Day 87 Thursday 30 July 2026
Unfortunately the hot weather has returned to France and so today was more about seeking a spot in the higher altitude as we make our way north. We picked a spot we had been to before in 2024, Chamrousse.
After a peaceful sleep, we had a walk around the lovely ski resort of La Joue du Loup which prides itself in mainly having timber chalets. The baguette and pastries we bought at the boulangerie for breakfast were one of the best we gave had.
On the way down we had amazing views of the escarpments (drove the opposite way in 2024).
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| First straight road we have driven in for awhile |
We stopped at the Barrage du Sautet (stayed overnight in 2015). It is an impressive 126-meter-high arch-gravity dam that is holding back the Drac River to form the 350-hectare Lake Sautet. Built between 1930 and 1935.
After a walk around we continued our journey along the N85.
We stopped at a lookout onto the Lac de Laffrey that commemorated a musician.
Part of the drive was along the Route de Napoleon, which is a famous 325km scenic and historic drive that traces the path taken by Napoleon Bonaparte in March 1815 upon his return from exile on Elba. It runs northward from Golfe-Juan on the French Riviera to Grenoble in the Alps and marked by distinctive roadside eagle statues. We visited the site where he was confronted by Royal troops to prevent his advance to Paris.
From here we drove through Vizille. Unfortunately the castle was closed so we kept going up towards Chamrousse. Before the summit we found a shady spot to spend a few hours out of the heat.
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| 100km |
