Campsite on the Route des Grandes Alpes
An ideal stage between the Saint-Martin pass and the Turini pass
Located between the Saint-Martin and Turini passes, Camping Les Templiers is an ideal stopover on the Route des Grandes Alpes for cyclists, motorcyclists, campervan travelers, and motorhome enthusiasts seeking peace and nature. At the gateway to the Mercantour National Park, in the Vésubie Valley, we welcome you to a relaxing setting by the river, far from the hustle and bustle of major tourist routes.
After a day exploring the legendary roads of the Alps, enjoy a human-scale campsite designed for touring travelers, with 50 bare pitches and 25 mobile homes, services tailored to cyclists, and a peaceful atmosphere in the heart of the mountains. Whether you’re traveling the Route des Grandes Alpes by bike, motorcycle, van, or motorhome, our prime location offers a rejuvenating break between the high Alpine passes and the wild landscapes of the Mercantour National Park.
Explore the most beautiful roads of the Alpes-Maritimes
From the campsite, set off to discover some of the most beautiful scenic routes in the Alpes-Maritimes. In addition to the Route des Grandes Alpes and the legendary Col de Turini, the region offers numerous spectacular itineraries popular with cyclists, motorcyclists, and road trip enthusiasts.
Between the red landscapes of the Gorges de Daluis, the high-altitude panoramas of the Col de la Bonette, and the wild road through the Massif de l’Authion, each outing becomes an immersion in the heart of the magnificent Alpine scenery.
Authion Massif loop
From the campsite, head to the legendary Col de Turini via a mountain road renowned for its numerous hairpin bends through the heart of the forest. A feature of the Monte Carlo Rally and located on the Route des Grandes Alpes, the Col de Turini is an iconic climb equally popular with cyclists and motorcyclists.
Once at the pass, we highly recommend continuing on to the Authion Massif loop, which offers some of the most breathtaking scenery in the Alpes-Maritimes. This scenic route passes numerous military fortifications perched on the ridges before reaching the Pointe des Trois Communes, in the heart of the Mercantour National Park.
From this spectacular summit, the view opens onto the verdant valleys of the Authion, the peaks of the Mercantour, and, on a clear day, the entire Mediterranean Sea. It’s even sometimes possible to glimpse Corsica on the horizon. This panorama often provides the first real view of the sea for travelers travelling along the Route des Grandes Alpes.
- Annual opening: beginning of May / end October
- Duration from/to campsite : 2h15
Daluis and Cian canyons loops
Among the most beautiful scenic drives in the Alpes-Maritimes, we highly recommend the loop through the Daluis Canyon and the Cians Canyon, often nicknamed the “Little Colorado of Nice.” This spectacular route crosses remarkably contrasting landscapes, from red rock cliffs sculpted by time to turquoise rivers at the bottom of the gorges.
Starting from the campsite, this loop also allows you to discover the magnificent fortified village of Entrevaux, perched on the banks of the Var River and listed among the most beautiful villages of character in the region.
To fully appreciate the panoramas and the numerous viewpoints, we recommend driving this loop from south to north, from Entrevaux towards Guillaumes. This way, you’ll be on the correct side of the road for easy access to the parking areas and viewpoints located along the gorges. Driving in the opposite direction, several tunnels make some stops more difficult or even impossible to reach.
- Open all year round
- Duration of the loop from the campsite : 4h
The Bonette scenic road
If you had to choose just one scenic drive in the Alpes-Maritimes, it would undoubtedly be the Cime de la Bonette. A must-see on the Route des Grandes Alpes, this legendary road is renowned for being the highest paved road in France, reaching an altitude of over 2,800 meters.
Here, the landscapes change completely: the vegetation gives way to a high-mountain, mineral world where you sometimes feel like you’re driving through the clouds. The ascent offers a succession of spectacular panoramas of the Alpine peaks and is a highlight for cyclists, motorcyclists, and lovers of wide-open spaces.
From the Bonette road, an accessible trail leads on foot to the summit of the Cime de la Bonette, where you can enjoy an exceptional panoramic view of the Southern Alps. On a clear day, the landscapes seem to stretch as far as the eye can see in every direction.
- Annual opening : mid May / end September
- Duration from/to the campsite : 4h30
Services tailored to itinerant travelers
Whether you’re exploring the Route des Grandes Alpes by bike, motorcycle, van, or motorhome, our campsite offers a range of services designed for touring travelers. Certified as a “Accueil Vélo” (Cyclist Welcome) establishment, the campsite offers a special cyclist package at a low price to encourage sustainable transportation.
You’ll find a covered area with tables and a microwave, charging points for electric bikes, a toolbox for minor repairs, and a peaceful, relaxing setting after a day on the Alpine roads. Motorhomes and campervans are also welcome on dedicated pitches with access to electricity and a waste disposal area.
Thanks to its prime location between the high mountain passes of the Mercantour National Park and the most beautiful scenic routes of the Alpes-Maritimes, our campsite is the perfect place to stop for a break in the heart of the mountains.
