Grenoble to Sisteron via Route Napoleon?
I would welcome comments from anyone who has towed a large caravan South from Grenoble either via the old Route Napoleon (N85) and Gap OR the A51/N75/E712 via the Col de la Croix Haute. We are experienced, but have not towed in the high mountains with
such a large caravan before and wish to do so with forewarned with knowledge and respect! We have consulted viamichelin which will route us either way & we have tried to look at the satellite view, but it's a long route to check every detail and there's nothing
like first hand experience from other caravanners!
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Col de la Croix Haute is a lovely road - not at all steep, but has big sweeping bends as it rises after the motorway through Grenoble - it is gentle enough for trains to go over the same route and you will lose count of the level crossings as you drop down to Sisteron. It's a route without HGVs but is well used by Dutch caravanners although surprisingly rarely mentioned on here, as everyone is pre programmed to go to the Med. via Clermont Ferrand and Millau and few dare to break away !
We have been that way over the Col de Croix Haute five or six times and have usually stopped for a night or two at Camping Belle Roche at Lalley near the top of the pass - it has always seemed to me an ideal little site - with scenery, space, swimming pool, impeccable facilities, few visitors, agreeable owners, meals and drinks.
I am told the Route Napoleon N85 is much improved, but 25 years ago it went on to our never again list - blind bends, overhanging crags, double white lines, on coming traffic and all that, but I bet it's a perfectly fine road these days and the previous post confirms that.
But I do warmly recommend Camping Belle Roche.
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+1 to euro's post above - we've travelled over the Col de Croix Haute several times with a caravan and more recently m'home with no problems. You may need a crit air certificate for the motorway past Grenoble - I'm not sure how it works for caravan/car, probably someone on here will know. Also agree re Belle Roche.
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Used that route in 2016 going to Gorges du Verdon. Can't recall anything to worry about other than French pickets in Sisteron who had stopped traffic by setting fire to tyres in some protest or other.
We stayed at Camping Belle Roche and like ET's review above we found it a beautiful restful site. It was only supposed to be a night halt but we stayed for four because the weather was great.
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LesandAng, If you look to the right as you drive up to the Col de Croix Haute you will see this view of Mont Aiguille.
A very old local legend said that fairies lived on the top but that no one had ever been up there to see them. So back in the year 1492 the king heard the story and sent servants to check - somehow they got up to the top and reported back that they didn't see any. We went to nosy around but couldn't see any obvious way up. You could try !
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We have towed our 7.9m T/A several times over the Col de la Croix Haute in both directions. Excellent road with wonderful views and nothing to worry about. Have driven the N85 Route Napoleon also several times, but always in a suitable car and never with the caravan. I wouldn't take the van on that route.
Paul
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Can anyone advise which is a good route from Calais to Sisteron for a caravan without too many tolls please? We would like to explore the northern part of Provence having enjoyed the southern part a few years ago.
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The D71 and D23 look equally challenging on Google Earth in anything bigger than a VW T5.
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Could anyone give advice on travelling to Luxenboug trying to avoid to many toll roads . P
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Not sure why you have asked this in a ten yearold thread about the road from Grenoble to Sisteron, but Calais to Luxembourg via Lille and tne edge of Namur is toll free dual carriageway all the way. Check out on your road atlas .
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