📷 Photo by Fabe collage on UnsplashRoute Napoléon
The road Napoleon took back from Elba, from the Alps down to the Riviera through Sisteron and Grasse.
- Distance
- 289 km (180 mi)
- Driving
- 3 h 60 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 7
- Countries
- France
- Updated
- August 13, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 289 km (180 mi) with 7 stops, from Grenoble to Cannes. About 3 h 60 min of driving in total.
More road trips in France · More road trips from Grenoble
Route description
The Route Napoléon follows, in reverse, the road Napoleon took in 1815 after escaping from Elba. From Grenoble the N85 climbs past Vizille to the Laffrey plateau, where a statue marks the meadow where he met the troops sent to stop him. The long, steep ramp at Laffrey calls for low gears, especially in a heavy vehicle.
The road crosses the Col Bayard before dropping into Gap, then follows the Durance valley south to Sisteron, where a citadel crowns the rock above a narrow gap in the mountains. Further on, Digne-les-Bains is a spa town surrounded by lavender country and a geological reserve with fossil sites near the road.
South of Digne the N85 crosses wilder, emptier hills to Castellane, where a chapel sits on a sheer rock above the town; this is also the gateway to the Gorges du Verdon, a worthwhile detour. The road then winds down through the hills to Grasse, the perfume town, and reaches the sea at Cannes, close to Golfe-Juan, where Napoleon landed.
Late spring and early summer are the best time, with lavender in flower around Digne in July. The passes can see snow in winter, and the section between Castellane and Grasse is winding and slow. The N85 is toll-free, but expect heavy traffic near the coast in summer.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Grenoble
France - 294 km
Gap
France - 352 km
Sisteron
France - 432 km
Digne-les-Bains
France - 544 km
Castellane
France - 649 km
Grasse
France - 717 km
Cannes
France
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Grenoble → Gap · 94 km · 1 h 18 minOvernight nearby, for example: Camping Napoléon (3 km); Parc des Sérigons (13 km).
- Day 2: Gap → Digne-les-Bains · 85 km · 1 h 10 minOn the way: Sisteron.Overnight nearby, for example: Camping Les Eaux Chaudes (1 km); Le Moulin de Thoard (10 km).
- Day 3: Digne-les-Bains → Cannes · 110 km · 1 h 31 minOn the way: Castellane, Grasse.Overnight nearby, for example: Camping Du Pylone (11 km); Camping Vieille Ferme (12 km).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, July–August and November. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- France: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autoroutes; the limit drops to 110 km/h in rain. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
- Grenoble: Low-emission zone (Crit’Air). A Crit’Air sticker is required and older vehicles may be banned. Order the sticker from the official website well in advance.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is Route Napoléon?
3-day road trip of about 289 km (180 mi) with 7 stops, from Grenoble to Cannes. About 3 h 60 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Route Napoléon?
We suggest 3 days: about 3 h 60 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Route Napoléon start and end?
It starts in Grenoble and ends in Cannes.
Which countries does Route Napoléon pass through?
France.
Where can you camp along Route Napoléon?
OpenStreetMap lists 198 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Les 3 Pucelles, Camping Le Vercors and Les Buissonnets.
When is the best time for Route Napoléon?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, July–August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
