recommended route
Stage 1
Itinerary n°1 - 2 days - Stage 1 Nice - Isola Village
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Orientation table of the Madone d'UtellePhoto: Metropole Nice Côte d'Azur
A tour de force that takes you to the heart of the Tinée valley on little-travelled roads, with sublime views.
This 1st stage follows the road to Levens and then Duranus, a quiet, winding road offering panoramic views over the Vésubie valley. Don't miss the Saut des Français viewpoint at the top of the Côte de Duranus.
After a rapid descent, the route rejoins the Vésubie valley at Saint-Jean-la-Rivière. From here, a fork leads to the hilltop village of Utelle and the road to the Madonna sanctuary.
This mythical climb was in the international spotlight in 2016, when the finish of the Paris-Nice stage was judged at the summit and won by Russian Ilnur Zakarin ahead of Spaniard Alberto Contador.
At the top of the Col de la Madone, don't miss the opportunity to climb 500 m higher to admire the magnificent 360° view of the sea and the Mercantour peaks from the panoramic viewpoint.
To reach La Tour-sur Tinée, after a technical descent, you'll have to climb a steep ascent.
The village of La Tour sur Tinée is well worth a visit. Entering the village streets and discovering the square with its fountain is a pleasure to share.
After this last ascent, a rapid descent awaits cyclists, before finally reaching the Tinée valley and the village of Isola, the end of this first day.
Author’s recommendation
Course reserved for experienced athletes and cyclists
All outdoor activities in the Nice Côte d'Azur region can be found at https://outdoor.nicecotedazur.org/fr
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Safety information
BASIC RULES
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Choose a climb suited to your physical condition, and don't overestimate your abilities.
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Before setting off, find out about mountain weather conditions and pass opening times.
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Carry identification and a telephone number to call in case of danger.
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Respect the environment
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Control your speed on the descent
THE RIGHT REFLEXES FOR GROUP RIDING
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Riding two abreast is authorized, but single file is mandatory:
at dusk or when visibility is poor
When a vehicle wishing to overtake announces its approach.
ENCOUNTER WITH THE FAMOUS PATOUS POSSIBLE ON THE LAST KM OF THE MADONE ASCENT
These dogs keep a constant watch over the herds, threatening to attack anything that comes near.
A recurrent source of controversy, their presence regularly leads to incidents. Yet many of these incidents are avoidable, given the right precautions.
Tip 1: signal your arrival
On the road, in the upper part of the pass, the presence of patous is to be taken seriously and should encourage cyclists to be cautious and to signal their arrival from a distance, without shouting, as patous don't like to be surprised.
Tip no. 2: Keep a safe distance
For a patou that has been raised among sheep, any individual approaching the herd is a potential threat. It is therefore important to keep as much distance as possible from the flock. Move slowly and steadily
Tip 3: Accept confrontation
Dogs are trained to deter rather than attack. If they spot an intruder, they will start by barking and growling. They will often come up to the cyclist, looking aggressive, to sniff him or her out. In this case, you need to keep calm, speak in a soft voice, move forward without sudden gestures, and try not to show that you're afraid, so as to ease the tension. It's in the cyclist's best interest to get off the bike and walk quietly alongside.
Tip 4: Don't be aggressive
In the event of a confrontation, the dog must not be made to feel aggressive. So don't make eye contact and keep your head down.
Tip 5: Don't become prey
One of the worst things you can do is to run away at full speed. A watchdog runs much faster than any cyclist, and if you see him pedaling away at full speed, he could mistake you for prey.
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Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
The Lignes d'azur network offers a single fare system throughout the Nice Côte d'Azur metropolitan area. Validation is compulsory each time you board the bus, regardless of the ticket used. To consult all fares, click here: www.lignesdazur.com
Get Timetable to destination
Directions
Nice and its metropolitan area are served by the A8 "La Provençale" freeway, coming from Aix-en-Provence to the west and the border to the east.
To reach the city center, five exits have been designed to take you directly to the neighborhood of your choice:
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Exit 50: Promenade des Anglais
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Exit n°51: Saint-Augustin / airport
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Exit 52: Saint-Isidore
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Exit no. 54: Nice nord
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Exit 55: Nice est
Parking
Pay underground parking lots :
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RHUL MERIDIEN, access via rue Gustave V
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PARC AUTO DU PALAIS DE LA MEDITERRANEE , access via rue du Congrès
Coordinates
Equipment
-Wear an approved helmet
-Check the condition of your tires
-Carry a puncture repair kit
-Prefer at least one flashing LED light to be fixed on the seatpost to be seen by motorists, especially in the small tunnels which are not lacking in Metropolitan France.
- Remember to take an over-jacket or raincoat for descending mountain passes.
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Questions and answers
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