The Three Corniches are 3 roads with dramatic coastal views in Cote d'Azur

# The Corniche Roads: Three Epic Drives Along the French Riviera

Heading east from Nice toward Menton along the stunning Côte d'Azur, you'll find three legendary highways carved dramatically into the mountainside. Known as Les Trois Corniches, these parallel routes stretch about 20 miles between the sea and mountains, offering some of Europe's most breathtaking coastal scenery—and they're honestly some of the world's best drives.

Since the 19th century, engineers have built not just one but three scenic routes that became icons in their own right. You've probably seen them in classic films without even realizing it—Hitchcock's *To Catch a Thief*, *Grace of Monaco*, and several James Bond flicks all featured these roads for good reason. Each corniche has its own personality, though fair warning: summer traffic gets absolutely packed on the lower two.

**The Grande Corniche** sits highest up at around 1,500 feet elevation, following Napoleon's original route along the ancient Via Julia Augusta. It's the most spectacular but also the most demanding—narrow in spots, prone to fog, and historically the most accident-prone. Still, confident drivers willing to tackle it on clear days get rewarded with truly unspoiled views. You'll understand why it's a favorite for car commercials.

**The Moyenne Corniche**, built between 1910 and 1928, offers the perfect middle ground at about 472 meters elevation. It's faster than the coastal route and delivers equally stunning views while cutting through dramatic rock formations. Fair heads-up though: it's known as an accident hotspot, probably because tourists can't stop gazing at the scenery.

**The Basse Corniche** hugs the coast, passing through charming seaside towns like Villefranche-sur-Mer and Beaulieu-sur-Mer. It's the most congested (mostly commuter traffic heading to Monaco) but offers that relaxed seaside vibe if you're not in a rush. Built back in the 1860s, it runs practically alongside the railway for most of the journey.