How long is Route Napoleon?
France, europe
325 km
N/A
easy
Year-round
Get ready for an epic road trip along Route Napoleon, a seriously stunning drive that snakes through the French mountains, linking the glitzy French Riviera to the rugged southern Pre-Alps. It's basically following in the footsteps of Napoleon himself when he made his daring escape from Elba back in 1815!
We're talking about 325 km (200 mi) of pure driving bliss on perfectly paved roads (routes N85, D1085, D4085, and D6085 to be exact).
The adventure kicks off in Golfe-Juan, a charming coastal town on the Côte d'Azur where Napoleon first stepped ashore on March 1st, 1815. From there, you'll wind your way through Provence, hitting spots like Cannes and Grasse before heading inland. Expect to pass through picturesque towns like Saint-Vallier-de-Thiey, Castellane (home of the Napoleon Bridge!), and Barrême. You'll conquer the Col des Leques (1,146 m), cruise along the Bléone river, and even spot a castle where Napoleon supposedly spent the night. Sisteron and Gap are on the itinerary before tackling the Col Bayard (1,248 m) and pushing on to Grenoble.
Trust me, this drive is worth it. Imagine charming towns and villages begging to be explored and Imperial Eagle statues marking your way. The road itself is a masterpiece, designed for speed and showcasing your car's performance. Inaugurated in 1932, this historical route is dotted with monuments and commemorative plaques.
Give yourself around 8 to 9 hours to complete the whole route. Napoleon took a week with a thousand men in tow, but you might want to spread it out over a few days to soak up the incredible views. Just keep your eyes peeled for the brown eagle signs, and get ready for the ride of your life!
Where is it?
How long is Route Napoleon? is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 43.8843, 6.4394
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 325 km
- Difficulty
- easy
- Coordinates
- 43.8843, 6.4394
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