Col de Vence, Provence, France
Discussion
My brother (Billy83) wrote a good little article on the Col de Vence for my blog.
The original article + photos (thanks Trackdemon) can be found here:
http://www.rackandopinion.com/2008/02/col-de-vence...
The Col de Vence: The Best Road in Europe?
As anyone who watches Top Gear must already know, the finest driving roads in the world are to be found in the Alps. While no-one can disagree with the quality of the Davos-Stelvio road as being one of the finest, the Top Gear team do appear to have made one glaring mistake (not for the first time!) in their ignorance of what must surely be Davos-Stelvio's most credible competitor, the incredible Col de Vence.
It runs roughly from Malamaire to Vence and in topography it is similar to the Davos road and can be split into two main sections. If you join the D2211 from the Route Napoleon and remember to then turn onto the D2 you will be treating yourself to the most majestically varied and challenging road you can find.
The first section is a fast-paced undulating section which sweeps across the plateau that towers above Cannes and Nice. While the word plateau may conjure up images of dull camber-less terrain, this part of the road is anything but.
It peaks and crests as if flowing over a series of static waves, creating a demanding, smooth road blessed with clear sight lines, allowing you to use all the road and place your car exactly where you want it.
After 15 glorious miles this part of the road then starts to descend through a series of deep gorges, carved out by the river the road follows, clinging to the side. While the sight lines are not quite as clear as they were before, the change of scenery and rock faces leaning over the road create a glorious natural amplification of your exhaust!
The road then passes through the side of the mountain and clings to the side of the cliffs which soar high above the coast, creating incredible unobstructed views of the beautiful, if overcrowded, coastline below.
This part, as used in the Monte Carlo Rallye, is precariously placed between sheer rock face above and below so care is recommended when tackling this part of the road. Here the views are only broken by intermittent tunnels (and the promise of even more noise!).
It then plunges down in a series of tight bends and hairpins, but unlike the Stelvio Pass, the road is not too steep and represents a brilliant challenge and affords plenty of opportunities for a bit of playful oversteer, given that you can see whether anything's coming the other way.
Overall the road serves as a reminder of days past when the roads weren't so crowded, so if you ever find yourself in the area and have even the slightest amount of petrol flowing through your veins be sure to visit this little gem.
www.rackandopinion.com
The original article + photos (thanks Trackdemon) can be found here:
http://www.rackandopinion.com/2008/02/col-de-vence...
The Col de Vence: The Best Road in Europe?
As anyone who watches Top Gear must already know, the finest driving roads in the world are to be found in the Alps. While no-one can disagree with the quality of the Davos-Stelvio road as being one of the finest, the Top Gear team do appear to have made one glaring mistake (not for the first time!) in their ignorance of what must surely be Davos-Stelvio's most credible competitor, the incredible Col de Vence.
It runs roughly from Malamaire to Vence and in topography it is similar to the Davos road and can be split into two main sections. If you join the D2211 from the Route Napoleon and remember to then turn onto the D2 you will be treating yourself to the most majestically varied and challenging road you can find.
The first section is a fast-paced undulating section which sweeps across the plateau that towers above Cannes and Nice. While the word plateau may conjure up images of dull camber-less terrain, this part of the road is anything but.
It peaks and crests as if flowing over a series of static waves, creating a demanding, smooth road blessed with clear sight lines, allowing you to use all the road and place your car exactly where you want it.
After 15 glorious miles this part of the road then starts to descend through a series of deep gorges, carved out by the river the road follows, clinging to the side. While the sight lines are not quite as clear as they were before, the change of scenery and rock faces leaning over the road create a glorious natural amplification of your exhaust!
The road then passes through the side of the mountain and clings to the side of the cliffs which soar high above the coast, creating incredible unobstructed views of the beautiful, if overcrowded, coastline below.
This part, as used in the Monte Carlo Rallye, is precariously placed between sheer rock face above and below so care is recommended when tackling this part of the road. Here the views are only broken by intermittent tunnels (and the promise of even more noise!).
It then plunges down in a series of tight bends and hairpins, but unlike the Stelvio Pass, the road is not too steep and represents a brilliant challenge and affords plenty of opportunities for a bit of playful oversteer, given that you can see whether anything's coming the other way.
Overall the road serves as a reminder of days past when the roads weren't so crowded, so if you ever find yourself in the area and have even the slightest amount of petrol flowing through your veins be sure to visit this little gem.
www.rackandopinion.com
Thanks for the heads up.
There was another road we drove around there, does that one split in two, one way dual carriageways that wind through some mountain tunnels? Simonspider told us about it and its truly, truly epic.
I will see if I can find that one on googlemaps, it is awesome!
There was another road we drove around there, does that one split in two, one way dual carriageways that wind through some mountain tunnels? Simonspider told us about it and its truly, truly epic.
I will see if I can find that one on googlemaps, it is awesome!
Edited by S3am on Monday 4th February 19:17
hello,
yes, that's the one.
i will try and dig out some pics.
this year we're including the same road (from castellane this time) but turning left just before the end of the spirited dual carr. section ... this will lead (just 20km)up to la bollene vesubie and the monte carlo rallye special stage (col du turini)... from sospel we hit the coast and enjoy the tunnels en route to alassio (italian riviera) for a well earned rest.
Never heard of Simonspider !
d
yes, that's the one.
i will try and dig out some pics.
this year we're including the same road (from castellane this time) but turning left just before the end of the spirited dual carr. section ... this will lead (just 20km)up to la bollene vesubie and the monte carlo rallye special stage (col du turini)... from sospel we hit the coast and enjoy the tunnels en route to alassio (italian riviera) for a well earned rest.
Never heard of Simonspider !
dS3am said:
hehe sorry, its the PH name for the long term Evo Lambo LP640 guy.
no, sorry ... still never heard of him.Johno said:
Will be there on 3rd May . . . After the Col Turini, headnig for Verdon 
you will do well to better Sospel > Col du Turini > La Bollene Vesubie > Castellane .... north or south from castellane is v good, and of course the gorges du verdon = straight on ... if you want road numbers, i'll have to look at the map. ... but jo will be along soon and beat me to it.
dThe route I have planned is . ..
Monaco to Col D'Turini via Sospel onto . . .
. .. . La Bollene Vesubie then south to Vence
Heading north out of Vence to Verdon across N85 south of Castellaine
Full circuit of Gorge du Verdon heading back on N85 at Castellaine
Castellaine to Avignon heading south along the valley past Brunet
Ideally if we have time we'll do Ventoux as well, but I don't think we will . . . Although I like the idea of doing it at night
Monaco to Col D'Turini via Sospel onto . . .
. .. . La Bollene Vesubie then south to Vence
Heading north out of Vence to Verdon across N85 south of Castellaine
Full circuit of Gorge du Verdon heading back on N85 at Castellaine
Castellaine to Avignon heading south along the valley past Brunet
Ideally if we have time we'll do Ventoux as well, but I don't think we will . . . Although I like the idea of doing it at night
Hmmm. Col de Vence ok and usually not crowded but its probably the least convincing Alpine pass I've driven - I think they filmed the Goldeneye car chase on one of the roads off the Col de Vence - I can't believe anyone would suggest this is a really great road - good but you can do an awful lot better in the Alp Maritine IMHO.
Top Gear's Davos to Stelvio via the Fluela pass in a different league.
Top Gear's Davos to Stelvio via the Fluela pass in a different league.
Gruffy said:
dom180 said:
...the Fluela pass in a different league.
I concur. The Fluelapass is one of the best for a quicker drive. As above, I think the Col du Vence is good but many of the lesser known cols and gorges in the region convincingly outshine it.Gruffy said:
I don't think Dom was suggesting they were neighbours, just floating an alternative 'destination road.'
How about listing these "many of the lesser known cols and gorges in the region"
Outside of Andermatt, the Alps-Maritimes is probably the most concentrated petrolhead playground there is. If you had your heart set on Switzerland would the good lady be persuaded by one of the fantastic spa hotels in the mountains (that'll buy you a few hours at a time for some world class hoonery) or is the lure of the Riviera too strong?
Gruffy said:
Outside of Andermatt, the Alps-Maritimes is probably the most concentrated petrolhead playground there is. If you had your heart set on Switzerland would the good lady be persuaded by one of the fantastic spa hotels in the mountains (that'll buy you a few hours at a time for some world class hoonery) or is the lure of the Riviera too strong?
I love the Cote d'Azur too & we get a great deal @ Four Seasons Provence so unlikely to venture North.... I've also heard that the Swiss police are, er, 'enthuisiastic' in their enforcement of speed limits. I've never seen a police car on the Col d Vence (or any of the other fun roads in the region).Gassing Station | Roads | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff