The sea is close in Sospel, but the road keeps it hidden for a while. Col de Braus comes first: just over 1,000 metres, tight bends above the Bévéra valley. The descent drops towards L’Escarène, then the route climbs again into the drier hills behind the coast. Peille, rock faces, pines, pale stone walls; the Alps slowly lose their weight. Near La Turbie and the Grande Corniche, the Mediterranean finally appears. Nice sits below with rooftops, harbour, promenade and open water. This is not a quiet finish.
