A city on the French Riviera where the Mediterranean meets the foot of the climbs.
Nice is one of the clearest examples of what makes southern France so special for cycling. From the Promenade des Anglais, the road can follow the coast toward Antibes, turn inland toward the hills above Monaco, or head into the Alpes-Maritimes for a full day of climbing. It is a destination built around contrast. The first few kilometers can feel almost flat, with the sea close by and traffic gradually giving way to quieter roads. Then the gradient changes. Col d’Èze, Col de la Madone, Col de Braus, and Col de Turini are all within reach from the city, giving Nice a variety that few coastal destinations can match.
It is not just a place for summer. In fact, some of its best routes are enjoyed outside the busiest months, when temperatures are milder, the roads are quieter, and the climbs can be ridden at a better rhythm. Nice works because everything starts close by: the coast, the climbs, and the long roads heading inland. Welcome to Nice. A city between the sea and the mountains.
To mark the finish of the Tour de Femmes avec Zwift, we thought it made a lot of sense to present our guide to visiting this city, which has long been on the map for many professionals in the world of sport.
Route 1: Nice to Cap d’Antibes
Distance: 56.2 km
Elevation gain: 210 m
This is the introductory coastal route. From Nice, the route heads west alongside the Mediterranean, using the flattest roads connecting the city with Cagnes sur Mer, Villeneuve Loubet, and Antibes.
The effort remains controlled, making it a good first ride or a gentler day between more demanding routes. Cap d’Antibes marks the destination of the route: a peninsula with sea views, short bends, and a different rhythm from the city. Ride this route for the coast, for the opening kilometers, and for the chance to settle into the rhythm of the French Riviera.
Route 2: Col d’Èze and Col de la Madone
Distance: 77 km
Elevation gain: 1,582 m
This is Nice’s classic route. The road leaves the coast and climbs toward Col d’Èze, one of the cycling landmarks of the French Riviera (a climb tackled four times in the final stage of the Tour de France Femmes). It is close to the city, but the change is immediate: less noise, more elevation gain, and long views back toward the sea.
From there, the route continues toward Col de la Madone, a climb with an important place in the local training culture. The loop through La Turbie leads back toward Nice with enough elevation gain to feel complete, but without turning it into a high-mountain day. This is the route that best explains why so many cyclists use Nice as a base.
Route 3: Col de Braus and Col de Turini Loop
Distance: 132.7 km
Elevation gain: 3,483 m
This is the long day. From Nice, the route heads inland and links two of the area's major climbs: Col de Braus and Col de Turini. The distance is substantial, but it is the elevation gain that defines the route. Braus brings narrow roads and repeated switchbacks. Turini takes the route deeper into the mountains, with a climb that feels very different from the coastal roads below. This is not a recovery ride or a simple loop from the city. It is a full day in the Alpes-Maritimes and the most demanding option of this escape.
After the ride: Brume Coffee
After the rides, Brume Coffee adds a simple local stop to the Nice chapter. Located in Vieux Nice, it is close enough to the center to work after a coastal spin, a loop from Col d’Èze, or a longer day returning from the hills. It is a specialty coffee shop and small canteen, with coffee, pastries, and seasonal food. For this article, it works because it does not try to be a cycling landmark. It is simply a useful place to end the ride, recover for a moment, and head back into the city.
Between the coast and the climbs
These three routes show the variety that makes Nice work as a cycling escape. Cap d’Antibes offers the city’s coastal side. Col d’Èze and Madone bring the classic climbs above the Riviera. Braus and Turini take the route into the Alpes-Maritimes.
Together, they make Nice more than just a fair-weather destination. From the same base, a rider can choose a gentler day by the sea, a full climbing loop, or an all-day mountain route. Start on the Promenade des Anglais, follow the coast, or turn inland. Here, the road changes quickly and the views of the Côte d’Azur always remain within reach.
