Vence, Tourrettes-sur-Loup & the Loup river

Distance: Loop of Nice - Vence - La Colle sur Loup - Cagnes-sur-Mer - Nice / 72 km
Climb: 800 m+
​Main routes: M118, M/D2210 and D6
Close to: Col de Vence, Gourdon, Gattières
Level of difficulty: Easy - Moderate
Season:  All year around

A loop that will take you through charming villages, wide curving roads in good conditions and magnificent views to the Alps and the ocean.

As soon as you have passed Nice airport and crossed the Var, you ride in to St-Laurent-du-Var and start a shorter climb from the sea level and up to 300 meter. You can cycle through St-Laurent-du-Var town and find the road towards La Gaude, which offers a steady climb with moderate gradients between 2-6% in average.

At the bottom of the village St-Jeannet you can have a coffee break at the big cycling friendly café Auberge des 4 chemins.

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In the round-about at St.-Jeannet you follow the road towards Vence. The majestic rock formation North of Vence rises above you as you cruise the main road that curls through the lower mountain side.

The hills are green even in Winter and the sea view never bores the eyes.

You pass through Vence - if you are up for a challenge, you can take a trip up to Col de Vence at 900m. However, you can also simply cycle through Vence and continue of the false flat road section to Tourettes-sur-Loup, which is another super picturesque village of the Côte d'Azur. When you come to the other side, look out for some nice photo opportunities! 

You have now a long nice descent in front of you on a an easy downhill. It is easy to speed on this downhill, so be aware of traffic!

At an intersection where you see the road towards Gourdon and the Caussols Plateau you make a left turn to Nice. You will soon ride on the left side the Loup river. In Summer it is pleasantly cool on this road - in Winters you get a chill wind in your face. There always seems to be more wind in this valley than on the other roads.

Make your way towards La Colle-sur-Loup and continue to Cagnes-sur-Mer. Soon you are at the sea front making your way back to Nizza la bella.