Col de Vence
D2Vence to Col de Vence · Alpes-Maritimes
The Riviera back-country road carmakers head straight for when launching a new car, a twisting climb above Vence into a lunar plateau.
The D2 climbs out of the hilltop town of Vence into the wild, rocky back country of the Alpes-Maritimes, cresting the 963 metre Col de Vence before running on toward Coursegoules. The lower switchbacks open ever wider views back over Vence and the glittering Mediterranean, then the landscape turns almost lunar, all bare limestone, scattered rock arches and empty plateau. It has a serious reputation among the motoring press as a default proving ground for car launches near Nice, prized for its mix of technical hairpins and flowing high sections. Traffic thins quickly above the town. The surface is decent though it can be patchy in the high open stretches. Mind grazing sheep and unfenced livestock on the plateau, gusty crosswinds up top, and the popularity with bikes and cyclists on fine weekends.
Where it runs
Character
Elevation
645 m rangeKnow before you go
- Unfenced livestock on the plateau
- Gusty crosswinds in the open high section
- Heavy bike and cyclist traffic at weekends
Sources
In these collections
Nearby roads
The closest great drives to Col de Vence.
