All,

I'm heading down to the french riviera in a couple of weeks time for 10 days. Ferry to Boulogne then straight down to Marseille and across to Toulon, St Tropez, Cannes, Monte Carlo. We are then heading back thru the Alps, Grenoble, Dijon.

Anyone got any suggestions for places to visit/stay (B+B/budget) or spectacular drives not to miss en-route?

Thx.

DTTB

 

I detests towns like Cannes and St Tropez.

St Tropez particular, I find especially detestable. This town shows the worst of what money can bring. Too ostentatious to me.

The countryside is lovely with a lot of nice driving roads. The time of year you are going should be good as most of the tourists will be gone. It gets very busy down there in July & August.

I have no particular places to recommend and you may love those places I detests.

The Alps, Grenoble, Dijon should be nice with a lot of other nice driving roads and tunnels.

Have fun!

 

We did something similar earlier in the year. We drove from lake Como across the Alps taking the Simplon Pass which is stunning.

The B roads in France are ace too so avoid the motorways. The trip from Dijon up to Champagne was particulary memorable.

A few pics below and our route map across the alps below and on to Champagne below. I can send you the rest of our route if you are interested.

Nick

 

Visit the Gorges du Verdon - The Grand Canyon of Europe, just off the N85 (Route Napoleon) at Castellane, north of Grasse

 

Looks more like Cheddar Gorge to me

 

Fantastic scenery and roads.


The Woman, I visited Cannes La Bocca - stayed there for a couple of weeks and had a very nice time as it happens. Ventured into Cannes a couple of times, but in general we slummed it on the beach with the locals, shopped in the local markets and spent a few days driving up the hill and into the valleys beyond. 2,500 miles in 2 weeks (1,600 there and back, the rest just for sightseeing )

 

Buy some Michelin regional maps and the most scenic roads are bordered in green

http://mapping.drive-alive.co.uk/maps/maps.htm

 

If you are looking for cheap overnight accomodation while on the move in France it can only be the Formule 1 hotels.

About

 

Absolutely , done it this summer on the bikes.

And whatever you do if you are near the area , Drive the N202 and the N85

over 100km's of pure thrills

 

Briancon to Nice via:
Col d'Izoard (2361m)
Col de Vars (2110m)
Col De La Bonette (2802m)

Is worth doing. Do the Col De La Bonette because it will annoy Blurter as it's higher than the Stelvio
only kidding Dave!

The other that's worth doing if you're close enough is Col de L'Iseran that goes over to Val D'Isere.

Take a look at this thread for my trip around Europe https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=309819