Where does this route start and end?

The route runs from Thonon-les-Bains, France to Menton, France in French Alps, France.

When is the best time to travel this route?

The best time to travel this route is Late June to early October.

How active is this route?

Activity level: Active. Moderately active — expect some walking and light physical activity.

What transport do I need for this route?

This route works best with a car or a campervan.

What budget do I need for this route?

Mid-range spending — expect comfortable accommodation and a mix of dining options.

What type of accommodation suits this route?

Mixed accommodation works well along this route.

What is the pace of this trip?

Balanced — a good mix of sightseeing and downtime.

What type of trip is this?

This route is well-suited to: Scenic, Nature, Adventure, Classic road trip, Culture.

Route des Grandes Alpes: Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean

Q: How long is the Route des Grandes Alpes: Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean route?

This route takes 11 days taking in 9 stops.

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The route · 9 stops

7 overnight bases · 2 stops on the way

Thonon-les-Bains

1 night

The official start, on the French shore of Lake Geneva an hour from Geneva airport. One night is enough. Ride the 1888 funicular down to Port de Rives, walk the marina, and look round Château de Ripaille before the mountains begin. Stock up here, because prices climb with the altitude.The official start, on the French shore of Lake Geneva an hour from Geneva airport. One night is enough. Ride the 1888 funicular down to Port de Rives, walk the marina, and look round Château de Ripaille before the mountains begin. Stock up here, because prices climb with the altitude.

Recommendations

On the way

Morzine
A pause rather than a stay. The Col des Gets drops you into Morzine, a slate-roofed Portes du Soleil town where the mountains first feel serious. Stretch your legs by the Dranse, take a coffee on the main street, then push on over the Aravis towards the Beaufortain.A pause rather than a stay. The Col des Gets drops you into Morzine, a slate-roofed Portes du Soleil town where the mountains first feel serious. Stretch your legs by the Dranse, take a coffee on the main street, then push on over the Aravis towards the Beaufortain.
Recommendations

On to Bourg-Saint-Maurice

Bourg-Saint-Maurice

2 nights

The Tarentaise base and the best-supplied town between Lake Geneva and Briançon. Two nights buys the Cormet de Roselend day loop past the dam and lake, the funicular up to Les Arcs and its Charlotte Perriand architecture, and an afternoon rafting the Isère.The Tarentaise base and the best-supplied town between Lake Geneva and Briançon. Two nights buys the Cormet de Roselend day loop past the dam and lake, the funicular up to Les Arcs and its Charlotte Perriand architecture, and an afternoon rafting the Isère.

Recommendations

On the way

Val-d'Isère
The gateway to the Col de l'Iseran, at 2,764 m the highest paved through-pass in the Alps. Stop for fuel and a look at the old village core, then climb the switchbacks to the col sign. The descent into the Maurienne through Bonneval-sur-Arc is the finest half hour on the whole route.The gateway to the Col de l'Iseran, at 2,764 m the highest paved through-pass in the Alps. Stop for fuel and a look at the old village core, then climb the switchbacks to the col sign. The descent into the Maurienne through Bonneval-sur-Arc is the finest half hour on the whole route.
Recommendations

On to Valloire

Valloire

1 night

A working Maurienne village wedged between the Télégraphe and the Galibier, and the right place to sleep before the highest stretch of the route. See the baroque church of Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption, built between 1630 and 1682 with nine altarpieces, then start the Galibier climb early while the light is still low.A working Maurienne village wedged between the Télégraphe and the Galibier, and the right place to sleep before the highest stretch of the route. See the baroque church of Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption, built between 1630 and 1682 with nine altarpieces, then start the Galibier climb early while the light is still low.

Recommendations

On to Briançon

Briançon

2 nights

The highest town in France and the cultural high point of the drive. Vauban's bastioned upper town, built between 1692 and 1723, has been UNESCO listed since 2008. Two nights covers the ramparts and the Pont d'Asfeld, a day in the Vallée de la Clarée, and the Izoard with its lunar Casse Déserte.The highest town in France and the cultural high point of the drive. Vauban's bastioned upper town, built between 1692 and 1723, has been UNESCO listed since 2008. Two nights covers the ramparts and the Pont d'Asfeld, a day in the Vallée de la Clarée, and the Izoard with its lunar Casse Déserte.

Recommendations

On to Barcelonnette

Barcelonnette

2 nights

The Ubaye's capital, and unlike anywhere else on the route. Emigrants who made fortunes in Mexico came home in the 1800s and built villas here, one of which now holds the Musée de la Vallée. Two nights covers the Col de Vars arrival, a second pass day over the Cayolle or the Allos, and rafting on the Ubaye.The Ubaye's capital, and unlike anywhere else on the route. Emigrants who made fortunes in Mexico came home in the 1800s and built villas here, one of which now holds the Musée de la Vallée. Two nights covers the Col de Vars arrival, a second pass day over the Cayolle or the Allos, and rafting on the Ubaye.

Recommendations

On to Saint-Martin-Vésubie

Saint-Martin-Vésubie

1 night

The Mercantour base, reached over the Bonette and the Col Saint-Martin. Parc Alpha at Le Boréon keeps wolf packs in large semi-free enclosures inside the national park, and the Madone de Fenestre valley behind town is where the serious walking starts. A night here breaks the last stage properly.The Mercantour base, reached over the Bonette and the Col Saint-Martin. Parc Alpha at Le Boréon keeps wolf packs in large semi-free enclosures inside the national park, and the Madone de Fenestre valley behind town is where the serious walking starts. A night here breaks the last stage properly.

Recommendations

On to Menton

Menton

1 night

Journey's end, marked by the official Route des Grandes Alpes arrival plaque. The last drive climbs the Col de Turini, then falls through Sospel to the sea in under two hours. Spend the evening in the old town below the Basilique Saint-Michel and swim before the run to Nice airport.Journey's end, marked by the official Route des Grandes Alpes arrival plaque. The last drive climbs the Col de Turini, then falls through Sospel to the sea in under two hours. Spend the evening in the old town below the Basilique Saint-Michel and swim before the run to Nice airport.

Recommendations

Route highlights

Scenic Drive
Col de l'Iseran
At 2,764 m this is the highest paved through-pass in the Alps, climbed from Val-d'Isère and dropped into the Maurienne at Bonneval-sur-Arc. It is normally clear from mid-June to October and the summit chapel and pass sign are the classic photo stop of the crossing.
Viewpoint
Col d'Izoard and the Casse Déserte
The 2,360 m gateway from the Briançonnais into the Queyras. Just below the southern side, the Casse Déserte is a field of pale scree and rock pinnacles that looks lunar rather than alpine. Pull into the layby rather than trying to photograph it on the move.
Viewpoint
Cormet de Roselend
A 1,968 m pass out of Bourg-Saint-Maurice, 19 km at around 6 per cent, running past the Roselend dam and its turquoise reservoir. Coming back over the Col du Pré turns it into a half-day loop with the best vantage point over the lake.
Scenic Drive
Col de Turini to Sospel
The final pass, famous from the Monte Carlo Rally, dropping through chestnut forest and hairpins to Sospel and then the coast. It is the moment the air changes from alpine to Mediterranean, usually within an hour of driving.
Activity
Parc Alpha, Le Boréon
A wolf centre inside the Mercantour National Park above Saint-Martin-Vésubie, open since 2005, with packs living in large enclosures between 1,500 and 1,800 m. Allow half a day and time the visit around a feeding to see the animals properly.
Practical tip
Pass opening dates decide the trip
The route only runs end to end once the high cols clear. In 2026 the Bonette opened in mid-May, the Galibier and the Iseran around 12 June. Dates move every year with snowfall, so check departmental road information before booking anything in June or early October.
Scenic Drive
Col du Galibier
The 2,642 m pass above Valloire, reached over the Col du Télégraphe and dropping to the Lautaret. It is the most famous climb in Tour de France history and the road surface and barriers are excellent, so the altitude feels far less exposed than the numbers suggest.
Culture
Cité Vauban, Briançon
Vauban's bastioned upper town, built between 1692 and 1723 and UNESCO listed since 2008. The ramparts, the Porte de Pignerol, the Gargouille street and the single-arch Pont d'Asfeld over the Durance gorge make up the best half day of history on the route.
Scenic Drive
Col de la Bonette
The high crossing from the Ubaye into the Tinée and the Mercantour, usually open from mid-May and the earliest of the great passes to clear. The loop road around the Cime de la Bonette adds a few minutes and takes you to the highest surfaced road in France.
Food & drink
Beaufort cheese in the Beaufortain
The Beaufortain valley below the Roselend dam gives its name to one of France's great mountain cheeses. The producers' cooperative sells it straight from the dairy in Bourg-Saint-Maurice and Beaufort, and a wedge travels well in a cool bag for the rest of the drive.
Where to stay
Where to base yourself
Bourg-Saint-Maurice and Briançon are the two towns with real choice in hotels, guesthouses and campsites, which is why both get two nights. Valloire and Saint-Martin-Vésubie are small, so book those two well ahead in July and August or shift the night to a neighbouring village.

Route des Grandes Alpes: Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean