Roquebillière sits in the valley of the Vésubie, one of the deep valleys that cut into the Alpes-Maritimes north of Nice. The river rushes down from the high peaks near the Italian border, and the valley is steep, wooded and dramatic, with villages perched on the slopes and mountains rising on every side.
The village has a turbulent history. In 1926, after torrential rain, a landslide destroyed part of the old village, killing many people, and a new village was built on safer ground. In October 2020, Storm Alex brought devastating floods to the Vésubie valley, destroying roads, bridges and houses, and the scars are still visible. The valley has been rebuilding ever since, and the resilience of its people is remarkable. On the valley floor, the old church of Saint-Michel-du-Gast, built in the fifteenth century, survived both disasters.
For riders, the Vésubie valley is a gateway to some of the finest roads in the southern Alps. The road up the valley to Saint-Martin-Vésubie is winding and scenic, and from La Bollène-Vésubie, just above Roquebillière, the road climbs to the Col de Turini, famous from the Monte Carlo Rally. Surfaces vary, and some sections are still being repaired after the floods. Traffic is light, but watch for cyclists and rally fans.
Fuel options are limited in the valley, so fill up in Nice or the lower valley before heading up. Food is available in Roquebillière and Saint-Martin-Vésubie.