Attractive Destinations

Photogenic and thrilling to drive, the Riviera Corniches are three roads that follow the coastline of the Mediterranean from Nice, France through Monaco to Cap-Martin and Menton on the Italian border. 

The three coast roads follow the same 20 to 30 mile (32 to 50 km) stretch of coastline at different levels along the mountainside.

The Grande Corniche is the highest of the three roads.  It was originally started under Napoleon, and if you’re into a bit of history, it pretty much follows the Roman Aurelian Way.  You get grande sweeping views from this one in places, but occasionally dip behind the mountains. 

There are not nearly enough places to stop to admire the views, but it’s worth the drive all the same.  The most spectacular stretch of all three roads is on this one… the 11 miles (18 km) from La Turbie to Nice.

The Moyenne Corniche is the middle road.  There are several towns to stop at on the Moyenne Corniche.  One is the medieval village of Eze.  It is a labyrinth of narrow walking streets perched on a rocky outcrop high above the Mediterranean.  It is a little touristy but pretty, and worth a visit. 

There are lots of restaurants and cafes as well as art and antique shops.  Most are pretty expensive, but you can find reasonable places to eat. There are also a couple of expensive and well known hotels in the village.

The Corniche Inferieure or Basse Corniche hugs the coast.  It’s the old coastal road that connects this string of beautiful little towns and villages between steep mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. 

Which is the best of the Riviera Corniches to drive?  To combine the best of all three, follow the Moyenne Corniche east from Nice as it twists past Monaco and below the castle of Roquebrune before merging with the Corniche Inferieure at Cap-Martin. Return along the Grande Corniche for those spectacular views we spoke of.

You can visit this area with its wonderful Mediterranean climate any time of the year.  The prettiest time is April and May.  It gets very crowded in July and August when most Europeans take their one month vacation.

There are other little towns to stop in for views, food and places to stay if you want to break your drive here: Villefranche-sur-Mer, Cap Ferrat, Beaulieu, Cap d’Ail, Monaco – Monte Carlo, La Turbie, Roquebrune Cap Martin and finally Menton.

You can drive into Monaco for the day and pay to take a peek inside the casino….  even wager a Euro or two. If you’re a high roller, get a hotel and gamble in the casino at night.  You can get a great view of the mini-state of Monaco from the Moyenne Corniche.

If you don’t want to stop in one of the towns for the night, just take your time as you drive it from Nice or one of the towns in Provence into northern Italy… or just drive round trip from one of the French towns.  

Any way you drive them, the Riviera Corniches make for a great scenic drive.