The Route Napoléon
The Route Napoléon - in the footsteps of history
The Route Napoléon, signposted by gilded eagle markers, is both a historic and tourist attraction of Hautes-Alpes, recounting the story of the Emperor in 1815. After being forced to abdicate on 6 April 1814, Napoléon Bonaparte was exiled to the island of Elba. From then on he had only one objective, to escape and overturn the monarchy. The Route Napoléon (RN85) is the name given to the route he took accompanied by three thousand men on his way to Paris to regain control. It runs from Golfe Juan to Grenoble, via Grasse, Digne, Gap and Col Bayard, crossing two regions and four ‘départements’ including Hautes-Alpes, through the valleys of Champsaur and Valgaudemar.
Originally known as the Route des Alpes d’Hiver, the 314km long road took the name Route Napoléon in 1932 and is one of the best ways to admire the beautiful scenery of Hautes-Alpes.
Follow the route through beautiful villages and countryside to discover the high reaches of the Alps. At the start it is bordered by fields of lavender and sunflowers, followed by apple orchards before gradually climbing to the fortified hillside villages of Upaix and Ventavon, overlooking the Durance Valley. Further north, the small town of Tallard has a medieval centre featuring many remnants of its past including a 14th century castle, 17th century church (a place of pilgrimage for Armenians), wash pools and fountains. Another absolute must is its red wine, to be drunk in moderation… Take a little detour to the aerodrome for a wide range of aerial activities including ballooning, parachute-jumps, gliding, helicopter and microlight flights, paragliding, etc., not forgetting a wind tunnel with a freefall simulator and a 360° view of outside !
Scenery along the Route Napoléon RN85
The Route Napoléon towards Gap
The N85 continues on its way through the Gapençais basin to Gap which links Provence and Dauphiné. The town centre has ochre buildings with coloured facades and a slightly Italian air in a mountainous setting with a myriad of different faces. There are plenty of outdoor activities for visitors of all ages near Gap : golf, cycling, museums, rafting, walking, mountain biking and the Domaine de Charance, a great place for families.
Next the Route follows Col Bayard before crossing into the Champsaur, a wooded valley dominated by the Massif des Ecrins, then going through the medieval village of Saint-Bonnet-en-Champsaur. You can take several side roads to visit the Refuges Napoléon at Col du Noyer and Col de Manse, built much later by another Napoleon (Napoleon III) to thank the local people for their hospitality.
The Route continues on to the village of Corps, on the border of Hautes-Alpes and crosses into Isère passing through the village of La Mure, then past Lac de Laffrey to Grenoble.
Julie shares her secret unspoilt spot : « As a family we love walking along the numerous footpaths in Hautes-Alpes. A few minutes from Gap, towards the Col de Manse stands a little mountain known as « Napoleon’s hat », marking the Emperor’s passage through the area. After quite a steep climb to the top, the spectacular view of the Gapençais basin and surrounding mountains is totally breathtaking ! »
How to get to Gap :
By air : to Grenoble 145km, Lyon 190km, Marseille 180km, Turin 210km.
By road : Route Napoléon N85 or autoroute A 51.
By rail : to Gap, TGV to Aix en Provence (165km)."
Our selection of accommodations
Lodging
Ecrins de Verdure
in ST-BONNET-EN-CHAMPSAUR - Hautes-Alpes
