The Route Napoléon is undoubtedly one of the most popular tourist routes in France! Covering some 325km, this legendary route, named after the famous emperor, links the Côte d’Azur to the Alps. With its breathtaking panoramas, picturesque villages and historic sites, the Route Napoléon is a must for your motorhome holiday. Would you like to explore this legendary route? Find out now our itinerary and our top tips for your motorhome holiday!
History of the Route Napoléon
The Route Napoléon is the route that the emperor Napoléon Bonaparte took in 1815 as he set out to regain power.
While in exile on the island of Elba, Napoleon decided to escape from the island in February 1815 and return to France, with the sole aim of regaining power. This was the beginning of the period known as the “Hundred Days”.
He landed fresh on 1 March 1815 at Golfe Juan, and then set off, accompanied by 1,200 men, towards the French capital. On his way he passed through several villages and towns in Provence (Grasse, Cannes, Castellane, Digne, etc.) before reaching the Alps (Sisteron, Gap).
On his way, Napoleon was joined by many volunteers and supporters of his reconquest. On 7 March 1815, he finally encountered the royal troops who were supposed to stop his race towards Paris. But in the end, the soldiers decided to rally behind the emperor and follow him all the way to Paris to give him their support!
Now discover our must-see stops for your motorhome holiday on the Route Napoléon!
The Route Napoléon must-sees in 7 days
🚐📍 Day 1: Golfe Juan – Cannes
Let’s set off for the first day of your Route Napoléon motorhome tour!
🧐 Did you know?
A small seaside resort located between Cannes and Antibes, Vallauris Golfe Juan is the place where Napoleon landed on 1 March 1815 with the aim of regaining power. Every year, the town commemorates this event with historical re-enactments and parades!
After discovering Golfe Juan, head for Cannes, another stop on the Route Napoléon. Today, Cannes is known as a popular holiday destination for public figures. Nonetheless, it remains a pleasant town to discover, with its typical Côte d’Azur beaches and charming little streets.
📸 Places not to be missed
- Golfe Juan beach, where the Emperor landed!
- The Croisette, Cannes’ famous promenade!
- The Palais des festivals de Cannes, where you can put yourself in the shoes of the movie stars!
- The Suquet district (Cannes’ old town) and the Old Port of Cannes, for a stroll!
- The Forville market, to discover the local specialities!
🚍 Where should you park your motorhome?
Parking your motorhome on the Côte d’Azur can be tricky, especially in high season, so we recommend you head for Camping Parc Bellevue Cannes (expect to pay between €36 and €39 per vehicle during the summer season) or Parking Cannes (free).
🚐📍 Day 2 – Grasse
For the second day of this itinerary, we recommend a stop in the town of Grasse, another stage on the Route Napoléon.
🧐 Did you know?
The town of Grasse is world-famous for its role in the perfume industry. In fact, several perfume factories have fields here where they grow their raw materials!
📸 Places not to be missed
- The International Perfumery Museum, a must-see!
- The Old Town and its enchanting narrow streets!
- The little hilltop villages around Grasse (Gourdon,Bar-Sur-Loup, Opio…)!
- The caves of Saint-Cézaire, to keep cool!
🚍 Where should you park your motorhome?
You can go to the Espace Terroirs private area in Grasse, where you can sample local produce! If you’re looking for a free pitch, head to the Grasse Car Park!
🚐📍Day 3 – Castellane
Head for Castellane, a small town at the gateway to the Gorges du Verdon, between the Alps and the Mediterranean.
🧐 Did you know?
Castellane is listed as a “Small Town of Character”, so don’t miss out on a visit to its picturesque streets and monuments!
📸 Places not to be missed
- La Maison Nature et Patrimoines, to discover the riches of the Castellane area
- Lake of Castillou, where you can cool off!
- The Chapelle de Notre-Dame du Roc, for an incredible panorama
- And finally, the famous Gorges du Verdon, if you have time to extend your getaway!
🚍 Where should you park your motorhome?
We recommend parking at the Service area of Castellane (count €9 for 24H), highly rated by the CaraMaps community of travellers and ideally located for visiting Castellane town centre! For free parking, you can park at Castellane Spot.
🚐📍Day 4: Digne les Bains
Head for the capital of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department, Digne-les-Bains, for your fourth day on the Route Napoléon!
🧐 Did you know?
Digne-les-Bains has been renowned since ancient times for its thermal baths and is the historic capital of Lavender!
📸 Places not to be missed
- The ammonite slab, to admire an impressive variety of ammonite fossils!
- The Lavender Museum, a must-see in the town!
- The UNESCO GeoPark, for its historical, natural and geological heritage!
- The Maison de produit, if you like local produce!
Don’t forget to see the plaque commemorating Napoleon’s visit to Digne on 4 March 1815, on the façade of the former Hôtel du Petit Paris.
🚍 Where should you park your motorhome?
You can park at Camping Les Eaux Chaudes (between 27 and 30 euros a night for a two-person vehicle) , located right in the mountains and with shady pitches! If you prefer a free pitch, head for the Digne-les-Bains car park!
🚐📍Day 5: Sisteron
🧐 Did you know?
The town of Sisteron has a strong cultural influence, which has earned it the “Ville et métiers d’art” label. Numerous art galleries and workshops can be found in the streets of the town, with exhibitions of all kinds!
📸 Places not to be missed
- The Sisteron Citadel, a listed historic monument
- Notre-Dame-des-Pommiers Cathedral, a must-see monument!
- The Rocher de la Baume, for sensational views!
- The Gorges de la Méjuge, if you’ve got time for a little diversions that’s 100% nature!
🚍 Where should you park your motorhome?
Head to Camping Les Prés Hauts for a well-deserved break! It offers access to all the services your motorhome needs, as well as spaces ideally located under the trees! You can expect to pay between €30 and €35 per night for a pitch with water and electricity. For a free space, you can go to Sisteron Parking!
🚐📍Day 6: Gap
We head for the Hautes-Alpes, to the town of Gap, where we continue our magnificent route along the Route Napoléon.
🧐 Did you know?
Gap region is ideal for outdoor sports. Around twenty kilometres from the town of Gap is the mountain of Céüse, world-famous for its climbing routes, one of which is among the most difficult in the world!
📸 Places not to be missed
- The Castel of Tallard, for an incomparable historical moment!
- Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Arnoux Cathedral, for its impressive architecture!
- The Domaine de Charance, at the heart of an exceptional panorama!
- The Ecrins National Park, where you can recharge your batteries in the heart of nature!
And, of course, a whole host of walks in the Alps around Gap!
🚍 Where should you park your motorhome?
We recommend the free service area at Fontreynes, where you can empty your motorhome and have access to nearby shops. If you’re looking for more comfort, you can stay at Camping le Napoléon (between €20 and €25 for a pitch with electricity in high season).
🚐📍Day 7: Grenoble
The final stop on our itinerary: the city of Grenoble! This is the most important stage of the Route Napoléon, as it was here that the famous route came to an end on 7 March 1815. It was also in Grenoble that Napoleon decided to re-establish his imperial power by decree.
🧐 Did you know?
Grenoble is considered to be the “capital of the Alps” as it is the metropolis with the most inhabitants in this region.
📸 Places not to be missed
- The Grenoble Bastille cable car, nicknamed “Les Bulles”(the bubbles) because of its very special-shaped cabins!
- The Fort of Bastille, overlooking Grenoble!
- The Saint-Laurent footbridge, the city’s landmark!
- The Museum of the Resistance and Deportation, a true place of remembrance!
- The Lake Monteynard-Avignonet
🚍 Where should you park your motorhome?
When visiting Grenoble, don’t hesitate to visit Camping Caravaning Les Trois Pucelles, located in a pleasant setting, surrounded by greenery. In high season, the price is around €25 per night for two people on a pitch with electricity, and you can also park for free at the Seyssinet-Pariset car park, which gives access to hiking trails!
Check out here our special Route Napoléon itinerary, which includes all the spots listed for your trip!
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