S. France & back to Blighty
Discussion
Nice to Briancon via the Col De Bonette (3hrs if you are in a hurry, don't want to look at scenery, don't want to stop for a drink or lunch, 4.5-5hrs if you do) and stay in Auberge De La Paix
Briancon to Chamonix via Col De Galibier (5hrs non stop) then turn right up the valley to the Col D'Iseran which will drop you to Val D'Isere, stay in hotel Ormelune or go down the valley to Seez and make a right over the Col De Petit St Bernard into Italy, from here you can make a left for the tunnel back to Chamonix in France (from where I'm writing now) or make a right down the valley and then a left over the Grand Bernard to loop back to Chamonix via the Col De Forclaz.
It's normally 2 days but you could easily chop it up into 3 (Nice to Briancon - Briancon to Val - Val to Chamonix by doing both Bernards)
I once did this journey (without the 2nd Bernard) from St Tropez to Geneva airport in 1 day but that took a massive effort!
Briancon to Chamonix via Col De Galibier (5hrs non stop) then turn right up the valley to the Col D'Iseran which will drop you to Val D'Isere, stay in hotel Ormelune or go down the valley to Seez and make a right over the Col De Petit St Bernard into Italy, from here you can make a left for the tunnel back to Chamonix in France (from where I'm writing now) or make a right down the valley and then a left over the Grand Bernard to loop back to Chamonix via the Col De Forclaz.
It's normally 2 days but you could easily chop it up into 3 (Nice to Briancon - Briancon to Val - Val to Chamonix by doing both Bernards)
I once did this journey (without the 2nd Bernard) from St Tropez to Geneva airport in 1 day but that took a massive effort!
nagrom said:
thanks Dan, sounds like the route to test the R8.
And there was me thinking that you would be driving a Morgan!!!I drove from Chamonix to Briancon today and couldn't do Col De Iseran or Col De Galibier because snowchains were compulsory and not only do I not have chains but I have tyres that don't really like the cold and wet let alone snow!
I've driven these roads LOADS of times and never seen this at this time of year so it may be ok by the time you pass through!
If not you could opt for the Col De Montgenevre then through the Frejus tunnel to Albertville, then hed to Bourg St Maurice and the route I mentioned above OR head to Grenoble (Briancon to Grenoble is an AMAZING road) then take a quick motorway trip to Albertville and on to Bourg St Maurice etc etc
Don't get swayed by Route Napoleon and if I were you I wouldn't take the Frejus tunnel option, also, I wouldn't be tempted to cross from Albertville to Chamonix via Megeve, the Petit St Bernard is too good to miss!!!!
nagrom said:
Thanks again Don and sorry for the mispelling!
As you know the area well can you recommend any good hotels?
In the middle part around the Col De Bonette there is an amazing looking place at the end (heading from south to north) of the Col De Bonette in a place called Jausier, it's at the top end of what you will find around there! Chateau MagnansAs you know the area well can you recommend any good hotels?
Half way between that and Briancon is a REALLY quiet place set inside a walled village (like something from It's a Knockout) called L'Echaugette, you will have to amuse yourselves but it's an interesting place.
Slightly further on is Auberge de la Paix in Briancon old town, it's more B&B (Auberge) but the old town is really nice and has a FANTASTIC restaurant called Le Cavroche (with a C not a G)
If you end up in Val D'Isere I would head for Hotel Ormelune (but Val could be DEAD DEAD quiet now)
In Chamonix head for Hotel Grandes Alpes which is REALLY nice and has underground parking!
Or Hotel Faucigny which is a bargain for what it is but outdoor parking!
Edited by don logan on Monday 3rd September 11:59
nagrom said:
Fantastic, many thanks. I will let you know how we fare.
Yes do!Some people like using a site called Bison Fute for information about Col "status" but I think they are a bit slow to update!
If you want to double check that Bonette is open you can call Jausier tourist office
00 33 4 92 81 21 45
For Galibier call the Briancon tourist office
0033 4 92 21 08 50
For Iseran call Val D'Isere
0033 4 79 06 06 60
For Pt St Bernard call Bourg St Maurice tourist office
00 33 4 79 07 24 90
Sorry I don't have a number for Grand Bernard but I'm guessing that Martigny tourist office (Swiss) would help
Edited by don logan on Monday 3rd September 14:42
swerni said:
nagrom said:
Not me Don, only just back and we had a great trip. Took your advice as far as Briancon and then headed north to Beaune. Must say that I found some of the roads a little too narrow especially so with all the mad cyclists tearing around and cutting the corners! Many thanks.
I found, holding my breath on some of the tight bits helped 
As far as the roads go, I thought they maybe what you were looking for, sorry that they weren't! :-( I often think of driving various cars on the route I gave you and find myself ruling out a lot of great cars because they just aren't that suited to those roads!
Saying that, Briancon to Grenoble would suit an R8, as would the Col De Forclaz.
And the cyclists.......... This was actually by far my worst trip for cyclists coming down hairpins on my side of the road so I know what you mean about that!
ArmaghMan said:
Only thing I'd add is try and get a look at the Maillu viaduct if you can. On the A75 if memory serves..
I've been dying to get a look at it but I never seem to get far enough west for a visit!I remember finding a spectacular hotel there that seemed cheap for what it was, Chateau De La Caze?
Will take a detour one day!
don logan said:
ArmaghMan said:
Only thing I'd add is try and get a look at the Maillu viaduct if you can. On the A75 if memory serves..
I've been dying to get a look at it but I never seem to get far enough west for a visit!I remember finding a spectacular hotel there that seemed cheap for what it was, Chateau De La Caze?
Will take a detour one day!
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