Attractions and Places To See around La Tour - Top 20
Best attractions and places to see around La Tour are found in a mountainous region, likely in the Alpes-Maritimes, France. This area is characterized by its deep valleys, dramatic gorges, and significant mountain passes. It serves as a connection point between the Tinée and Vésubie valleys, offering diverse landscapes for exploration. The region also features sites of religious heritage and panoramic viewpoints.
Best attractions and places to see around La Tour
- The most popular attractions is The Vésubie gorges, deeply cut gorges in the Maritime Alps. This area offers varied routes with exposed sections of road and tunnels.
- Another must-see spot is The start of Col Saint-Martin, a mountain pass. This pass, at an altitude of 1,503 meters, provides a link between the Tinée and Vésubie valleys, featuring a challenging climb with views.
- Visitors also love Madonna of Utelle, a pilgrimage site and vantage point. It offers a 360° panorama of the Mercantour National Park and the Mediterranean Sea.
- La Tour is known for its mountain passes, scenic gorges, and significant viewpoints. The region offers a variety of attractions to see and explore, from challenging climbs to historical pilgrimage sites.
- The attractions around La Tour are appreciated by the komoot community, with 84 upvotes and 40 photos shared across the highlights.
Last updated: May 26, 2026
The start of Col Saint-Martin
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Col de la Colmiane
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The Vésubie gorges
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Saint-Martin Pass (La Colmiane)
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Madonna of Utelle
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Madone d'Utelle is part of our Montagnes à la Carte series, head over to bit.ly/3ziK156 and claim your badge if you rode this classic.
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Tips from the Community
The Col Saint-Martin Pass, or Col de la Colmiane, is a mountain pass in the Southern Alps located at an altitude of 1,500 meters in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France. It provides a year-round road link between the Tinée Valley to the west and the Vésubie Valley to the east.
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The Col Saint-Martin Pass, or Col de la Colmiane, is a mountain pass in the Southern Alps located at an altitude of 1,500 meters in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France. It provides a year-round road link between the Tinée Valley to the west and the Vésubie Valley to the east.
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Col Saint Martin (el. 1500 m.) is a high mountain pass in the Alps in the department of Alpes-Maritimes in France.[1] It is traversed by the D-2205 highway.[2] The place has been crossed at the Tour de France road cycling race in 1973, 1975 and 2020, as well as at multiple editions of the Paris-Nice.
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In July during the week there was almost no traffic, making it a completely relaxed drive up.
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Beautiful route with great views and no traffic. Highly recommended.
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The Col Saint Martin is an alpine pass which connects the Vésubie valley to the Tinée valley. It peaks at 1,500 meters above sea level. Enjoy the spectacular panorama, with views of the mountains of the Mercantour national park and the Tinée and Vésubie valleys.
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The Col de la Colmiane, also known as Col Saint-Martin, peaks at 1,500 meters above sea level. This climb was featured in the 2018 Paris-Nice race on stage 7.
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Col Saint Martin is an Alpine pass that connects the Vésubie valley with the Tinée valley. It is 1,500 meters high and the climb on both sides is quite challenging, with a length of approximately 16 kilometers and gradients between 5 and 9%. Enjoy the spectacular panorama, with views of the mountains of the Mercantour National Park and the Tinée and Vésubie valleys.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What natural features can I explore around La Tour?
The region around La Tour is characterized by dramatic natural landscapes. You can explore the deeply cut The Vésubie gorges, known for their exposed sections of road and tunnels, offering breathtaking views. Additionally, the area features significant mountain passes like The start of Col Saint-Martin and Saint-Martin Pass (La Colmiane), which provide challenging climbs and spectacular panoramas of the Mercantour National Park and the Tinée and Vésubie valleys.
Are there any historical or religious sites to visit near La Tour?
Yes, a notable religious site is the Madonna of Utelle. This long-standing pilgrimage site offers a stunning 360° panorama of the Mercantour National Park and the Mediterranean Sea. It's a place of worship used all year round, even at its altitude of 1,194 meters.
What kind of outdoor activities are popular around La Tour?
La Tour is an excellent base for various outdoor activities. The mountainous terrain is ideal for cycling, with challenging climbs like those leading to The start of Col Saint-Martin and Saint-Martin Pass (La Colmiane). The The Vésubie gorges also offer varied routes for road cyclists. For more detailed route information, you can explore hiking, gravel biking, and running trails guides for the area.
Are there challenging cycling routes in the La Tour area?
Absolutely. The region is known for its challenging climbs. The ascent to The start of Col Saint-Martin from the Tinée valley, for instance, starts at 480 meters and climbs to 1500 meters, with sections up to 10% gradient. Similarly, Saint-Martin Pass (La Colmiane) involves a challenging 16-kilometer climb with gradients between 5% and 9% on both sides. The The Vésubie gorges also feature exposed sections and tunnels, providing a thrilling experience for road cyclists.
What do visitors particularly enjoy about the attractions near La Tour?
Visitors frequently praise the spectacular views and the unique cycling experiences. The bold road carvings into the rock face, especially on the way to The start of Col Saint-Martin, offer deep views reminiscent of flying. The The Vésubie gorges are loved for their dreamlike landscape, quiet roads, and fantastic scenery so close to Nice. The 360° panorama from Madonna of Utelle, extending from the Mediterranean Sea to the Alps, is also a highly appreciated highlight.
Can I find quiet, scenic roads for cycling or driving around La Tour?
Yes, the area offers several quiet and scenic routes. The roads through The Vésubie gorges are noted for being beautiful and quiet, with hardly any cars. The nameless pass near Col à Utelle, connecting the Tinée and Vésubie valleys, is also described as practically traffic-free, offering exceptional scenic beauty and a sense of solitude.
Are there any viewpoints offering panoramic vistas?
Absolutely. The Madonna of Utelle is a fantastic vantage point, providing a 360° panorama that stretches from the mouth of the Var near Nice into the Mediterranean Sea all the way to the Alps. Additionally, both The start of Col Saint-Martin and Saint-Martin Pass (La Colmiane) offer spectacular views of the Mercantour National Park and the surrounding valleys.
What kind of hiking trails are available near La Tour?
The region offers a variety of hiking trails, ranging in difficulty. You can find moderate routes like 'La Madone d'Utelle' (approx. 9.8 km) or 'Tour of Utelle to La Madone via the Cime du Diamant' (approx. 9.5 km). For more challenging hikes, consider 'Utelle – Brec d'Utelle loop from Utelle' (approx. 12 km) or 'Brec d'Utelle loop from La Tour' (approx. 18.3 km). For a comprehensive list of trails, refer to the Hiking around La Tour guide.
Can I find gravel biking routes in the area?
Yes, there are several gravel biking routes around La Tour. Examples include the 'Crete du ferion – Saut des Français Viewpoint loop from Utelle' (approx. 39.8 km, difficult) and the 'Col de la Colmiane – Saint-Martin Pass (La Colmiane) loop from Saint-Martin-Vésubie' (approx. 25.4 km, difficult). More options can be found in the Gravel biking around La Tour guide.
Are there running trails suitable for different fitness levels?
The running trails around La Tour tend to be more challenging. For instance, the 'Chapelle Saint-Antoine – The Madonna of Utelle loop from Utelle' is approximately 36.4 km and difficult. Shorter, but still challenging, options include 'Cambouti – Rastuna des Pins loop from La Vésubie' (approx. 13.3 km). You can explore more routes in the Running Trails around La Tour guide.
What makes the Col à Utelle unique for cyclists?
Col à Utelle is a unique, unnamed pass that connects the Tinée and Vésubie valleys. It's known for its exceptional scenic beauty and minimal traffic, making it ideal for those seeking solitude. The climb from the Vésubie valley features lovely, winding roads through olive groves, while the Tinée Valley side offers breathtaking, wild beauty with artfully built serpentines and challenging ramps. From the pass, you can also take a spur road to the Madonna of Utelle viewpoint.
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