A Route Napoléon Video
Discussion
I recently visited the Route Napoléon after being inspired by other's stories of it. I've read all the Dream Drive articles and am now seeking more interesting driving destinations to experience including the ones available in the UK. Before I decided to go I couldn't find any decent quality videos portraying the Route so I decided to put one together for anyone wanting to research it in the future. Here's what I have.
Route Napoléon
No amount of words or media can capture the full experience of Route Napoléon but maybe this video can provide a general idea. This route was a destination for me as well as a path for my journey to the next destination, Côte d'Azur, which was equally exciting. It reminds me to enjoy the journey as much as the destination whether figuratively or physically. If the journey isn’t pleasant, pick another path to the objective.
Route Napoleon is the route taken by Napoléon in 1815 on his return from Elba. It is now a 325-kilometre section of the Route Nationale 85.
This road melds nature and pure driving into one. You can get the sensation of transcending into another world with the right speed, flow, and inertia combined with Earth's naturally beautiful, epic landscapes. The scenery got better and better the further south I went.
Relax and watch this in HD. Enjoy the scenery. Car guys/girls, enjoy the high altitude driving with understeer/oversteer, balance, a rally car driver that was going for it, left-foot braking, heel-and-toe rev matching, speed, and flow.
Route Napoléon
No amount of words or media can capture the full experience of Route Napoléon but maybe this video can provide a general idea. This route was a destination for me as well as a path for my journey to the next destination, Côte d'Azur, which was equally exciting. It reminds me to enjoy the journey as much as the destination whether figuratively or physically. If the journey isn’t pleasant, pick another path to the objective.
Route Napoleon is the route taken by Napoléon in 1815 on his return from Elba. It is now a 325-kilometre section of the Route Nationale 85.
This road melds nature and pure driving into one. You can get the sensation of transcending into another world with the right speed, flow, and inertia combined with Earth's naturally beautiful, epic landscapes. The scenery got better and better the further south I went.
Relax and watch this in HD. Enjoy the scenery. Car guys/girls, enjoy the high altitude driving with understeer/oversteer, balance, a rally car driver that was going for it, left-foot braking, heel-and-toe rev matching, speed, and flow.
Lovely, and in a DC2 as well 
I have friends in S of France so we tend to hit the RN85 quite regularly, my fave stretch so far is Castelane>Grasse, or the reverse of that, as featured in an old vid I did
http://youtu.be/X42D41hQ0HU
Great road though, as long as you get there early/late to avoid tourists
I have friends in S of France so we tend to hit the RN85 quite regularly, my fave stretch so far is Castelane>Grasse, or the reverse of that, as featured in an old vid I did
http://youtu.be/X42D41hQ0HU
Great road though, as long as you get there early/late to avoid tourists
Thanks for posting the video Matt. I've travelled the RN 3 times to date and will be going again in 4 weeks time. Just a word of warning to others planning to go there, be aware that parts of it need snow chains by law in the winter. Last year they were required from late November - worth checking before you go.
I drove this route a few years ago and this video bought it all back,Thanks I've got to do it agian.We stayed in a small hotel by a round about just before a long straight,cheap at 30 euos a night,we sat drinking beer in the early evening listing to the the noise of cars and bikes coming down what must be a 3 mile straight into a small round about or on full power comeing out of the round about,trying to guess what it was just by the sound.Great road,great video.
EvoBarry said:
Recognised that bit. St Vallier de Thiey -> Le Pub.
Turn left at the roundabout by Le Relais de l'Artuby to head for Comps sur Artuby.
Then on to the spectacular Gorges du Verdon. Well worth the detour.
aww999 said:
That looks amazing! Isn't it crawling with Le Rozzers though? I would have thought they'd be all over a petrolhead-magnet like that!
Driven it in all seasons and the only time I have seen the Police was when the Monte Carlo was on, when they were pulling over speeding rally drivers.EvoBarry said:
Lovely, and in a DC2 as well
I have friends in S of France so we tend to hit the RN85 quite regularly, my fave stretch so far is Castelane>Grasse, or the reverse of that, as featured in an old vid I did
http://youtu.be/X42D41hQ0HU
Great road though, as long as you get there early/late to avoid tourists
Indeed one of the great roads of France.I have friends in S of France so we tend to hit the RN85 quite regularly, my fave stretch so far is Castelane>Grasse, or the reverse of that, as featured in an old vid I did
http://youtu.be/X42D41hQ0HU
Great road though, as long as you get there early/late to avoid tourists
Another must is the stretch up and over the Col De Vars, which we always do at least twice on any trip as it is so good. Drive North from Castellane to Barcelonette, and then further in the general direction of Briançon via the D902.
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