Route Napoleon ?

[flytoolow]

Well Ive been given a day of riding during our vacation.

Every August, My girlfriend and I spend a week down in Cap Martin (S France) with her family, and normally we would fly from Geneva to Nice. However last night she suggested that I ride the GSA down there (about 600 KMs direct) and that she wouldnt mind if I left the day before, did my first overnight camp, and meet her down there. She mentioned the Route Napoleon as a starter (Im kinda new in this region...) as a possible route south.

Id "like" to take in the Millau viaduct, some gorges etc etc.

Can anyone suggest possible places to visit there and back (assuming I dont take the same roads back. Two days /900KM sort of thing so I can start my planning....any good overnight stops that are recomended?

(Switzerland CH-2520 to "essentially" Monaco)

Remember this is my first trip so any advise greatly apreciated.

Fly2Low

 

[wildbeeste]

I would suggest doing one or the other
Do the Gorges and the Viaduct
OR the Route Napoleon. It is too much to do both in your limited time

Simply because your final destination is Monaco or Nice you should do the Route Napoleon.
The time to get from the Gorges to Nice in that time means that you will have to do some long fast motorway routes otherwise.

Have fun

 

[swissrob]

have a look at the route des grande alps, it starts from evian on the other side of the lake and then comes out near nice.

2 days would be pushing it and would relly suggest 3 days to enjoy the route. Camping, i wouldnt bother just due to the hassle factor as there are hundreds of small ski village hotels that are open and a room is about 40 -60euro.

there is also a tourism website for this route.

other option is napolion down and grand alp on the way back.

 

[Wapping]

Route Napoleon: Grenoble to Cannes via Grasse (where you can pick up the Gorge du Verdon but it will take you away from your eventual destination) 325km (excluding the gorges). You can ride it in a day, certainly two.

Route des Grande Alpes: Geneva to Nice via Briancon. 650 km. Again, you can do it in a day but more fun to take two, perhaps.

Given where you start from, I would take the Grande Alpes option, the gorges and the bridge will still be there next year.....

A decent or basic map holds all your answers.

 

[franco]

Agree with Wapping, I'd do the Route des Grandes Alpes from Switzerland as a lot of the cols are nicer coming from the north that they are heading from the south. Going back however the route Napoleon is best from the south, so you go use that to Gap, then head north to Annecy via green roads on Michelin maps then back into Switzerland. There are no really bad roads away from the motorways. Just point your nose and go for it.
I've done Nice to Annecy in 6 hours, taking scenic roads and plenty photos, so it's not a bad day.

Rob

 

[franco]

oops

meant to put the link to the Route des Grandes Alpes in here

 

[swissrob]

another website here..... http://www.grande-traversee-alpes.c...e-great-alps-trail/37-conseils-pratiques.html

not that the Col de l'Iseran is currently closed...

 

[Melly Senior]

As stated it's a great route northbound; make sure you stop to say hello to the great man himself

 

[Ropey]

+1 on Route Napolean... was there last month

<a href="http://s849.photobucket.com/albums/ab52/jrawl_photos/?action=view&current=IMG_1616.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i849.photobucket.com/albums/ab52/jrawl_photos/IMG_1616.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s849.photobucket.com/albums/ab52/jrawl_photos/?action=view&current=IMG_1622.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i849.photobucket.com/albums/ab52/jrawl_photos/IMG_1622.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[flytoolow]

Great Stuff ! Initial Planning..

OK,

I guess Ive made up my mind. Im going to Travel Route Des Grande Alpes heading south, and possibly an overnight stop somewhere near Chamonix, then the Sunday down to Cap Martin - taking in various diversions as I see fit.

Then on the way back, route Napoleon, with an overnight stop somewhere near Gap (always wanted to go there...).

Im actually going to camp. I feel I need to camp (TBPH Ive spent almost 5 years "living" in hotels in my profession), so I have developed kinda a natural obversion to staying in hotels.

New Tyres this evening, start planning this weekend, maps, camera etc.

I will try to find time to take some piccies and hopefully post them up here...

Cheers all

Fly2low

 

[John Armstrong]

Then on the way back, route Napoleon, with an overnight stop somewhere near Gap (always wanted to go there...).

Sisteron is a nice place for a stop.

 

[Swiss Mike]

Hi Fly2low.

We did the Route Des Alpes last year from Interlaken and it took us 3 days to get down. What route are you planning from Schweiz?

Could meet up some time for coffee ?

Gruss Mike

 

[Deleted account AWRT]

Route Napoleon is a fantastic ride, well worth the time and effort

 

[flytoolow]

Someone mentioned Coffee..

Hey, thats sounds like an idea..

Let me take a look at the maps in more detail this weekend and I / You suggest somewhere.

F2L

 

[Swiss Mike]

Hey, thats sounds like an idea..

Let me take a look at the maps in more detail this weekend and I / You suggest somewhere.

F2L

How about this Saturday 9.00 Andermatt ?????

Mike

 

[Fred Dibnah]

Route Napoleon , Stay at Castallane and from there, there is so much to do ! Ive done both the Millau and the route Napoleon this year and I wish I had more time around the Alpes , picture postcard scenery around every corner,have fun ride safely ......Mel

 

[Deleted account AWRT]

Route Napoleon , Stay at Castallane and from there, there is so much to do ! Ive done both the Millau and the route Napoleon this year and I wish I had more time around the Alpes , picture postcard scenery around every corner,have fun ride safely ......Mel

I think Fred meant "Castellane"

 

[Jeremy]

This time next week, Metisse and I will be heading for the tunnel. We'll stay in Grenoble on Saturday night, ride the Route Napoleon to Monaco on Sunday/Monday and then same route home on Tuesday.

 

[flytoolow]

This time next week, Metisse and I will be heading for the tunnel. We'll stay in Grenoble on Saturday night, ride the Route Napoleon to Monaco on Sunday/Monday and then same route home on Tuesday.

Let me know if you have any advice on places to stay near Grenoble...It could be interesting.

...any advice on the RN also would be appreciated...

HAve a good trip.

F2L

 

[Jeremy]

We're staying here in Grenoble on both legs http://chateau.de.paquier.free.fr/index.php?Page=&Lang=uk and here http://www.monte-carlo.mc/france/presentation_en.php in Monaco.