The Corniche Roads: Engineering Marvels and Scenic Splendors

The three corniche roads between Nice and Menton represent different approaches to coastal travel. The Grande Corniche, following the Roman Via Julia Augusta, runs high above the coast, offering spectacular views but little sea access. The Moyenne Corniche threads a middle way, passing through Èze with its perched village and exotic garden. The Basse Corniche hugs the waterfront, connecting a string of former fishing villages transformed into exclusive resorts.

Each route tells its own story. The Grande Corniche speaks of empire and military necessity, its strategic importance evident in the fortifications crowning every promontory. The Moyenne Corniche, built in the early 20th century, represents the golden age of motor tourism, its carefully engineered curves designed for the automobile age. The Basse Corniche evolved from coastal paths, its intimate relationship with the sea reflecting centuries of maritime life.

The villages along these routes each maintain distinct characters despite their proximity. Villefranche-sur-Mer preserves its deep natural harbor and colorful waterfront, the buildings' ochre and pink facades creating one of the coast's most photographed scenes. Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, occupying its own peninsula, houses some of the world's most expensive real estate, yet provides public access to coastal paths offering democratic views of millionaire villas.