Niçoise: Cycling Italy & France

In our previous post on the Olive Route Cycling Tour, we looked at what made the Kalamata section of the Olive Route, from Athens to Milan, special. This time, let’s move on to the Niçoise section.

The olive itself, is native to southeastern France. They are small and dark and have a slightly bitter, earthly flavour. You’ve probably enjoyed them in their namesake Niçoise salad.

So what is it about the Niçoise section, an 1180 km route from Milan to Bordeaux, that makes it so unique?

The Alps

As soon the cyclists leave the Italian city of Turin, they begin to climb up into the Alps on the way to the French Olympic city of Grenoble. Surrounded by daunting, snowcapped peaks, the riders will cycle through the Col du Lautaret mountain pass at 2,058 metres above sea level, marvelling at the incredible scenery. The first few days in France are some of the most spectacular of the entire route. In 2025, one rider exclaimed, “It felt like you were riding through a Game of Thrones set.”

>>Related Post: Kalamata: Cycling Greece & Italy

Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, Lyon

On the 2025 Olive Route, Founder Henry Gold wrote that “Today in Lyon, I came upon a huge mural. I had no idea who was on the mural, so I took a picture and decided to look him up. And I learned that it was Paul Bocuse, who Wikipedia calls, ‘the pope of gastronomy.’ The biennial world chef championship, the Bocuse d’Or is named after him. If you love good food, and there is plenty of that in Lyon, you will appreciate that Paul Bocuse held a 3-star Michelin Guide rating for 55 years!”

“One of the most popular things to do when you are in the city is to visit Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse. Marketed by Lyon’s tourist board as ‘the culinary treasure in the heart of Lyon, a name that resonates like a gourmet melody in the ears of food lovers around the world. Nestled in the heart of Lyon, this iconic indoor market is much more than just a place to sell food products; it is a true temple dedicated to gastronomy.’ And so, I entered and had my lunch.”

Clermont-Ferrand

Situated in the beautiful Massif Central region of France, Clermont-Ferrand is one of the country’s oldest cities, has a vibrant student population and is surrounded by extinct volcanoes. Riders should be sure to visit the the 13th-century Cathedrale Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption, built from black volcanic lava. It is also home to the fascinating L’Aventure Michelin, where they will learn that, amongst its many other accomplishments, the company was responsible for the invention of the detachable bicycle tire in 1891.

>>Related Post: Cycling Across Italy & France On The Olive Route

Wine

As the section comes to a close, the cyclists will have the opportunity to sample some very fine wines, like a classic Bordeaux blend which combines Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Cycling through the endless vineyards approaching Bordeaux, riders will note that merlot is the most widely planted varietal (despite the movie Sideways!) and are more than likely to make a stop at at a chateau or two for a guided tour and a relaxed tasting.

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