Grenoble to Sisteron N75 or N85
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I thought Sisteron to Gap on the N85 was rubbish, too straight and tedious, but if you're in a rush.... I've only done Gap to Corps on the north half and that was loads better, turned off there and had a cracking run to Bourg D'Oisans. Can't comment on the N75 though.
You have to take the N85 from Grenoble.
It's the Route Napoleon,after all and is one of the best roads in Europe,with views like this :
<img src="http://img.skitch.com/20090505-m3exffbtuikg9w3cjywtwfisce.jpg" alt="DSC01590-2-1"/>
But the only boring-ish bit is between Gap and Sisteron.
If you have time take the D900 via Digne instead,shown here in magenta :
<img src="http://img.skitch.com/20090505-1ni853cu75ka1ygkp616ut8qe6.jpg" alt="Picture 2"/>
We took it last year and it was amazing,winding through a narrow gorge and then along a large lake,shown on the map above.
Stunning views :
<img src="http://img.skitch.com/20090505-g1b3ckic8i94s2wx6ptjdxs9ki.jpg" alt="DSC01379"/>
It's the Route Napoleon,after all and is one of the best roads in Europe,with views like this :
<img src="http://img.skitch.com/20090505-m3exffbtuikg9w3cjywtwfisce.jpg" alt="DSC01590-2-1"/>
But the only boring-ish bit is between Gap and Sisteron.
If you have time take the D900 via Digne instead,shown here in magenta :
<img src="http://img.skitch.com/20090505-1ni853cu75ka1ygkp616ut8qe6.jpg" alt="Picture 2"/>
We took it last year and it was amazing,winding through a narrow gorge and then along a large lake,shown on the map above.
Stunning views :
<img src="http://img.skitch.com/20090505-g1b3ckic8i94s2wx6ptjdxs9ki.jpg" alt="DSC01379"/>
Den,
N85 without a doubt.
But, when you get to Gap you may as well run down the motorway for the last leg to Sisteron. Why? Both the superslab and the N85 run parallel along the valley floor, following the Durance river, so there is nothing to chose between them.
If you wanted to try something else (and have some time) go:
Grenoble
N85 to Vizille
Then pick up the D road - D529 (check the number I am looking at an old map) - to la Mure
OR
N75 to Monestier. Then - here's where it could be good and different -sideways on D34 via Mens, maybe to la Mure (goes backwards a bit) or Corps or maybe better still right down to St Disdier, then right on to Furmeyer. Hang a left on the D994, straight run into Gap and from there as above.
OK it misses out chunks of the Route Napoleon, but that will always be there for another day. The D roads are different, all green lined on the decent Michelin map. I've done them across that bit.
N85 without a doubt.
But, when you get to Gap you may as well run down the motorway for the last leg to Sisteron. Why? Both the superslab and the N85 run parallel along the valley floor, following the Durance river, so there is nothing to chose between them.
If you wanted to try something else (and have some time) go:
Grenoble
N85 to Vizille
Then pick up the D road - D529 (check the number I am looking at an old map) - to la Mure
OR
N75 to Monestier. Then - here's where it could be good and different -sideways on D34 via Mens, maybe to la Mure (goes backwards a bit) or Corps or maybe better still right down to St Disdier, then right on to Furmeyer. Hang a left on the D994, straight run into Gap and from there as above.
OK it misses out chunks of the Route Napoleon, but that will always be there for another day. The D roads are different, all green lined on the decent Michelin map. I've done them across that bit.
As often happens I agree with Wapping! This place http://www.auberge-teillon.com N43 49.844 E6 33.360 is a few klicks past Castellane, I stayed there last year and the food is as good as it gets, not cheap but good enough for me to plan on returning this summer to take SWMBO. The rooms were reasonably priced but they only have 8 of them, they have a garage for the bike.
I'm a big fan of the (declassified) N75. So long as you avoid peak times, esp. Saturdays when most of Germany Switzerland use it as a short cut from Geneva to the coast, it's a great run along the dramatic eastern edge of the Vercors. On the other side the view if of the Trièves with the Alps as a backdrop. You get some superb seeping bends and a great surface.
It's worth noting that this is the road Napoleon probably would have used had it actually existed in 1815.
It's worth noting that this is the road Napoleon probably would have used had it actually existed in 1815.
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