Col d'Izoard France

Travelled:57km from Risoul
Visited: Col d'Izoard, Briancon
Stay:Briancon-free large parking with paid services GPS N44°53.418' E6°37.767'

"It's raining again".... so as the internet was still not working, after our morning coffee we rolled down the mountain and found a parking spot in Guillestre. Mark was very happy to sit out the storm listening to the mighty Bombers bring it home against the Dogs. A close one! We also skyped with our friends Bob and Robyn, who we meet up with in a weeks time.
The weather cleared up a bit, so off we went on the route the Tour de France took yesterday, but in reverse. What a lovely drive it was. Firstly we drove along the narrow road through the Gorges du Guil. 

Then followed the river through the Combe du Queyras. On the way we stopped to chat to Allison and Jason whom we met yesterday, they are cycling in Europe for 3 months. They had an incredible days ride ahead of them. Thank goodness for Bluey, we couldn't do it on bikes...incredible fitness these people have. 

We then drove through a beautiful valley before climbing up to the iconic Col d'Izoard at 2360m. 

Just before we reached the Col we stopped to admire the barren scree slopes with protruding pinnacles of weathered rock, an area known as Casse Deserte. 

At the col we walked up to the lookout to both valleys. 

Then it was downhill 

all the way to Briançon at 1326m and is the highest city (more than 2,000 inhabitants) in the EU! The historical centre is a fortified town built by Vauban (a military engineer of King Louis XIV).
We waited out the rain before walking up to stroll through the steep cobbled streets and rewarded ourselves with a local beer. Unfortunately the clouds started to rumble so we scrambled down the hill and made it to Bluey without getting too wet and before the hail and lightening!