Montauroux / Vence Véloroute littorale

The Route

There’s a signposted section along quiet little tracks, in good part following the route of the former Chemins de Fer de Provence. Up to Châteauneuf, the way is mainly along busy roads. This is only for experienced cyclists. It is not suitable for families. 

To reach Grasse: ride for a while along the very busy, steep D2562 road before following a detour through Le Tignet from the level of the Chemin Fond du Flaquier. Take note, a sign is missing here. Leave the Méditerranée à Vélo cycle route by the Parcours Santé along the Chemin des Flaquiers, a bit before crossing the of the D2562. Follow the signposting indicating the cycle route towards Peymeinade / Grasse.

The climb to Grasse: take care crossing the D2562 road. They you climb gradually towards Grasse, first following the GR hiking path, then a portion of the former railway track. At the Giratoire de la Liberté round-about, rejoin the Route de Draguignan (D2652) to climb, going left, to Grasse, sharing the road with a good deal of motorized traffic. 

In Grasse, from the esplanade of the Jardin des Plantes, descend via Bd. Fragonard, then, after 500m, turn left along Bd. Jacques Crouet; a green sign (for cyclists) indicates Le Bar-sur-Loup / Tourrettes-sur-Loup / Vence. Take care as this road is very busy at rush hour. Be careful at the tunnel at Magagnosc, especially at rush hour, and don’t hesitate to dismount if you prefer, pushing your bike along the secure path reserved for pedestrians – this is located on the right-hand side of the road coming from Grasse. 

At Le Bar-sur-Loup, you pass via a former viaduct; take care to avoid the chains that are strung across the way.
Surfacing: on the section of greenway, there is a stretch on gravel at the level of Les Valettes.

In Vence, take care riding towards the town centre as you arrive along Ave. Henri Giraud, as the crossroads at the entrance to the town proves complex to get across.

Tourist Offices

• Office de tourisme de Montauroux and Maison du lac de St-Cassien
• Office de tourisme du Pays de Grasse
• Bureaux d’information touristique de Le Bar-sur-Loup and Tourrettes-sur-Loup
• Bureau d’information touristique métropolitain de Vence

SNCF train services

• Gare de Grasse

Don't miss

• Montauroux: Chapelle St-Barthélémy with its painted interiors; Pont des Tuves bridge; the fountains around the village; Les Bambous du Mandarin (a bamboo garden)
• Pays de Grasse: an area renowned for its flower crops, going in to making world-famous perfumes, and its skills related to perfume, recognized by UNESCO in 2018 as part of the world’s intangible heritage
• Le Bar-sur-Loup: St-Jacques le Majeur Church; bitter orange culinary specialities; market of Italian producers (3rd Saturday in the month)
• Tourrettes-sur-Loup: a medieval town with breathtaking views; the Confiserie du Pont-du-Loup, a sweet-maker; the museum and fields dedicated to local violets; the marché provençal, a market held every Wednesday 
• Vence: the historic town surrounded by fortifications; the Matisse Chapel; the town’s 24 fountains; the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de la Nativité; craquelin (a type of brioche made with a mix of cream and almonds) to give you strength! Also not to be missed in summer, the renowned music festival, Les Nuits du Sud.