Tour to the South of France

[Phil-CH]

Hello everyone!

Am about to do a tour down to the South of France (St. Tropez) from Zurich sometime in mid August and was wondering if some of you have attempted something similar and what your recommended routes would be?

The car I'll be taking is my Lotus Exige, so the roads would be preferably many alpine passes along the way and just nice scenery as I intend to do frequent stops to take pictures (I'm into photography).

I have a fair idea what I want to drive - as little motorways as possible and more or less down through the Alps down to Monaco and hopefully do some of the roads (Col de Turini) that were featured in that Top Gear episode (in search of the best driving roads).

The current idea is to take the motorway through Switzerland down to Lausanne and from there across the boarder either into France or Italy (Italy would be a longer drive but perhaps nicer roads?). Then try to pass Mont Blanc (if I'm on the Italian side and not through the tunnel) on a good alpine pass and from there more or less straight down to Monaco. This would have to work in preferably a full days trip with occasional stops for photos but if it's too much, perhaps to take a break for the night somewhere on the way.

Any ideas or things to consider?

[JMGS4]

Phil, did this a year ago and had great fun. advise you avoid F Autoroutes as they'll be full and lots of radar (it's for making money you know!)
We drove from Lausanne south and stayed overnight in Valence, then drove EAST over various passes Col des Limouches, Col de la Bataille, Col de la Chau. Col de St Alexia, Col de Rousset, down to Die, the southeast again on D93, then south to Col de Premol till we hit the D994, then West to the Col du Soubeyrand and St Sauveur Gouvernet. Then over Mont Ventoux and stayed after that at Venasque. All these roads were virtually empty except Mont Ventoux!!!
The next day we did a lot in Louberon, Roussillion and then across to the Gorge du Verdon (expect a LOT of traffic there, especially german camping cars)
After that you can drop down to Nice and do the Col du Turini, the take the Route Napolean north and do the area in the traingle between Barcelonette, Gap and Briancon. If you keep to the smaller roads you'll see no flics..Hope this helps, Enjoy..
John

PS if you need good maps etc PM me

Edited by JMGS4 on Thursday 30th July 12:54

[Phil-CH]

Hey John,

Thanks very much for your advice. I think I'll be leaving out Valence since that's a bit too far West and we'll probably just head directly to the passes from Lausanne on. I'll check out the passes you mentioned and see how they fit into the route. I'm thinking that Zurich to Lausanne should take about 2 hours drive, so if we leave by before 6 o'clock in the morning, we should be there by 8 in the morning with the most interesting parts ahead of us.

I'm hopeful that 12 hours drive should be enough to get us from Lausanne to somewhere between Monaco and St. Tropez with the occasional stops for petrol and photography and lunch somewhere along the way.

Here's a route I planned up a few weeks ago, though I think there are some bits and parts I'd already skip. I.e. I probably wouldn't do probably rather head on from point G down to Beaufort, Seez, Val-d'Isere, Bonneval-sur-Arc through the Parc National de la Vanoise instead down to Lanslebourg-Mont-Cenis. From there I could either head East over the pass for a short blast in Italy or continue to Saint-Martin-d'Arc where my route in the map continues south.



Edit: Click here to view map in original size:
http://temp.conceptics.org/suedfrankreich.gif

What do you think?

Edited by Phil-CH on Thursday 30th July 14:56

[JMGS4]

Sounds OK, but I'd avoid any of the larger ski places esp Val d'Isere as it's often jammed solid also in summer. You need to go for the smaller routes to get away from traffic. That's why my route went down the middle.. agree valence could be too far west so try and cut down to my route.
Your 2 hours Zürich-Lausanne is a bit optimistic esp with the rash of speed cameras appearing in summer to catch/cash the foreigners...

Why don't you do the ST Bernard, then down into Aosta then up the valley and over the Petit St Bernhard back into F? then south...

[Phil-CH]

That's some great advice, thanks John.

I am now actually considering taking the Grand Saint Bernhard pass over to Italy and from there to Aosta and then over into French territory.

The ride to Lausanne (well, to be exact, Saint-Legier-La-Chiesaz) took me around 2 hours when going to Autosalon in Geneva from my place, but I'll account for holiday traffic by going a bit earlier. I reckon if I can make it there by 8 o'clock in the morning, I should have enough time to get to the South of France (somwhere around Monaco) by 8 p.m.

Do you know if it's difficult to finding petrol stations on my way down there (if you take the above route, i.e.)? Also how hard will it be to find RON98 fuel downthere?

Also, given you've been there already - any suggestions of any sight seeing or places worth checking out on the way south? I'm thinking of huge waterfalls, canyons, hot french girls that would be worth stopping and taking pictures of? (I'll promise to post them here!)

Edited by Phil-CH on Tuesday 4th August 15:46