The French Riviera can be a hectic place especially during the summer months, so escape the crowds and spend an afternoon exploring these winding coastal roads.
Les Corniches are a trio of routes that hug the cliffs between Nice and Menton. Each spanning around 32 kilometres, they all provide stunning views over the undulating coastline of the Côte D'Azur.
The Grande Corniche is the highest of the three roads, carved into the mountainside it rises approximately 457 metres above sea level. One on side cliffs cascade down to the turquoise waters and on the other, gentle hills blanketed in thick pine forests are dotted with rustic villas.
The middle road, The Moyenne Corniche, is less hair-raising but offers equally stunning views. The road winds up to the hilltop village of Èze, which stands on a dome of rock jutting out from the cliffs. Perched above the village is the Jardin Exotique d’Èze, the best place to see spectacular views over the hills and the Mediterranean below.
The Basse Corniche weaves along the coast and past the iconic coastal resorts of the Riviera. It’s the busiest of the three roads but the twinkling periwinkle blue water below and the dramatic cliffs still make it a beautiful drive.
Picture courtesy of Shutterstock.com / Circumnavigation