🇫🇷 Iconic Col de Turini: Early Springtime Scenery & Drive

Are you Subscribed?    / @splendidscenery   Watch this next:    • 🚗 My Best Driving Video's   The Col de Turini is a renowned high mountain pass in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France, situated entirely within the Arrondissement of Nice. Reaching an elevation of 1,607 meters (5,272 feet), it serves as a significant road link between the Vésubie and Bévéra river valleys, connecting the communes of La Bollène-Vésubie (via Lantosque) and Moulinet (via Sospel). This Alpine pass is particularly famous for its numerous hairpin bends and stunning, rugged landscapes, which have cemented its place in both motorsport and cycling history. The Col de Turini is an annual fixture in the Monte Carlo Rally, held each January. The rally often features a demanding 31-kilometer stage across the pass, run either from La Bollène-Vésubie to the summit and then descending to Sospel, or in the reverse direction. Its narrow, winding road and multitude of hairpin turns make it a critical technical challenge for rally drivers. Historically, the night-time ascent of the Col de Turini was a legendary spectacle, attracting thousands of fans to witness the "night of the long knives," a moniker derived from the powerful high-beam lights of the cars cutting through the darkness. The pass also gained wider recognition when it was featured in the first episode of Top Gear series 10 as part of a search for the world's greatest driving road. Beyond its motorsport fame, the Col de Turini is also a challenging climb for cyclists and has been included in major cycling races. The western ascent from Lantosque in the Vésubie valley spans 15.3 kilometers with an average gradient of 7.2%, while the southeastern climb from Sospel is longer at 24 kilometers with an average gradient of 5.2%. Both routes feature maximum gradients of 9%. The Col de Turini has been included in the Tour de France multiple times, serving as a mid-race challenge in editions such as 1948, 1950, 1973, 2020, and is slated for 2024. It has also featured in the Paris–Nice stage race, hosting stage finishes in 2019 and 2022. The pass is also known for its dense forests of chestnut, larch, and pine trees, and offers routes that lead to the higher Authion Massif, which holds historical significance due to its strategic viewpoint near the Italian border.