From Nice to Briançon over three Alpine passes

Route details

Tour through the French Southern Alps from the Côte d'Azur to the highest city in France. The route leads via the Tinée valley, the Col de Larche border pass to Italy and the Col de Vars.

This 268-kilometre Tour starts in Nice and leads through the entire Tinée Valley northwards into the French Alps. The first section runs on the D2205 along the Tinée, one of the longest rivers in the Alpes-Maritimes. In Clans, a historic mountain village at an altitude of 690 meters, a short stop is worthwhile - the village has the oldest collegiate church in the PACA region dating back to 1137.

The route continues through Isola, where the route branches off to the Isola 2000 ski station. The ascent towards Col de la Lombarde already offers alpine scenery with views of the Mercantour National Park. The more challenging part of the Tour begins here.

After Isola, the route leads over the Colle della Maddalena (Col de Larche) at an altitude of 1,991 meters to Italy. This border pass between the Cottian Alps and the Maritime Alps connects the French Ubaye Valley with the Italian Stura Valley. The road is wide and is also used by trucks - transit traffic is to be expected during the week. The Italian ramp offers 14 Hairpins with a maximum gradient of eight percent. The small Lago della Maddalena is located at the Mountain pass.

Through the Stura Valley, the route briefly enters Italian territory near Argentera before returning to France. The Col de Vars at 2,111 meters marks the border between the departments of Hautes-Alpes and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. The northern ramp from Guillestre is more winding, while the southern ramp is more spacious. The road is two-lane throughout and well developed - part of the Route des Grandes Alpes.

The destination of Briançon lies at 1,326 meters and is considered one of the highest towns in Europe. The Vauban fortifications have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008. The historic old town with its bastions, collegiate church and ramparts is well worth an extended tour.

The road surface is mostly good, with repairs in places. The weather can change at the top of the Mountain passes. The Tour is suitable for riders with experience of the Alps, technically demanding passages are rare. Traffic is moderate, and motorcycle and bicycle tourists can be expected on the Col de Vars at weekends.