Yesterday, Riviera Route took a client to the Parc Départemental de la Grande Corniche, high above the French Riviera. It was a steep climb, but certainly worth the trip!
The road winds its way up from historic La Turbie, with its "Trophy of the Alps", a 1st Century B.C. Roman monument still standing. At 690 metres above sea level, one reaches a plateau with some of the most breathtaking views in Europe.
From the Revère fort you have views of the most valuable coastline in France, from faraway St Tropez in the distant west, to the distinctive Cap Antibes and Cap Ferrat near Nice, through to the hill fortress of Èze in front of you and the protective mountains around Monaco to the East. The blue mass of the Mediterranean stretches out before you, dotted with yachts.
The nature reserve has a beautiful walking and cycling path running along the plateau. We walked eastward for an hour without reaching the end, before we turned back. The stroll reveals glimpses down onto luxurious villas with swimming pools and terraced gardens, which are hidden from street view by high walls when you're down on the coast.
Further along the trail we had a clear view all the way across the border into Italy, and the resort town of Bordighera.
Turning our heads away from the sea, we could also see Alpine peaks, still capped with snow in June.
The park is the perfect place for a picnic on a clear, sunny day; perhaps with a bottle of champagne or Provençal rosé in an ice bucket, and a large Niçoise salad with freshly baked focaccia for everyone. Parfait!
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