Bouyon / Grasse

This final stage of the Grand Tour des Préalpes d’Azur takes cyclists away from the Estéron Valley, back to the Loup River, along its southern stretch. Leaving the picturesque village of Bouyon behind you, follow the Gorges du Bouyon, then there’s a short climb to Coursegoules. Enjoy a long descent, not just for the elating ride, but also to admire the villages of Gourdon, Cipières and Gréolières, standing out against the surrounding mountains. Follow the Gorges du Loup before climbing to Gourdon to savour a final 360° view over the Préalpes d’Azur. Lastly, you’ll feel almost as though you’re diving like a peregrine falcon on the descent towards Grasse. It makes an exhilarating end to this uplifting cycling adventure around the high limestone plateaux of the Provençal Alps.

The Route

This stage is marked by two long descents that require your full concentration, but don’t hesitate to stop at times to make the most of splendid viewing points. Note that there are two stretches where motorized traffic can be heavy:

• Between Gourdon and Châteauneuf-Grasse (Magagnosc) on the D3 road, with an extremely steep descent, at a gradient of 15%;
• Along the D2085B, and taking in the avenues St-Laurent and Antoine de St-Exupéry crossing Grasse.

Don't miss

• Bouyon: Penitents’ chapels, to St Pons and St Roch, plus St Etienne Oratory; St-Trophime parish church; the vestiges of the medieval castle; the former communal bread oven; a variety of shops.
• Bézaudun-les-Alpes: Notre-Dame-du-Peuple Chapel with its fine retable painted by Nice-born Renaissance painter Ludovico Bréa; St Martin’s parish church; Porte Haute gateway and other vestiges of the ramparts; the views
• Coursegoules: the former Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs; Place du Cheiron, a square providing wonderful views on the eponymous range; the old washhouse (lavoir); Place du Plat, the Jardin du Vallon du Brec; a good variety of shops
• Gourdon: the views from Place Victoria; the fountain; a wide range of shops
• Grasse and le 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.