Gorge Du Verdon via Reims
Discussion
As per the title, off to Verdon Gorge in the south of France tomorrow, most likely via Reims as it's on the way.
Are there any must-do roads/locations on the way or in that area? Will hopefully get across to do the Andermatt Loop as well so any advice appreciated.
This is the car, so tunnels and photo opps are the priority (don't tell the missus!):
Are there any must-do roads/locations on the way or in that area? Will hopefully get across to do the Andermatt Loop as well so any advice appreciated.
This is the car, so tunnels and photo opps are the priority (don't tell the missus!):
Probably the most famous road is the Route Napoleon:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Route_Napoléon
Your journey south takes you close.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Route_Napoléon
Your journey south takes you close.
For example - https://goo.gl/maps/wPZKqs64xQ12 - D71 south side.
The views from D23 on the opposite side are equally spectacular - https://goo.gl/maps/LZpKck1mAt42
The latter road is narrower and in some parts there is no barrier between you and oblivion!
If heading for Andermatt after Verdon, this would be my choice. From Castellane to Beuil.
Either via the Gorges de Daluis - https://goo.gl/maps/CgpD9GWdUxQ2
Or the the Gorges du Cian - https://goo.gl/maps/NhszeE1Cm1K2
Then Briancon via the Col de la Bonette and Col de l'Izoard - https://goo.gl/maps/pUxFjJLJw4R2
After that try Mont Cenis, Col de l'Iseran, Petit St Bernard, Grand St Bernard.
Or head for a blat along the Italian Autostrada and cross the Swiss border at Chiasso.
You may wish to buy a Michelin 1:200,000 road atlas. A bit old-fashioned, I'm sure, but very useful for identifying fine roads. Michelin mark good roads with a green line.
I took my old estate car down there last December and had a wonderful time. There is a balance to be struck between making progress and enjoying yourself which dictates the ration of autoroute to Routes-Departmentales and -Nationales. On day one we had a picnic at the Reims-Gueux circuit. You can wander freely around the circuit buildings. It is very agreeable. We then drove down to Dijon, a fine place to rest your head. As mentioned, if heading south, drop off the A5 at J23 and take the D396/D996 south through Montigny-sur-Aube, Leuglay and Moloy to Dijon. I would recommend the Hotel de la Cloche. It has secure parking.
An alternative place to stop is the pilgrimage town of Vézelay. This is a really delightful place, although quite quiet. It is set amidst the most lovely, rolling, gentle, countryside: nothing spectacular apart from its modest beauty. Heading south, turn off the A5 at J21 this time, and take the D444/944 down towards Avallon (a rather splendid town itself), either taking in Avalon or cutting off on the D32. The 444/944 is a road which unravels loosely with abundant gentleness: grades, corners, woods, fields and towns, nothing extreme, everything a matter of ease and pleasure at the wheel. In Vézelay I would recommend the Hotel les Glycines and its sister restaurant opposite the Basilica, La Terasse.
From there we rather tediously went A6, A7, A8; were I doing it purely for pleasure, I would take the A39 out of Dijon down to Bourg-en-Bresse, then the A40 round Nantua almost to Geneva (the stretch around Nantua has some breath taking viaducts and tunnels), then the A41 to Grenoble where I would pick up the RN85. I would not bother with the Gap to Sisteron stretch, I have done this before an dit is as dull as it looks on the map. Instead, I would take the D900 to Barcelonette and then the D906 down to Castellane.
We stayed at Chateau de Berne on the outskirts of Lorgues. Again, I would recommend this establishment. Both the D955 and the D25 from Draguignan across the huge Canjeurs ranges to the east end of the Gorges area were wonderful, open, smooth, fast and challenging roads. The D957 at the west end, down to Salernes, likewise was a joy. In fact, the Gorges roads themselves are narrow, tight and technical with some mighty precipices. The surrounding roads are more fun, if less spectacular.
It can be very tiring driving all of these roads; the distances are huge; there are not many services out of season; you should be prepared and not over stretch yourself. That might sound insanely old-fogey-ish but I have never met anyone who likes driving as much as I do and even I felt the strain a bit. My old diseasel gives 450miles on a tank but even then I thought it prudent to carry a jerry can reserve.
If you're interested, my trip report can be found here within my 124 thread: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I took my old estate car down there last December and had a wonderful time. There is a balance to be struck between making progress and enjoying yourself which dictates the ration of autoroute to Routes-Departmentales and -Nationales. On day one we had a picnic at the Reims-Gueux circuit. You can wander freely around the circuit buildings. It is very agreeable. We then drove down to Dijon, a fine place to rest your head. As mentioned, if heading south, drop off the A5 at J23 and take the D396/D996 south through Montigny-sur-Aube, Leuglay and Moloy to Dijon. I would recommend the Hotel de la Cloche. It has secure parking.
An alternative place to stop is the pilgrimage town of Vézelay. This is a really delightful place, although quite quiet. It is set amidst the most lovely, rolling, gentle, countryside: nothing spectacular apart from its modest beauty. Heading south, turn off the A5 at J21 this time, and take the D444/944 down towards Avallon (a rather splendid town itself), either taking in Avalon or cutting off on the D32. The 444/944 is a road which unravels loosely with abundant gentleness: grades, corners, woods, fields and towns, nothing extreme, everything a matter of ease and pleasure at the wheel. In Vézelay I would recommend the Hotel les Glycines and its sister restaurant opposite the Basilica, La Terasse.
From there we rather tediously went A6, A7, A8; were I doing it purely for pleasure, I would take the A39 out of Dijon down to Bourg-en-Bresse, then the A40 round Nantua almost to Geneva (the stretch around Nantua has some breath taking viaducts and tunnels), then the A41 to Grenoble where I would pick up the RN85. I would not bother with the Gap to Sisteron stretch, I have done this before an dit is as dull as it looks on the map. Instead, I would take the D900 to Barcelonette and then the D906 down to Castellane.
We stayed at Chateau de Berne on the outskirts of Lorgues. Again, I would recommend this establishment. Both the D955 and the D25 from Draguignan across the huge Canjeurs ranges to the east end of the Gorges area were wonderful, open, smooth, fast and challenging roads. The D957 at the west end, down to Salernes, likewise was a joy. In fact, the Gorges roads themselves are narrow, tight and technical with some mighty precipices. The surrounding roads are more fun, if less spectacular.
It can be very tiring driving all of these roads; the distances are huge; there are not many services out of season; you should be prepared and not over stretch yourself. That might sound insanely old-fogey-ish but I have never met anyone who likes driving as much as I do and even I felt the strain a bit. My old diseasel gives 450miles on a tank but even then I thought it prudent to carry a jerry can reserve.
If you're interested, my trip report can be found here within my 124 thread: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Cabrony said:
D396 and D996 to Dijon a must do.
Absolute must.I did this on the way back from the Italian Lakes (after doing the Stelvio pass etc) and then Circuit de Reims. The D996 was fantastic. Fast sweepers with long sight lines plus some tighter twisty stuff in the forest.
Most enjoyable road on the whole trip.
smarty156 said:
Absolute must.
I did this on the way back from the Italian Lakes (after doing the Stelvio pass etc) and then Circuit de Reims. The D996 was fantastic. Fast sweepers with long sight lines plus some tighter twisty stuff in the forest.
Most enjoyable road on the whole trip.
Agreed. I did a ridiculous 2300 miles around France in a week. I drove the Route de Grande Alpes start to finish (16 mountain passes, including the col de turini) and spent hours playing around in the hills above Monaco but the D396 and D996 were a real surprise. It may not have the scenery of the more famous stuff but it more than makes up for it with the road itself. I did this on the way back from the Italian Lakes (after doing the Stelvio pass etc) and then Circuit de Reims. The D996 was fantastic. Fast sweepers with long sight lines plus some tighter twisty stuff in the forest.
Most enjoyable road on the whole trip.
Being 4 hours from also Calais makes it the perfect break from autoroutes on your way South. In fact it's almost ripe for a day trip....
Gassing Station | Roads | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff