The Great Alpine Road (High passes)

From Thonon-les-Bains to Menton, the legendary Great Alpine Road stretches over 700 kilometres and make it possible to discover the valleys and passes that are the riches of the Alps.

The route enters to the north by the Galibier pass then the Lautaret, and follows the Guisane until it reaches the fortified town of Briançon. Here, the route goes over the Izoard pass via the impressive Casse Déserte before plunging into the Queyras massif. 

The descent goes through the village of Arvieux and then ventures into the winding Guil gorges until it reaches Guillestre.

For the last leg, the route goes along the Val d’Escreins nature reserve up to the Vars pass. The road continues into the neighbouring Alpes de Haute-Provence departement.  

By car, motorbike or bike, this route is often part of the Tour de France and the Giro and is a must when the weather is good.

 

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