No soft landing on the final day: from Vinadio the route points straight at the Col de la Lombarde. The road climbs out of the Stura valley, narrowing and emptying as it reaches the border at around 2,350 metres. France begins with Isola 2000, then a long descent follows the Tinée through Isola, Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tinée, rock walls, gorges and tight valley villages. From Saint-Martin-du-Var the road feels wider, warmer and unmistakably southern. The last kilometres run into Nice: high mountains in the morning, Mediterranean at the finish.
