Grand Tour des Préalpes d'Azur à vélo

The Great Tour of the Prealps of the Azure Coast

Grand Tour des Préalpes d'Azur à vélo

A collection of 8 cycling routes.

Overview

About this collection

A challenging large loop between the Mediterranean and the Alps, in the heart of the Préalpes d’Azur Regional Natural Park. On the menu: long mountain passes, balcony roads, limestone gorges, and perched villages, with views that can stretch to the sea on clear days.

The profile is tough, with lots of elevation and sustained descents — perfect for trained cyclists or bikepacking mode. The route is mostly on roads, and some sections can be busy: start early, use lights, and stay visible.

Free departure (modular circuit) and direction of your choice: break the route into stages according to your legs and desires. You can find water and supplies in villages, but some sections are quite wild, so plan for autonomy.

Best seasons: spring and autumn for mildness and calm. In summer, it can be very hot on the lower slopes; in winter, watch out for cold and possible snow at altitude.

To sum up: a mountain–sea crossing full of character, from the garrigue to the plateaus, ideal for those who love long climbs, limestone landscapes, and the scent of adventure, while staying on the road.

Translated, show original (French)
8
Routes
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Duration
250.1 km
Distance
---
Avg. speed
10,957 m
Ascent
10,623 m
Descent

Grand Tour des Préalpes d'Azur à vélo

Routes in this collection

All 8 routes in this collection can be opened on the map or in the Bikemap App for more details, where you can adjust them in the route planner, or download them as GPX or KML file. Use them as a template for planning your own rides, or let Bikemap navigate you along them directly.

Le Grand Tour des Préalpes d'Azur - Étape 1: Grasse à Saint-Vallier-de-Thiey
Official

Le Grand Tour des Préalpes d'Azur - Étape 1: Grasse à Saint-Vallier-de-Thiey

Cycling route in Grasse, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region, France

From Grasse, the perfume capital, this first stage heads towards Saint-Vallier-de-Thiey, on the doorstep of the Pre-Alps of the Azure Coast. About 24 km on road with a rolling profile, some fast descents and good climbs. Several sections are quite busy, caution advised. Superb views of the Azure hi…
24.2 km
Distance
444 m
Ascent
777 m
Descent
Le Grand Tour des Préalpes d'Azur - Etape 6
Official

Le Grand Tour des Préalpes d'Azur - Etape 6

Cycling route in Grasse, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region, France

Short stage between Grasse and Opio: about 6 km almost entirely on asphalt, with around 185 m of elevation. Leaving the perfume capital, you climb and then ride through rolling sections towards the hills of Opio. The road is often busy: stay visible and cautious. Beautiful views of the Préalpes d’A…
6.1 km
Distance
185 m
Ascent
101 m
Descent
Le Grand Tour des Préalpes d’Azur – Étape 6: Opio → Gilette
Official

Le Grand Tour des Préalpes d’Azur – Étape 6: Opio → Gilette

Cycling route in Opio, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region, France

From the gentleness of Opio and its olive groves to the wild views of the Préalpes d’Azur, this stage strings together climbs. About 40 km with over 1,700 m of elevation gain, it stings but the panoramas reward. Mostly busy roads: stay visible and cautious. An airy finish to the perched village of …
39.8 km
Distance
1,761 m
Ascent
1,531 m
Descent
Le Grand Tour des Préalpes d'Azur - Etape 5
Official

Le Grand Tour des Préalpes d'Azur - Etape 5

Cycling route in Gilette, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region, France

Start from Gilette, a hilltop village in the Alpes-Maritimes, for a lively stage of the Grand Tour. About 40.8 km and ~2,180 m of climbing, with steep climbs and equally steep descents. Route predominantly on road, sometimes busy: stay visible and use lights/bell. Stunning views of the Préalpes d’A…
40.8 km
Distance
2,180 m
Ascent
2,357 m
Descent
Le Grand Tour des Préalpes d'Azur - Etape 4
Official

Le Grand Tour des Préalpes d'Azur - Etape 4

Cycling route in Puget-Théniers, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region, France

From Puget-Théniers to Gilette, this Grand Tour stage runs through the Préalpes d’Azur with tough elevation: about 35 km for +2080 m. You climb up to around 1150 m before a long descent to the perched village of Gilette, overlooking the Var and Estéron. Winding roads; caution on some busier section…
35.3 km
Distance
2,083 m
Ascent
1,928 m
Descent
Le Grand Tour des Préalpes d'Azur - Etape 4
Official

Le Grand Tour des Préalpes d'Azur - Etape 4

Cycling route in Puget-Théniers, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region, France

Short but tough stage around Puget-Théniers: about 15 km with over 800 m of elevation gain. You climb quickly above the Var valley before descending back to the town, gateway to the Préalpes d’Azur Regional Natural Park. Expect steep gradients, limestone views, and some busier road sections; take c…
14.8 km
Distance
834 m
Ascent
877 m
Descent
Le Grand Tour des Préalpes d'Azur - Etape 3
Official

Le Grand Tour des Préalpes d'Azur - Etape 3

Cycling route in Saint-Vallier-de-Thiey, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region, France

Mountain stage between Saint-Vallier-de-Thiey and Puget-Théniers. About 50 km with nearly 2,300 m of climbing, with a high point around 1,216 m: long ramps, a chain of valleys and beautiful descents. Mainly on paved roads, with some busier sections — stay visible. Departure from the heart of the Pr…
50.3 km
Distance
2,368 m
Ascent
1,732 m
Descent
Le Grand Tour des Préalpes d'Azur - Etape 2
Official

Le Grand Tour des Préalpes d'Azur - Etape 2

Cycling route in Saint-Vallier-de-Thiey, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region, France

Stage 2 of the Grand Tour: starting and finishing in Saint-Vallier-de-Thiey. About 39 km with a tough profile (1,100 m of climbing), with a highest point around 1,222 m. The route is mostly on roads, with a good portion being busy – stay alert. Saint-Vallier-de-Thiey, at the gateway to the Préalpes…
38.8 km
Distance
1,104 m
Ascent
1,320 m
Descent