The weather was unexpectedly good this morning, so we decided to make part of the Rick Steves Inland Riviera drive. We drove first to Tourrettes-sur-Loup, just 10km northwest of Vence. Lots of bike riders at the bottom of the road in Vence, preparing to make the same climb. We also found a lot of riders had already reached Tourrettes and had filled the 2 cafes on the town square, having expresso and pastry before they continued on their way. We picked up lunch and an "allumette" at the boulangerie there.

Tourrettes was a beautiful hilltop village, so quiet and untouristed unlike St Paul. There were some artists studios, many closed as it's off season. There were boule courts in front of the TI, just across the town square from the church. The relics of St Felicite, skull and bones, a Christian martyred in 2nd century Rome with her whole family, were displayed in the church.

For the next 19 km, we drove on twisting roads with numerous hairpin turns as we wound through the Gorge du Loup to the town of Gourdon. 3 tunnels on the way, built 1904-06 with the names of the workers listed at the entrances.

Gourdon is a bit more touristy than Tourrettes, but a far cry from St Paul, at least at this time of year. The views are incredible; you can see the entire Cote d'Azur, the island of Corsica as well as the mountains and gorge we had just traversed.

Weather was still sunny when we returned to Vence, so we got in some sun time at the pool and I had a quick swim in cold water; nights here have been in the low 50's lately and the pool's unheated. Clouds and wind moved in by late afternoon, chasing us back indoors.

Had dinner tonight at a very nice little place called Restaurant La Litote, hidden away in the medieval part of Vence, just behind the Hotel de Ville.

Walked - 3.2 miles

Drove - 51 km