What route to Monaco?
Discussion
Apologies for the self promotion in this post!
Being involved with the Mini Cooper Register, we have organised what we term as Minis to Monte. These events have followed the roads used by the Monte Carlo Rally in the 60's in fact some are still used to day. Most of the roads we use are quiet and a sheer pleasure to drive. Being involved with organisation I have driven my own Mini Cooper on these roads as well as a New Mini Cooper S, a Volvo (don't ask!) and more recently my Clio 182 to survey the route. We are deep in planning the 2010 event.
If you visit our special website for the event here it will hopefully give you an idea of places to and roads to look out for.
I guess it depends on how much time you have!
Reims is a must as already mentioned.
If museums to be taken in - try Loheac, amongst it's collection is a fair number of Group B rally cars. It's easy to get to you're crossing using the western crossings and its not far from Le Mans. Also a bit off the direct route is the museum at Mulhouse (eastern France) - with it's amazing collection of Bugattis.
Further south, west of Valance are the Burzet stages still used to day on the Monte.
The Route Napoleon is a great main road, just out side of Digne (about) 5K there is a small road which goes through Thoard and Authon and the drops down into Sisteron to rejoin the Route Napoleon. This again is a Monte Rally road, and still used to day.
Near Orange there is Mont Ventoux, this is one great climb, and it's worth taking the trip to the summit, hopefully the road might be clear of snow when you get there.
If you fancy a real challenge of a almost single track road with very few barriers and an almost lunar landscape, look for the Col d'Esperaux which is to the west of Gap. Once you're here take in the Col de Foureyssaasse and then the Col du Villars.
East of Castellane (Castellane is on the Route Napoleon) look for St Auban and the Clue St Auban. This road really needs to be driven east to west from say the P de Miolans. It is a very fast piece of road!
And finally, just north of Monte get to L'Escarene go over the Col de Braus to Sospel and the north on the D2566 through Moulinet to go over probably the most famous pass, at least in rallying the Col du Turini. Come off the Turini via Bollene and Lantosque and then drop down via the Gorges de la Vesubie. If you put the Col du Turini into google street view you will see some our our mini coopers at the summit.
To plot our routes, we are fortunate to have been lent copies of the route books for some of the 60's events, these we then transfer onto the modern Michelin road atlas (1:200 000).
Hope that helps!!
Robert
Being involved with the Mini Cooper Register, we have organised what we term as Minis to Monte. These events have followed the roads used by the Monte Carlo Rally in the 60's in fact some are still used to day. Most of the roads we use are quiet and a sheer pleasure to drive. Being involved with organisation I have driven my own Mini Cooper on these roads as well as a New Mini Cooper S, a Volvo (don't ask!) and more recently my Clio 182 to survey the route. We are deep in planning the 2010 event.
If you visit our special website for the event here it will hopefully give you an idea of places to and roads to look out for.
I guess it depends on how much time you have!
Reims is a must as already mentioned.
If museums to be taken in - try Loheac, amongst it's collection is a fair number of Group B rally cars. It's easy to get to you're crossing using the western crossings and its not far from Le Mans. Also a bit off the direct route is the museum at Mulhouse (eastern France) - with it's amazing collection of Bugattis.
Further south, west of Valance are the Burzet stages still used to day on the Monte.
The Route Napoleon is a great main road, just out side of Digne (about) 5K there is a small road which goes through Thoard and Authon and the drops down into Sisteron to rejoin the Route Napoleon. This again is a Monte Rally road, and still used to day.
Near Orange there is Mont Ventoux, this is one great climb, and it's worth taking the trip to the summit, hopefully the road might be clear of snow when you get there.
If you fancy a real challenge of a almost single track road with very few barriers and an almost lunar landscape, look for the Col d'Esperaux which is to the west of Gap. Once you're here take in the Col de Foureyssaasse and then the Col du Villars.
East of Castellane (Castellane is on the Route Napoleon) look for St Auban and the Clue St Auban. This road really needs to be driven east to west from say the P de Miolans. It is a very fast piece of road!
And finally, just north of Monte get to L'Escarene go over the Col de Braus to Sospel and the north on the D2566 through Moulinet to go over probably the most famous pass, at least in rallying the Col du Turini. Come off the Turini via Bollene and Lantosque and then drop down via the Gorges de la Vesubie. If you put the Col du Turini into google street view you will see some our our mini coopers at the summit.
To plot our routes, we are fortunate to have been lent copies of the route books for some of the 60's events, these we then transfer onto the modern Michelin road atlas (1:200 000).
Hope that helps!!
Robert
I just wanted to thank people for the info on this thread. I'm planning a trip to Monaco late Autumn (as SWMBO has to go away herself for a week) so I'll be introducing the GT-R to the Route Napoleon and some of the other roads recommended.
Need to keep an eye out for the Gendarmes, by the sound of things on other threads...
Thanks again.
Need to keep an eye out for the Gendarmes, by the sound of things on other threads...
Thanks again.
Gassing Station | Roads | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff