10 must-ride motorcycle routes on the French Riviera

The French Riviera is a motorcyclist’s paradise. Within an hour’s ride, you can swap sandy beaches for alpine hairpins, coastal cliffs for deep river gorges. The Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region packs an extraordinary diversity of landscapes into a compact area, making it one of Europe’s finest riding destinations. Here are 10 essential routes, from half-day coastal cruises to full-day mountain epics.

1. The Three Corniches (Nice - Menton)

Distance: approximately 36 km per corniche (up to 100 km combining all three) Duration: half day Difficulty: easy to moderate

This is arguably the most iconic ride on the Riviera. Three parallel roads link Nice to Menton along cliffs plunging into the Mediterranean. The Basse Corniche (D6098) hugs the coastline through Villefranche-sur-Mer and Beaulieu-sur-Mer. The Moyenne Corniche (D6007) passes through the perched village of Èze with stunning views of Cap Ferrat and Monaco. The Grande Corniche (D2564), built under Napoleon, reaches over 500 metres elevation with sweeping panoramas from the Fort de la Revère.

Rider’s tip: Combine all three by riding up via the Grande Corniche and returning along the coast. Stop at La Turbie to see the Trophy of Augustus, a 35-metre Roman monument. The Grande Corniche featured in Hitchcock’s “To Catch a Thief” and several James Bond films.

2. The Corniche d’Or (Saint-Raphaël - Cannes)

Distance: approximately 30 km Duration: 1 to 2 hours (with photo stops) Difficulty: easy

Opened in 1903, the Corniche d’Or (D559) is one of France’s most beautiful coastal roads. It winds between the red porphyry cliffs of the Estérel massif and the turquoise Mediterranean. The most spectacular section runs between Agay and Le Trayas, where vivid red rock plunges straight into the sea.

Rider’s tip: Start early to beat summer traffic. Numerous roadside pull-offs let you stop and enjoy hidden coves. For the return, take the D6007 through the Estérel forest via Les Adrets to complete a satisfying loop.

3. The Napoleon Road (Golfe-Juan - Castellane)

Distance: approximately 120 km Duration: full day Difficulty: moderate

The famous RN85 traces Napoleon’s path on his return from exile on Elba in March 1815. The full route stretches 325 km to Grenoble, but the section between Grasse and Castellane is the most rewarding for a day ride: well-surfaced sweeping curves through landscapes that shift from Provençal hills to pre-Alpine scenery. The road passes through Saint-Vallier-de-Thiey and Séranon before reaching Castellane, gateway to the Verdon Gorge.

Rider’s tip: Stop in Grasse for a free perfumery tour at Fragonard or Molinard. Castellane, overlooked by its dramatic rock chapel, makes a perfect launchpad for the Verdon Gorge loop (ride #5). Budget around EUR 150-300 for two nights if you want to take it slow.

4. Col de Turini

Distance: approximately 100 km (loop from Nice) Duration: full day Difficulty: challenging

Made legendary by the Monte Carlo Rally, the Col de Turini (1,607 m) is a bucket-list ride. From Nice, head up the Vésubie valley to La Bollène-Vésubie, then tackle the climb: 15 km at an average 7.2% gradient with 34 hairpin bends. The descent towards Sospel through the Piaon gorges is equally thrilling.

Rider’s tip: The road is generally open from May to October (check conditions before setting out). The Hôtel des Trois Vallées restaurant at the summit is a classic lunch stop. Watch out for damp patches in shaded forest sections.

5. Gorges du Verdon loop

Distance: approximately 130 km Duration: full day Difficulty: moderate

The Verdon Gorge is Europe’s largest canyon, with cliffs reaching 700 metres deep. The Route des Crêtes (D23) on the south bank is a continuous sequence of bends with vertiginous viewpoints. The north bank (D952) is more flowing but equally scenic with well-placed lookouts. Start and finish in Castellane, passing through Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, officially one of France’s most beautiful villages.

Rider’s tip: Ride the south bank in the morning for the best light. Pack a picnic for Lac de Sainte-Croix. July and August are very busy; September offers the perfect balance of warm weather and quiet roads.

6. Gorges du Loup and the Caussols Plateau

Distance: approximately 60 km Duration: half day Difficulty: easy to moderate

Less well-known than the Verdon, this ride from Vence or Grasse is a hidden gem. The Gorges du Loup feature impressive waterfalls and sheer cliffs. Climbing to the Caussols Plateau, the landscape transforms into a stark, almost lunar karst at 1,000 metres elevation, with open views across the pre-Alps.

Rider’s tip: Continue to Gourdon, a dramatically perched village, then descend to the coast via the D3. The Caussols Plateau is home to the Côte d’Azur Observatory, one of France’s most important astronomical research sites.

7. Gorges du Daluis and Gorges du Cians

Distance: approximately 200 km (loop from Nice or Grasse) Duration: full day Difficulty: challenging

Nicknamed the “Niçois Colorado”, the Gorges du Daluis are famous for their blood-red pelite cliffs plunging vertically into the Var river. The road (D2202) is carved into the rock face, with tunnels and sections where the cliff wall is within arm’s reach. The neighbouring Gorges du Cians offer a similarly dramatic spectacle with even narrower passages.

Rider’s tip: Start from Grasse via the Napoleon Road to Castellane, then head to Guillaumes past the Castillon dam. Fill up before entering the gorges as petrol stations are scarce for a significant stretch.

8. Vésubie Valley and the Mercantour

Distance: approximately 120 km (return from Nice) Duration: full day Difficulty: moderate

The Vésubie valley (D2565) is the most direct gateway from Nice to the Mercantour National Park. The road follows a narrow valley lined with authentic mountain villages: Lantosque, Roquebillière, Saint-Martin-Vésubie. Vegetation shifts from Mediterranean scrub to larch forests and snow-capped peaks as you climb.

Rider’s tip: Ride up to Le Boréon (1,500 m) for a lakeside nature break. On the way back, detour to the Madone d’Utelle for an extraordinary panorama of the entire Riviera coast. Some roads were damaged by Storm Alex in 2020 but the main routes have been restored.

9. Massif des Maures (loop from Fréjus)

Distance: approximately 150 km Duration: full day Difficulty: moderate

The Massif des Maures is a green oasis between Fréjus and Toulon, with twisting roads through cork oak and chestnut forests. The D558 and D39 deliver flowing curves under a shaded canopy. The descent into Bormes-les-Mimosas rewards you with a magnificent view of the Îles d’Or (Porquerolles, Port-Cros, Le Levant).

Rider’s tip: Stop in Collobrières, the “chestnut capital”, for artisan marrons glacés (candied chestnuts). The shaded roads are pleasant even in peak summer heat. During high fire-risk periods in July and August, some forest tracks may be closed.

10. Perched villages loop (Vence - Grasse hinterland)

Distance: approximately 80 km Duration: half day Difficulty: easy

This relaxed ride links the most picturesque hilltop villages of the Nice hinterland. Starting from Vence (don’t miss the Matisse Chapel), ride through Tourrettes-sur-Loup, Bar-sur-Loup, Gourdon, Grasse, Cabris and back via Saint-Paul-de-Vence. Roads are narrow but quiet, with plunging views of the coast at every bend.

Rider’s tip: Saint-Paul-de-Vence is stunning but extremely busy during the day. Arrive early morning or late afternoon. From Cabris, the panorama stretching over the Bay of Cannes and the Lérins Islands is one of the finest on the Riviera.

Practical advice before you go

The best riding season on the Côte d’Azur runs from April to October, peaking in July-August. Spring (April-May) and early autumn (September-October) offer the ideal balance of good weather and empty roads. Mountain passes like the Turini and Bonette are typically open from May-June to October depending on snowfall. Watch out for narrow hinterland roads where meeting a coach or campervan on a blind bend can get interesting. Finally, fill up regularly: petrol stations become scarce once you leave the coast.