Route des Grandes Alpes.
Seven nights from Geneva to Cannes: one valley each evening, Iseran and Bonette as days of their own.
Seven nights from Geneva to Cannes: one valley each evening, Iseran and Bonette as days of their own.
Passes instead of the motorway – Cannes only when the mountains are behind you.
Background
History.
The Route des Grandes Alpes was developed from 1911 as a north–south tourist link across the French Alps; many cols were mule tracks or military roads before.
Col de l'Iseran (opened to traffic in 1937) remains the highest paved Alpine pass; Cime de la Bonette completes the chain in the south as Europe’s highest paved road.
Today the route is seasonal (often June–September) and part of Tour de France lore – closures and motorbike traffic belong to pass season.
Must-sees
Top 10.
1. Col des Aravis or Colombière after Geneva.
2. 1 night in Megève or Grand-Bornand.
3. Cormet de Roselend with a lake stop.
4. 1 night in Val-d'Isère or Séez – Iseran the next morning.
5. Col de l'Iseran and Col du Galibier in one day.
6. Briançon: Vauban old town on foot.
7. Col d'Izoard and Casse Déserte as a short stage.
8. Cime de la Bonette including the ridge loop.
9. 1 night in Saint-Martin-Vésubie before the sea.
10. Cannes: Suquet, not Croisette rush.
Gallery
Impressions.
Stay
Hotels in Route des Grandes Alpes.
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