The Col d'Eze

The Col d'Eze is a road made famous by the Paris-Nice race. (An early season race, dubbed "The Race to the Sun"). If the race ends in a time trial it usually goes up the Col d'Eze.

You can climb the Col d' Eze from three different sides. The side from Nice is the most famous, the road up from Eze village is the hardest, and the side from Monaco and Menton is relatively easy.

The Climb in Detail

“I ride up and down here to go get my milk and bread.” - Richie Porte after he had smashed the rest of the field in the Paris-Nice TT

The Ascents

There are three ascents to the summit of the Col d'Eze. The most famous one (and the TT course from Paris- Nice), starts at the harbour. The climb to the first hairpin is long and it climbs steeply to here at the observatory. As you turn the corner at the Observatory you leave behind the hustle and bustle of the city and the houses become bigger, finally giving way to scrubland and forest and great views out over the bay. There is a final kick to the summit, but nothing in comparison to the start.

The second way up to the Col d'Eze is from Eze village. This is short, but brutally steep.

The third way up from Menton is the longest, but rarely goes above 6% and winds its way slowly up from the coast.

Be Careful!

If descending down the hill via the observatory route back to Nice town centre, be very careful on the lower half of the slopes, many hidden side roads and obscured traffic lights are present!

"Paris - Nice: 'The race to the sun'"

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