Walks · Our pick on the Riviera
The Three Corniches: the back story
The back story
About The Three Corniches: the back story
Between Nice and Menton, three roads run one above the other. The Basse Corniche follows the shore through Villefranche, Beaulieu and Èze-Bord-de-Mer. The Moyenne Corniche passes Èze village. The Grande Corniche climbs highest, past La Turbie.
On film
In June 1954, Hitchcock filmed the chase in To Catch a Thief on the Grande Corniche between Èze and La Turbie, with Grace Kelly at the wheel and Cary Grant beside her (Côte d’Azur France tourism). GoldenEye used the Grande Corniche near the Col d’Èze (regional tourism board).
Driving them
The roads are narrow and busy in summer, with few places to stop. The Zou! coaches and the coastal train are easier for the lower towns.
Drive the Grande Corniche early in the morning, when the light is clear and the road is quiet.
Our advice: drive up by the Grande Corniche, stop at Èze, and come back along the sea by train.
Why it's on our list
- On film
- Driving them
- Our advice
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with The Three Corniches: the back story before you go.
What’s nearby
Distances from The Three Corniches: the back story are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 15 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Key sights
- Èze village100 mWalk 1 minCycle 1 minCar or taxi 5 min
- Villa Ephrussi4.5 kmCycle 18 minCar or taxi 13 min
- Musée Matisse7.0 kmCycle 28 minCar or taxi 17 min
- Cours Saleya (Vieux Nice)7.9 kmCycle 32 minCar or taxi 19 min
- Promenade des Anglais9.0 kmCycle 36 minCar or taxi 20 min
- Nice Côte d’Azur Airport14 kmCar or taxi 29 min
- Musée Picasso, Antibes25 kmCar or taxi 48 min
- Palais des Festivals34 kmCar or taxi 63 min
Main railway stations
- Nice-Ville8.5 kmCycle 34 minCar or taxi 20 min
- Menton12 kmCar or taxi 25 min
- Nice Saint-Augustin (airport)14 kmCar or taxi 29 min
- Antibes25 kmCar or taxi 48 min
- Cannes34 kmCar or taxi 63 min