Route Napoléon: Grasse to Gap

The Route Napoléon is one of the most famous historic roads in France and one of the most complete motorcycle routes in the southeast. It follows the exact path that Napoleon Bonaparte traveled in March 1815, when he landed at Golfe-Juan (near Cannes) with a small army and marched north to reclaim power in Paris during the famous Hundred Days. The current road (N85) is marked by "Aigles impériales" — golden eagles indicating each stage of Napoleon's journey — and offers more than 300 km of winding road between the Côte d'Azur and the Alps.

The most interesting stretch for riders runs from Grasse to Gap, crossing the Alpes de Haute-Provence. Grasse is the perfume capital of the world: over 60% of the fragrances from the great French houses (Chanel, Dior, Guerlain) are made here, and visiting one of the historic perfumeries (Fragonard, Molinard, Galimard) is a unique sensory experience. From Grasse the road climbs quickly toward Castellane, threading through the first foothills of the Alps with sweeping bends and flawless tarmac.

Between Castellane and Digne-les-Bains the route crosses the heart of the Alpes de Haute-Provence: a landscape of blue-tinged mountains, lavender fields (in June-July), deep valleys, and remote Provençal villages. Digne-les-Bains is a delightful surprise: it is the French capital of lavender (Fête de la Lavande every August) and home to one of the most fascinating geological reserves in France, with giant ammonite fossils open to the public.

From Digne to Gap the route becomes more alpine: the scenery shifts from Mediterranean Provence to the southern Alps, with snow on the peaks, high-altitude meadows, and villages whose architecture is Savoyard rather than Provençal. Gap, the endpoint of this stretch, is the capital of the Hautes-Alpes and one of the sunniest cities in France (300 days of sunshine a year) — a perfect base for exploring the Écrins massif or continuing northward.

Rider tips: the Route Napoléon is accessible virtually year-round on the Grasse-Gap section, though minor passes can be icy in winter. The optimal season is April to October. Fuel up in Grasse, Castellane, Digne, or Gap. For dining, in Castellane the Hôtel du Commerce serves honest Provençal cooking, and in Digne the restaurant Le Grand Paris offers a lavender-infused tasting menu. And a tip: the N85 is signposted with Napoleonic eagles — following them is the best way not to get lost and to feel like part of history.