Route Napoléon Road Trip: The Ultimate Scenic Drive Through the French Alps
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The legendary Route Napoléon is one of the most scenic road trips in France. Stretching from the Mediterranean coast to the Alps, this historic route follows the path taken by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1815 when he returned from exile on the island of Elba.
Starting in the coastal town of Golfe-Juan and ending near Grenoble, the route crosses dramatic mountain landscapes, charming villages, and spectacular viewpoints.
This road trip offers an incredible mix of Mediterranean scenery, alpine landscapes, and historic towns. It’s one of the best ways to discover southern France by car.
If you are planning a longer trip across the country, you might also enjoy exploring the French Riviera, discovering the beauty of Provence, or following a scenic Paris to Lyon road trip through Burgundy.
Map of the Route Napoléon Road Trip
To help you plan your journey, you can find the main stops along the Route Napoléon on the map below.
In this guide
Day 1 – Golfe-Juan to Grasse
Your road trip begins in the coastal town of Golfe-Juan, where Napoleon Bonaparte famously landed in 1815 upon his escape from Elba.
To officially start your journey on the historic Route Napoléon (signed as the N85), head out of Golfe-Juan by taking the D6007 inland toward Vallauris, then follow the winding roads as they climb steadily into the hills through the characteristic Provençal countryside. Transition onto the scenic D6185 and D3 roads as you ascend toward Grasse, the perfume capital of the world. This stunning mountain drive offers sweeping views of the Mediterranean coastline fading behind you as you enter the dramatic foothills of the Alps.
Things to Do Along This Leg:
- Walk along the marina in Golfe-Juan: Start your morning by the water where the emperor’s troops first set foot on French soil.
- Visit historic sites linked to Napoleon’s landing: Discover the commemorative plaque and monuments marking the exact spot of his historic return.
- Explore the old town of Grasse: Wander through the narrow, medieval streets of the perfume capital and soak in the historic atmosphere.
- Tour a famous perfume factory: Stop by the renowned Fragonard Perfume Museum (or Molinard/Galand) for an immersive workshop or guided tour into the art of French perfumery.
Day 2 – Grasse to Castellane
Today, the road becomes more dramatic as you leave the perfume capital behind and head deep into the mountains toward Castellane. To follow the historic path of the Route Napoléon, you will take the N85 out of Grasse. This iconic road is a masterpiece of driving, winding its way through the rugged limestone landscape of the Verdon region. As you climb through mountain passes like the Col de Luens and the Col du Luens, the scenery shifts from Provençal hills to towering alpine cliffs, eventually leading you to the charming village of Castellane, which sits as the gateway to the spectacular Verdon Gorge.
Things to do:
- Drive the N85 (The Route Napoléon): Experience one of the most famous driving roads in France, renowned for its hairpin turns and breathtaking mountain vistas.
- Stop at scenic viewpoints: Make the most of the dedicated lookouts (belvédères) along the N85 to photograph the dramatic scale of the Alps.
- Explore the village of Castellane: Wander through this quintessential mountain village and take the short, steep hike up to the Chapel of Notre-Dame du Roc for a panoramic view of the surrounding peaks.
- Visit the Verdon Gorge: Take a short detour from Castellane to reach the edge of the Gorges du Verdon. Whether you drive the cliffside roads or simply stop at a viewpoint, the sheer scale of the « Grand Canyon of Europe » is an unforgettable highlight.
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Day 3 – Castellane to Gap
Today, your journey continues as you depart the rugged gateway of the Verdon and head north toward the alpine heights of Gap. You will remain on the historic path of the N85, the Route Napoléon, tracing the footsteps of the Emperor as he moved from the coast toward the Alps. This stretch of road offers a profound transition, leaving the limestone gorges behind for the wider, sweeping valleys and high-mountain atmosphere of the Champsaur region. As you traverse the passes and climb through the high-altitude plateaus, the landscape opens up into a dramatic corridor of jagged peaks and lush meadows, leading you to Gap, the sun-drenched capital of the Hautes-Alpes.
Things to do:
Explore the Gap region: Upon arriving in Gap, take some time to wander the pedestrian streets of the old town. If time permits, drive a few kilometers out of the city to the Domaine de Charance, which offers stunning views back over the valley and toward the surrounding massifs.
Continue on the Route Napoléon (N85): Enjoy this historic drive as it winds through the transition zone between the Mediterranean mountains and the true High Alps. Look for the N-crowned eagle markers that denote the path of Napoléon’s return from exile.
Visit Digne-les-Bains: Stop in this prefecture town to visit the Gassendi Museum or explore the world-renowned Musée-Promenade, which offers a unique look at the region’s geological history and UNESCO Geopark status.
Marvel at the Viaduc de la Reine Jeanne: Just before arriving in Digne, keep an eye out for this impressive 19th-century structure, a great example of the engineering that made this mountain route viable.
Day 4 – Gap to Grenoble
Today, your journey leads you north from the sun-drenched capital of Gap toward the majestic alpine metropolis of Grenoble, continuing your traverse along the legendary Route Napoléon (N85). As you ascend from the Gapençais basin, you will cross the historic Col Bayard, where the landscape shifts dramatically, trading the wide, gentle meadows of the Champsaur for the more rugged, imposing peaks of the Southern Alps. This segment of the road is a masterclass in mountain engineering, winding through high-altitude plateaus and past serene alpine lakes, before descending into the dramatic basin where the Drac and Isère rivers converge, framed by the towering ramparts of the Vercors and Belledonne massifs.
Things to do:
- Traverse the Col Bayard: As you leave Gap, this pass marks the transition point between the Mediterranean climate of the south and the true alpine atmosphere of the north. Take a moment at the summit to look back at the views of the Gapençais valley.
- Discover the Lakes of Laffrey: As you travel across the Matheysine plateau, keep an eye out for the lakes of Laffrey. Beyond their beauty, they are historically significant as the site of the « Prairie de la Rencontre, » where Napoleon famously confronted royalist troops sent to intercept him, winning them over to his side without a shot fired.
- Explore the Matheysine Plateau: Known for its wild, high-altitude character and views toward the Oisans range, this region offers a distinct contrast to the valleys below. It is a perfect area for a scenic roadside stop to appreciate the dramatic scale of the surrounding mountain ranges.
- Approach Grenoble, the Capital of the Alps: As the road begins its descent, you will be treated to breathtaking vistas of the Grenoble valley. Upon arrival, visit the Bastille fortress—you can take the iconic spherical cable car from the city center to get a bird’s-eye view of the city’s unique position at the meeting point of three major mountain chains.
Tips for Driving the Route Napoléon
Planning your first trip to France is exciting, and this itinerary offers a great introduction to the country.
Here are a few tips to make the most of your journey:
Take your time
The route covers around 325 km, but the real joy of this journey is stopping along the way to enjoy the scenery.
Visit in spring or early autumn
These seasons offer beautiful landscapes with fewer crowds.
Rent a car
Driving is the best way to fully experience the Route Napoléon and explore the small villages along the way.
Combine with the French Riviera
The starting point in Golfe-Juan is located on the stunning Mediterranean coast, making it easy to combine this road trip with a French Riviera itinerary.
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Madison Laffont
Travel planner · Journeasy France
I have lived all over France — I moved my whole life, and every corner of it turned out to be its own place. Travelling once, I met people who were only going to see Paris, and I felt frustrated on their behalf. There is so much more. That is where Journeasy France came from.
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