Paris - Montpellier - Nice - Turin - Verbier - Dijon - Reims

[mwstewart]

All,
I'm planning a short trip at the end of August, and so far I've come up with this route. I want a mix of vineyards, coastal areas, and some mountains. I've added Italy and Switzerland in too for some variety.

Suggestions for diversions, additions, or omissions to the route would be greatly appreciated. I have seven days for the trip and plan to camp for some of it, and hotels for the rest.

Thanks.

[mwstewart]

Anyone?

[AdiT]

Looks like you've got a nice mix of motorways planned.

I'd avoid Paris. Head for Grenoble via motorways then into the Alps. Plenty of nice roads there, then Col du Vars, and Bonnette and down toward Monaco. After that Sospel and the Col du Turini then up into Italy.

[mwstewart]

AdiT said:

Looks like you've got a nice mix of motorways planned.

I'd avoid Paris. Head for Grenoble via motorways then into the Alps. Plenty of nice roads there, then Col du Vars, and Bonnette and down toward Monaco. After that Sospel and the Col du Turini then up into Italy.

Thank you, appreciated. I'll take a look at that route now.

[Sortie 10]

Your route leaving Switzerland via Vallorbe throws up some fantastic driving to Poligny - an relatively undiscovered area of France (our family has a second home beside the beautiful Lac St Point). The route you have chosen has some sweet fast twisty roads through fantastic sub-alpine mountains. An alternative that will save you a few shekels at the peages is to go via Pontarlier, Besancon & Gray to join the autoroute near Langres. Quick-ish roads (see below, though).
FWIW for the last 23 years I have taken D & N roads to Reims - you can maintain reasonable progress (at least averaging 50mph - as a guide Pontarlier to beyond Besancon is 1 hour, Besancon/Reims is about 3 hours); you get to see some of La France Profonde on single & dual carriageways - the latter help increase the average pace. Was caught for €90 near Gray in March - beautiful undulating deserted road led to heavy right foot.

I may well be in Malbuisson in a couple of weeks - love it there!

[mwstewart]

Sortie 10 said:

Your route leaving Switzerland via Vallorbe throws up some fantastic driving to Poligny - an relatively undiscovered area of France (our family has a second home beside the beautiful Lac St Point). The route you have chosen has some sweet fast twisty roads through fantastic sub-alpine mountains. An alternative that will save you a few shekels at the peages is to go via Pontarlier, Besancon & Gray to join the autoroute near Langres. Quick-ish roads (see below, though).
FWIW for the last 23 years I have taken D & N roads to Reims - you can maintain reasonable progress (at least averaging 50mph - as a guide Pontarlier to beyond Besancon is 1 hour, Besancon/Reims is about 3 hours); you get to see some of La France Profonde on single & dual carriageways - the latter help increase the average pace. Was caught for €90 near Gray in March - beautiful undulating deserted road led to heavy right foot.

I may well be in Malbuisson in a couple of weeks - love it there!

Excellent advice, thank you! Really appreciated.

[huwp]

Love driving around Champagne.

For hotels I'd recommend Hotel de La Paix in Reims; central with an underground car park.

Alternatively Chateau Etoges near Epernay.

Sounds like a great trip - enjoy.