Col. de la Bonnette France

tonbar
tonbar Forum Participant Posts: 2
edited January 2016 in Overseas Campsites & Touring #1

I am planning a tour in France this June and would like to go over the Col de la Bonnette from south to north in a 6m motorcaravan.  Has any one experience of this

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  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,831 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #2

    It's a much improved road compared with what it was in the glory days, but it's still steep, 16% = 1 in 6 in places, very high indeed, and narrow near the top. ThIs Club says not recommended for caravans, not an absolute prohibition, but doesn't mention motor homes. We were in a Land Rover and took a gravelled diversion, but you won't do that, will you. 

    I'd say it depends on your driving skill, your  power/weight ratio and your navigator's nerves. Google will point you to  several films on the Internet from people who have gone that way. And Dangerousroads.org is always fun to look through.

  • tonbar
    tonbar Forum Participant Posts: 2
    edited January 2016 #3

    Thanks for that info.  Looked at Dangerousroads.org. Think it may be wise to change the route a little or do it on a bike!

     

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,831 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #4

    Oh dear, have I  put you off ?  The Col de Bonette is not nearly as fearsome as some of those other passes. 

     A panel van conversion - Murvi Morello sort of thing  - would cope easily. After all the Tour de France has gone that way several times, and that means lots of spectators up there with campervans, and all the team mechanics with support vehicles following
    the cyclists. 

     

  • EJB986
    EJB986 Forum Participant Posts: 1,153
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    edited January 2016 #5

    Most passes in Europe are perfectly OK witness the acceptable road surface.

    That one looks a little long and could be boring....but haven't been near it!!!!

  • Aquila
    Aquila Forum Participant Posts: 96
    edited January 2016 #6

    I lived in the south of France for 20 years and went over the col at least twice each year birdwatching. The road is fine for a motor home. In fact the approach roads up from Nice are probably more difficult than the roads over the col. The only problem
    is the virages (hairpins), just take them very wide. The col is normally not cleared of snow until the end of May so check on the snow websites first. The col is in the Mercantour National Park but you could probably get away with the odd overnight up there
    without running foul of the wardens. There are lots of old military buildings at the top so plenty of nice flat areas. It's a fantastic place, 2,800 metres high with lots of wildlife e.g. Marmots, Ibex and wild sheep, there are also wolves but not usually
    seen. Also great birds like Eagles, Ptarmigan and interesting passerines, Lammergier have been introduced in the last 20 years. The wildflower meadows are fantastic in May/June. Go for it!

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited January 2016 #7
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User

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