Monaco to Interlaken - suggestions
Discussion
Looking at doing another road trip this summer and after some suggestions for some of the routes.
Our first one was in 2022, which was Calais -> Luxembourgh --> Baden Baden (and the B500) --> Brienz (and the famous passes, Furka, Grimsel etc) --> Lake Como --> Lake Garda --> Bormio (Stelvio pass) --> Stuttgart --> Reims.
Write up (with lots of photo's) here : https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Then 2 years ago we gone for Spain and the Pyrenees :
Which started with the ferry to St. Malo --> La Rochelle --> Toulouse --> La Baraces --> Andorra --> Jaca --> San Sebastian --> Bilboa (Ferry to Portmouth).
Review with photo's here : https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
This year we want to start in Spain, so taking the ferry to Bilboa, and then from there through a different part of the Pyrenees, and then towards Nice/Cannes, Monaco, and then back up to Brienz (where we spend 1 night on our first trip a few years back, but want a couple more nights now) and then through France to Le Havre for the ferry back to the UK. Something along these lines :
Having done the Spanish part of the Pyrenees, I'm after some good roads for the French part, I've looked at Pas d'Arlas, Col de Soulor, and Col d'Aubisque, but not sure if there's any more/others people would recommend.
Then I'm also looking for some suggestions for after leaving Monaco and heading back up to Switzerland towards Briens/Interlaken.
As well as the final stretch from Interlaken back towards the French ferries (St Malo or Le Havre), it's a fair track so probably looking at a hotel somewhere in the middle, I looked at Djion but not sure if there's any better suggestions for places/routes in that direction.
Our first one was in 2022, which was Calais -> Luxembourgh --> Baden Baden (and the B500) --> Brienz (and the famous passes, Furka, Grimsel etc) --> Lake Como --> Lake Garda --> Bormio (Stelvio pass) --> Stuttgart --> Reims.
Write up (with lots of photo's) here : https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Then 2 years ago we gone for Spain and the Pyrenees :
Which started with the ferry to St. Malo --> La Rochelle --> Toulouse --> La Baraces --> Andorra --> Jaca --> San Sebastian --> Bilboa (Ferry to Portmouth).
Review with photo's here : https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
This year we want to start in Spain, so taking the ferry to Bilboa, and then from there through a different part of the Pyrenees, and then towards Nice/Cannes, Monaco, and then back up to Brienz (where we spend 1 night on our first trip a few years back, but want a couple more nights now) and then through France to Le Havre for the ferry back to the UK. Something along these lines :
Having done the Spanish part of the Pyrenees, I'm after some good roads for the French part, I've looked at Pas d'Arlas, Col de Soulor, and Col d'Aubisque, but not sure if there's any more/others people would recommend.
Then I'm also looking for some suggestions for after leaving Monaco and heading back up to Switzerland towards Briens/Interlaken.
As well as the final stretch from Interlaken back towards the French ferries (St Malo or Le Havre), it's a fair track so probably looking at a hotel somewhere in the middle, I looked at Djion but not sure if there's any better suggestions for places/routes in that direction.
From Monaco you could head towards Red Rock Road, D2202 onwards towards Barcelonette and Savignes le Lac, then take N92 towards Briancon and take the Col Dizoard route. From there I’d head towards Annecy and stay there. To Interlaken you can take some routes through the Alps via the Comet de Roseland and Aosta to the San Bernardo pass for example. Up towards Interlaken you also have the Jaun pass but it’s a little bit out of the way… some options there anyway.
So this will all depend on how much you can fit into the itinerary (and wife tolerance), but all of these I’d recommend.
French Pyrenees:
You could access the Western end via Spain on the N-121-A, N-121-B, NA-2600, NA-138 or N-135.
Also in the West you have the D18 Col de Burdincurutcheta, Col de Larrau and the Col de Bagargui. Bargargui is tight, I wouldn’t drive it in a supercar.
My favourite roads in the central section are:
D918 Col d’Aspin & Col du Tourmalet
D618 Col de Peyresourde
D46 road up to Superbagneres ski resort
D618A Col du Portillon
D85 & D44 Col de la Clin, Col de Mente
D119 Grotte du Mas d’Azil
D618 Col du Port
D613 from the N20 to the D117
D25 Col de Pailheres
From here you could pick up the D118 which is a decent road and get back on the Autoroute at Carcassone
In Provence and the French Alps:
You could enter through the Mont Ventoux national park. Here you have the D974, D217, D1, D942 all stunning roads.
From here you could head across country to Riez and pick up the D952 Verdon Gorge road into Castellane. From Castellane you have riches. I’d recommend doing the northern section of the Route Napoleon D4085 to Barreme and then the southern section to Grasse.
Or you can take the D955 and N202 to pick up the D902 Gorges Daluis road. Or pick up the D2 south of Castellane which takes you all the way to Nice and through the infamous Clue de Greolieres.
This entire area is riches, but to name a few more favourites, D802, D17/M17 to the Var, D2211A, D2211, D12, D112 …
Closer or past Monaco you have the D2566 Col de Turini, D2204 Col de Braus, D2566 Col d’Erc, D6204 Col de Tende and the D53 La Turbie through to the D21.
Rather than getting the Autoroute/Strada to Turin (the coastal section is great, rest not so much) is make your way up through the alps and then cross into Italy on one of the passes.
If you head up on the M2205 you could do the epic Col de la Bonette then D902 Col de Vars then Col de Izoard and then take the N94 Col de Montgenevre into Italy and on to Turin.
Heading to Switzerland make sure you take the Saint Bernard rather than the tunnel! And then of course it would be rude not to do the Susten-Grimsel-Furka passes !
All depends on how many days and how much driving time you want to do each day.
Enjoy!
French Pyrenees:
You could access the Western end via Spain on the N-121-A, N-121-B, NA-2600, NA-138 or N-135.
Also in the West you have the D18 Col de Burdincurutcheta, Col de Larrau and the Col de Bagargui. Bargargui is tight, I wouldn’t drive it in a supercar.
My favourite roads in the central section are:
D918 Col d’Aspin & Col du Tourmalet
D618 Col de Peyresourde
D46 road up to Superbagneres ski resort
D618A Col du Portillon
D85 & D44 Col de la Clin, Col de Mente
D119 Grotte du Mas d’Azil
D618 Col du Port
D613 from the N20 to the D117
D25 Col de Pailheres
From here you could pick up the D118 which is a decent road and get back on the Autoroute at Carcassone
In Provence and the French Alps:
You could enter through the Mont Ventoux national park. Here you have the D974, D217, D1, D942 all stunning roads.
From here you could head across country to Riez and pick up the D952 Verdon Gorge road into Castellane. From Castellane you have riches. I’d recommend doing the northern section of the Route Napoleon D4085 to Barreme and then the southern section to Grasse.
Or you can take the D955 and N202 to pick up the D902 Gorges Daluis road. Or pick up the D2 south of Castellane which takes you all the way to Nice and through the infamous Clue de Greolieres.
This entire area is riches, but to name a few more favourites, D802, D17/M17 to the Var, D2211A, D2211, D12, D112 …
Closer or past Monaco you have the D2566 Col de Turini, D2204 Col de Braus, D2566 Col d’Erc, D6204 Col de Tende and the D53 La Turbie through to the D21.
Rather than getting the Autoroute/Strada to Turin (the coastal section is great, rest not so much) is make your way up through the alps and then cross into Italy on one of the passes.
If you head up on the M2205 you could do the epic Col de la Bonette then D902 Col de Vars then Col de Izoard and then take the N94 Col de Montgenevre into Italy and on to Turin.
Heading to Switzerland make sure you take the Saint Bernard rather than the tunnel! And then of course it would be rude not to do the Susten-Grimsel-Furka passes !
All depends on how many days and how much driving time you want to do each day.
Enjoy!
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