Nice is located between sea and mountains. The motorcycle routes leave directly from the city to varied landscapes. You can drive backcountry in minutes or drive east and west along the coast. Half a day is enough to enjoy. The Mediterranean climate allows outings all year round with some precautions in winter.
Short half-day trips from Nice
The Moyenne Corniche towards Èze
The Moyenne Corniche leaves Nice via Boulevard Carnot then the D6007. The road climbs rapidly over the sea and offers an unobstructed view of the bay of Villefranche from the first kilometers.
The turns follow one another up to the Col d'Èze at an altitude of 370 meters. The medieval village of Èze stands on a rocky peak, with its stone houses and paved streets. From the exotic garden, the view extends over the entire Baie des Anges to Cap d'Antibes.
• Approximately 30 km round trip
• 45 minutes one way while driving slowly
• Return possible via the bass or the Grande Corniche
The Col de Turini by Sospel
The Col de Turini is joined from Nice by the D2204 in the direction of Sospel. This small town in the Bévéra Valley preserves a 13th century medieval bridge and colorful facades along the river.
After Sospel, the road climbs progressively to the pass by a succession of numbered bends. The bitumen is generally in good condition and the coniferous forest accompanies the entire ascent. The pass culminates at 1,607 meters and offers open panoramas of the Alpine peaks.
• 70 km from Nice
• 2 to 3 hours round trip
• Pass sometimes closed in winter depending on snow conditions
The Napoleon road to Grasse
From Nice, the Napoleon route starts in Golfe Juan after following the coast to Antibes. The N85 follows the route taken by Napoleon in 1815 when he returned from Elba.
The ascent to Grasse crosses hills covered with mimosas and olive trees. Grasse is located 350 meters above sea level and remains known for its perfume industry and its ancient center with narrow streets.
• Approximately 80 km round trip
• 2:30 to 3 hours depending on the pace
• Return possible via Cannes or by the same route
Day itineraries around Nice
The loop of the Gorges du Loup
This loop starts from Nice to Vence then Tourrettes sur Loup, two well-preserved medieval villages. The road then continues into the Gorges du Loup, a spectacular canyon carved by the river.
The cliffs drop steeply and the road offers several impressive views, especially near the Pont du Loup and the Courmes waterfall. The climb to Gourdon allows you to dominate the entire coast before going down to Grasse and then Nice.
• Approximately 150 km
• 5 to 6 hours with breaks
• Great for a full day
Var Valley and Tinea Valley
Leaving Nice through the Var Valley, the road gradually climbs up to the Alps. Villages follow one another along the river before branching off to the Tinea Valley.
The climb to Isola 2000 offers an increasingly mountainous landscape, with numerous hairpins in the last kilometers. The contrast between the coast and the peaks over 2,000 meters high is marked.
• Approximately 200 km
• 6 to 7 hours
• Recommended period from May to October
The Italian Riviera to Sanremo
Nice is less than 30 km from the Italian border. Along the sea along the Basse Corniche, you cross Monaco then Menton before crossing the border at Garavan. On the Italian side, the road quickly leads to Ventimiglia and then to Sanremo, a seaside resort known for its casino and its hilltop historic center.
• Approximately 130 km round trip
• 4 to 5 hours with stops
• Ideal exit to change countries easily
Rent a motorbike in Nice with Good Motors
Good Motors offers self-service motorcycle rental 24 hours a day in Nice, with pick-up at the Nice city train station or airport. The handling is done without time constraints, which allows you to leave early in the morning or to come home late.
For short outings around Nice, an A2 motorcycle is more than enough. For alpine passes or long distances, an A license motorcycle provides more comfort. Rental is available from 18 years old, no model is available under the A1 license.
When to go driving around Nice
Spring and autumn offer the best conditions. The temperatures remain pleasant and the luminosity highlights the landscapes. In winter, the coast remains passable but the passes may be closed depending on the snow.
