Peille loop from Nice

Rolling out of Niza along the Paillon river, this loop builds steadily from the start, climbing over the rugged slopes of Col de Nice before dropping toward L’Escarène and into the narrow gorge of the Paillon. The road feels enclosed and traditional here, with rock walls tight to the tarmac and very little sense of the coast you left behind.

The real highlight begins near La Cave de Peille, where the D53 rises sharply toward Peille in a dramatic sequence of tight hairpins stacked against the hillside. It is a demanding but beautiful ascent, with a strong mountain character in a compact format. The return via La Turbie and Eze reintroduces wide Mediterranean views, finishing the loop with classic Riviera scenery before dropping back into Nice.