Cime de la Bonette

Cime de la Bonette is a peak in the French Alps rising close to the Italian border, in the municipality of Saint-Dalmas-le-Selvage. It sits within Mercantour National Park, right on the boundary between the Alpes-Maritimes and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence departments, between the Ubaye Valley and the valley of the Tinée River. It is one of the highest points in Europe you can reach by car, and that distinction alone draws travelers from across the continent.

What will you see there?

A loop road circles the summit at an elevation close to 2,800 meters, making it one of the highest stretches of paved road on the continent. Built largely as a scenic bypass and a challenge for cyclists, the route delivers views that are hard to match anywhere else: sweeping panoramas over the Mercantour massif, the peaks of the Italian Maritime Alps, and the Ubaye Valley spread out far below. The landscape here is stark — rocky, almost lunar slopes, sparse alpine vegetation, and light that shifts dramatically throughout the day. Because the peak lies inside Mercantour National Park, the surrounding terrain shelters high-altitude wildlife, including chamois and marmots, which visitors regularly spot on short walks from the roadside parking area.

For those wanting more than a drive-by view, a short but steep footpath leads from the loop road up to the true summit. The climb typically takes 20 to 40 minutes one way, depending on fitness and weather, and rewards hikers with a 360-degree outlook over the surrounding ranges — on a clear day the view stretches well into Italy and toward French Provence.

How do you get there?

The road up to Cime de la Bonette connects the towns of Jausiers on the Ubaye Valley side and Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée on the Tinée Valley side. Both approaches are scenic in their own right, full of switchbacks and viewpoints. The road is only open seasonally — snow lingers here well into late spring, and closures due to winter conditions are standard from autumn through May or June, depending on the year. The closest base for a visit is Saint-Dalmas-le-Selvage, a small mountain village less than an hour's drive from the summit.

When should you visit?

Summer, from June through September, is the best window: the road is fully open and temperatures at altitude make walking and sightseeing comfortable. Early spring visits carry more risk, since patches of snow and partial road closures are common. Cyclists in particular favor early morning hours, when traffic is minimal and the light is best for photography.

Frequently asked questions

Can you drive all the way to the summit? The road loops around the peak, but reaching the actual summit point requires a short walk up a footpath from the parking area.

Is the climb difficult for cyclists? The ascent is considered one of the classic high-altitude challenges in the Alps — long and exposed with little shade, though not technically demanding.

Are there places to eat or stay nearby? Facilities directly on the road are minimal, but Saint-Dalmas-le-Selvage and Jausiers both offer guesthouses and places to eat.

Is there an entrance fee? No, the road is public and free to use, open on a seasonal basis depending on snow conditions.