Grasse / Saint-Vallier-de-Thiey

After visiting the world capital of perfume-making, time to cycle off towards St Cézaire sur Siagne, on one of the region’s panoramic roads known as the balcons d’azur (the name for the trails in the unspoilt hills behind the French Riviera). Looking sidewards, marvel at the breathtaking views down on the Mediterranean and on the inland St-Cassien Lake, as well as enjoying the green mountains of the arrière pays grassois, the rugged terrain inland from Grasse. Perched villages and head-spinning viewing points are dotted along this first stage leading to St Vallier de Thiey. Before that, leaving St Cézaire sur Siagne, in the far distance, you may make out the Thiey and Audibergue Mountains, but focus first on the hairpin bends leading up to the Col de la Lèque, a pass that you need to cross to win your spurs as a cyclist off to conquer the Grand Tour des Préalpes d’Azur.

The Route

Starting from Grasse, cyclists need to deal both with the steepness and the unrelenting traffic of the early stretches. Along Avenue du Général de Gaulle and the boulevards Pasteur and Belletrud, also known as the D4 road between Grasse and Cabris, motorized traffic can be very heavy at rush hour. In addition, on the stretches of the D11 and D13 roads you ride between Cabris and St Cézaire sur Siagne, there can also be a lot of traffic. Along the D13, there is a short stretch of cycle lane that has been put in place, but unfortunately it doesn’t go as far St Cézaire sur Siagne. Once past St Cézaire sur Siagne, motorized traffic gets a lot lighter.

Don't miss

• Grasse and the Pays de Grasse: for its perfume-making plants and perfume-related know-how, recognized since 2018 by UNESCO as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage.
• Cabris: a perched village with extraordinary views down on the Mediterranean, also offering welcome shade for a halt.
• Spéracèdes: a village clinging to a hillside, facing due south, offering the most splendid views down on the Golfe de la Napoule, a bay on the French Riviera.
• Le Tignet: a perched village providing majestic views stretching from Saint-Cassien Lake to Grasse, also taking in the Cannes Plain and the Massif du Tanneron Range.
• St Cézaire sur Siagne: Notre-Dame de Sardaigne chapel; Domaine de la Grotte de St-Cézaire, with caves to visit and family activities; the unspoilt Siagne Valley.
• St Vallier de Thiey: dominating the Gorges de la Haute Siagne, a stopover in the midst of nature that’s close to the Grotte de Baume Obscure and the natural Ponadieu Arch over the Siagne River.