The Three Corniche Coastal Roads

Between Nice and Monaco/Menton, three superimposed coastal roads run — the famous Corniches. They are among the most spectacular roads in the world and each offers a completely different perspective on the Côte d'Azur:

Basse Corniche (Coastal Road, M6098)

The lower Corniche runs directly by the sea, through Villefranche-sur-Mer (one of the most picturesque harbors on the Côte d'Azur), Beaulieu-sur-Mer (with Villa Kérylos, a reconstruction of a Greek villa), and Cap-d'Ail. Slow, winding, close to the water. Perfect for photographing and stopping.

Moyenne Corniche (Middle Coastal Road, M6007)

The middle Corniche passes through the spectacular Èze — a medieval eagle's nest village 429 meters above the sea. Èze is one of the most visited places on the Côte d'Azur, and rightly so: winding stone alleys, an exotic garden with cacti and succulents on the castle ruins, and a panoramic view that can reach as far as Corsica. In the village, there is also a factory of Fragonard (free tour and perfume shopping). The Moyenne Corniche offers the best balance of view and accessibility.

Grande Corniche (Upper Coastal Road, D2564)

The upper Corniche, built by Napoleon on the route of the ancient Via Julia Augusta, reaches up to 512 meters above the sea. The views are breathtaking and dizzying at the same time. Most spectacular: the viewpoint Col d'Èze and the ruins of the Trophée des Alpes (Tropaeum Alpium) in La Turbie — a 35-meter-high Roman victory monument from 6 BC, erected in honor of Emperor Augustus' victory over the Alpine peoples. Alfred Hitchcock filmed scenes from "To Catch a Thief" (1955) here with Cary Grant and Grace Kelly.