is this now a truly beautiful climb in this region? You can start from three different sides. Each side evokes a different feeling of awe. The western climb is the most intimidating, with a significant gradient (7.3% on an average 15-kilometer stretch). The southern side is more friendly but is also a bit longer (26 kilometers, 4.9%). The eastern climb is somewhere in between in terms of length and elevation gain.
It is a beautiful climb over some rural roads and at the top, at 1600 meters, you have a few restaurants and coffee shops where you can stop for a snack or to warm up. Please note: in winter it can be cold and slippery here! And you could just run into Richie Porte here. There are worse places to have a crash with a pro. 😉
Col d’Eze
This climb is actually the ‘quintessential Paris-Nice climb’. Until recently, it was included in the final time trial every year, but now the local mayor has other plans. Unfortunately. Richie Porte and Chris Froome have already stood on the highest step here. It’s not an impressive climb in terms of numbers because it only reaches 504m, it’s at 5%th and the maximum score is 9.4% on the gradient. Yet it always delivers spectacular spectacle when the pros spend 10km going at it. And for the view, you definitely have to do it at least once.
An added benefit: if you're stationed in Nice, this is the easiest climb to reach, as it also starts in the town by the sea.
Bonus climb: Col de Tende
How do you get a total of 48 hairpin bends in just 7.4 kilometers? And how is it possible that you can add another 17 (!) to that with a turn? That’s the Col de Tende. It’s a bucket list climb that you can attack from two sides. The best part is though, the route from Nice and then via the D6204. Don’t forget to make a detour before the Tende Tunnel, otherwise you’ll miss the best part. It takes a while to get to the top, because it’s a long climb that only gets steeper. Another disadvantage: the road surface is also getting worse and worse. So no skinny tires and be prepared for a bit of off-road. But with such a climb, you have to be willing to put up with that.
Questions & tips
Do you have any questions about this route, or have you been there yourself? Share them here. We read everything and usually respond within a few days.