Italy into France

Travelled:100km
Visited: Col du Mont Cenis, Lanslebourg, Bonneval, Col de l'Iseran
Stay: 2km from Val d'Isère-parking area with toilets GPS N45°27.2802' E7°2.2680'

After having a chat with Tom and Claire, we decided to go over the Cols as the weather was looking clear. We were not disappointed, we had a beautiful day.
Just before we reached the Col du Mont Cenis 2084m we stopped to admire the beautiful lake. 

We visited the museum which explained the history of the area. 

During the Second Punic War (218-203BC) it is believed that Hannibal marched his army and 37 elephants from Tunisia over the Alps here to fight the Romans. 

It was also an important invasion route for Napolean I in 1810. 

Of course now it is the tourists and cyclists that invade the area. We had a look at the Alpine Garden before parking along the lake to have some lunch. 

Adeilwiess!

We then had a bit of an explore along the shore 

before driving over the col 

and down to the ski resort town of Lanslebourg. After a walk along the main street looking at the shops and the stalls of the brocante (flea market),

 we drove to the next pretty village of Bonneval. It has been selected as one of the 'most beautiful villages of France' due to its lovely stone cottages/chalets. 

From here it was up to the Col d'Isèran 2764m and we would rate this as one of the best col drives we have done. It was very picturesque with snowcapped mountains and steep valleys. 

We did the obligatory stroll around at the top, but it was very cold and windy. 

So down we came towards Val d'Isère, at about 2km from town we spotted a parking area next to a mountain stream and decided not to venture into town tonight.