Route de Napolean: north > south OR south > north

[Longers]

Hi all

I've already gleaned loads and loads of info from this forum (thanks everyone ) and intend to take in the R de N soon. Is it best heading north or south on this road or doesn't it really matter? Am thinking of driving to Monaco and doing a loop going via the Millau bridge / R de N on way there or back.

Cheers,
Longers

[heebeegeetee]

I don';t think it matters which way, but it is by far best below Digne les Bains.

However, you will be well into camper van season now, so you'll only get a good run on it early am or later pm.

Likewise Gorges du Verdon will be a total tourist trap. If you venture off the beaten track though you'll do better.

[Rocket Pepper]

Heading South for me. It's nicer to arrive than leave too.

Watch out for Gendarmes. They're keen!

[Shropshiremike]

heebeegeetee said:

Likewise Gorges du Verdon will be a total tourist trap. If you venture off the beaten track though you'll do better.

If you get up early to do Gorges du Verdon you should be OK - i was there almost exactly 1 year ago and got a good run round - started about 8am

[Longers]

Thanks for the replies

Shropshiremike said:

heebeegeetee said:

Likewise Gorges du Verdon will be a total tourist trap. If you venture off the beaten track though you'll do better.

If you get up early to do Gorges du Verdon you should be OK - i was there almost exactly 1 year ago and got a good run round - started about 8am

How long does it take to do the Gorges du Verdon ?

Cheers,
Longers

[Shropshiremike]

Longers said:

Thanks for the replies

Shropshiremike said:

heebeegeetee said:

Likewise Gorges du Verdon will be a total tourist trap. If you venture off the beaten track though you'll do better.

If you get up early to do Gorges du Verdon you should be OK - i was there almost exactly 1 year ago and got a good run round - started about 8am

How long does it take to do the Gorges du Verdon ?

Cheers,
Longers

Longer than you might think looking at it on the map is the simple answer. Depends on how you drive/traffic/how much you want to stop and take photos etc. Clarkson said you're lucky to average 25mph. If you just hare round without stopping and you start early, 3 hours is probably fine but I spent longer as I had breakfast up there, took photos etc...

[Longers]

3 hours - wow! Doesn't seem that long on the map but looks well worth it from your pics

[Shropshiremike]

Longers said:

3 hours - wow! Doesn't seem that long on the map but looks well worth it from your pics

Maybe you'll do it faster.....but you might be sad after if you don't pause to look at the view now and then! Seemed to be more coaches and cars in the afternoon though when I visited.

Stopped in Auguines for lunch

[Longers]

I'm a keen photographer so will be stopping on the way to get some shots

Please stop posting your pics - you're making me want to go there NOW

[Shropshiremike]

Longers said:

Please stop posting your pics - you're making me want to go there NOW

Ok

Was just trying to illustrate why you might not want to bomb round without stopping....

[sassthathoopie]

I've driven the RN in both directions. I would agree driving North to South is better since when you get on at Grenoble it's fun, and it keeps getting better. (Except for Sisteron which was dull compared to the mental image I had of it). I drove in a sunny March - recommended as v quiet.

As you come out at the south end take a left heading east to prolong the experience. Road is a little rough but awesome views/drive (It's fairly obvious on the map)

Also worth a bash:
Col du Turini above Monaco; approach from the quiet North side is my advice, then down the famous South side
Mont Ventoux; Can be linked in with Gorde du Verdon if you're heading for Avingnon (which you should!) Views are great on a clear day, it's used for testing prototypes, it looks like no other mountain in the area, and if you've ever watched The Tour you'll have to go.

I'll be back in the Autumn...

[VTECMatt]

Darent say how quickly I drove it last year was on my way back from Monaco needless to say a far higher average speed than 25mph!

[heebeegeetee]

Shropshiremike said:

Longers said:

Please stop posting your pics - you're making me want to go there NOW

Ok

Was just trying to illustrate why you might not want to bomb round without stopping....

That is indeed my problem when trying to hoon in that part of the world - i can't stop stopping to get out and take in each jaw dropping vista.

[Chris71]

How long does it take to get to the interesting bits of Route Napoleon via the autoroute? Thinking I should do it myself sometime.

[Shropshiremike]

Chris71 said:

How long does it take to get to the interesting bits of Route Napoleon via the autoroute? Thinking I should do it myself sometime.

Well, I have done a straight run from the Tunnel to Monaco in 12 hours without breaking speed limits and having a lunch/fuel stop ...so if you were to pick it up just south-east of Lyon I reckon about 8 hours depending on how you drive

[kryten22uk]

sassthathoopie said:

I would agree driving North to South is better since when you get on at Grenoble it's fun, and it keeps getting better. (Except for Sisteron which was dull compared to the mental image I had of it).

Chris71 said:

How long does it take to get to the interesting bits of Route Napoleon via the autoroute?

What are the "interesting bits" then? I read elsewhere that the RN is best from Sisteron to Grasse, but above it is mentioned to join a bit earlier at Grenoble. Is the Grenoble to Sisteron stretch worth it?

[heebeegeetee]

kryten22uk said:

What are the "interesting bits" then? I read elsewhere that the RN is best from Sisteron to Grasse, but above it is mentioned to join a bit earlier at Grenoble. Is the Grenoble to Sisteron stretch worth it?

I reckon not. I've driven it out of season and still found far too much traffic on it.

If you want a hoon from grenoble, and if you have the time, this is what i recommend: Find Uriage-les-Bains, just on the SE outskirts of grenoble. From there is a circular road, the D111 known as the Chamrousse loop, tis an old Monte Carlo route from the 50's and 60's I believe. Its a terrific road, wide, smooth and deserted and it don't half get to a height. Its a really fantastic road.

Then from I would go to Gap, which is on the Route Napolean anyway. From Gap go to La Javie via the Col du Labouret all on the D900, and on to Digne-les-Bains. This is a great road and a lot quieter than the Route Napolean. To the east of Gap is the Lac de Serre-Poncon, which has entertaining roads around it, but again that depends on time.

From there you can go to sisteron. Its a long way round, but much more entertaining imo. From Digne you can then take the best part of Route Napolean down to Grasse etc, but at this time of year I think it will be busy with campers. An early morning depart from Sisteron would be fun though.

[Longers]

Thanks for all the info

Ultimately how much "play time" I get in the area depends on
1. how many days I can get away from work & family, and
2. how far I feel comfortable driving in a day (not that I'm worried about long distances - a couple of years ago we left Peterborough 3am on Friday and arrived at Monza to camp for the F1GP at 7pm the same day with regular driver change/fuel stops, then did the same journey in reverse on the Monday - but I didn't do that in an 18 year old TVR and it was motorways all of the way )

Time to get on with some detailed planning now....

[heebeegeetee]

Longers said:

Thanks for all the info

Ultimately how much "play time" I get in the area depends on
1. how many days I can get away from work & family, and
2. how far I feel comfortable driving in a day (not that I'm worried about long distances - a couple of years ago we left Peterborough 3am on Friday and arrived at Monza to camp for the F1GP at 7pm the same day with regular driver change/fuel stops, then did the same journey in reverse on the Monday - but I didn't do that in an 18 year old TVR and it was motorways all of the way )

Time to get on with some detailed planning now....

I try to keep to a max of 8 hours between hotels, otherwise you end up knackered and don't enjoy yourself as much, imo. Keep yourself wanting more, i say.

[trackdemon]

Another recommendation, if its fits with your schedule is to take in the D2 which almost has a junction with the N85 and heads to Vence... near town called Malamaire:

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=43.807526,6...

Fantastic piece of road, almost traffic free and contains huge variation from fast & flowing down through to hairpins