Minis to Monte

23rd September - 29th September 2006

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Route Overview

Day One - Le Havre to Rennes.

An easy day to start, off the ferry, over the Pont de Normandie and through Pont l'Eveque to Lisieux. This is where we pick up the route of the 1966 Monte Carlo.  Then a combination of "D" roads to Falaise where there is a statue of William the Conqueror in the main square (or "William the Bastard" as he was renamed by the ladies at Bayeux after finding out that the enormous tapestry ordered by him had been sized in centimeters - not inches and would not fit in his living room). Then through Flers to Domfront where there is a spectacular view out across the plain from the castle walls. Another selection of country roads through Gorron, Fougeres and Vitre where we join the main road to Rennes. The hotel is situated on the south side of the town and for those who have not had enough driving there is a route in the road book to the Motor Museum and circuit at Loheac.

Day Two - Rennes to Limoges

Another day in the pleasant Normandy countryside, leave the  hotel and drive through Janze, by pass Pouance, Segre, le Lion d'Angers, Angers, Doue, Montreuil-Bellay, Loudon, round Poitiers, Mazerolles, Lussac, Bellac and into Limoges. The car park is under the main square in front of the Mercure Hotel and is closed from 9.00pm until 7.00am.  There are plenty of good restaurants within easy walking distance of the hotel which is in the old town. (See note below before ordering that extra bottle of wine)

Day Three - Limoges to Avignon

In order to get down to the really good driving country we are going to have to get an early start today so the first section to Tulle is down the A20 - E9 / A89 - E70 Autoroute but the scenery does improve once past Tulle. The route then passes through Argentat, Aurillac, Entraygues (worth a photo stop), along the Gorges du Lot, (Spectacular), through Espalion to Laissac where we divert from the Monte Route on to the N88 / A75 - E11 Autoroute in order to pass over the British designed Millau bridge. (Best to take photographs on the approaches, there is a visitor centre but it is a long diversion). We turn off the Autoroute at junction 48 and pass through Alzon, Le Vigan, Ganges, Sauve and join the A9 - E15 Autoroute for the run into Avignon. Follow the N100 anti clockwise around the old city walls until you see a Parking sign for the "Palais des Papes". This underground car park is within two minutes walk (Once at ground level) from either of the two Mercure Hotels. Apparently there is a convention in town that week so we have had to use two hotels but they are of equal standing and again there are plenty of good restaurants in the old town.

Day Four - Avignon to Nice

An easier day today, with a lot of spectacular scenery and driving experiences. Out of Avignon, through Carpentras to Malaucene and up over Mont Ventoux. There is a cafe / shop at the summit and about one kilometer down the other side is the Tom Simpson Memorial, which has turned into a shrine for cyclists who have ridden up the mountain. Then through Sault, Banon, St Michel to Manosque, Greoux les Bains, Riez and just after Moustiers we take the upper road. Look out for the signs to the Point Sublime. There is a car park on the right and a short walk ends up with some spectacular views (Don't forget the camera). Then through Castellane with its chapel built on a pinnacle of rock, down the N85 and then through Andon, Greolieres, Coursegoules and down through Carros, across the bridge and left up the N202 to our hotel at Castagniers.

Day Five - Nice to Gap

A choice of route at the start of the day - either out of the hotel and through some wonderful driving roads through Contes, l'Escarene, Sospel and over the Col du Turini to la Bollene Vesubie or for those who have had enough of hairpins and sheer drops go up the N202 and turn off up the Gorges de la Vesubie to rejoin the route at la Bollene Vesubie. Then through St Martin Vesubie, Rimplas, Beuil and down through the Gorges Supres du Clans to Puget Theniers and back on the N202 to Barreme where we turn right on to the N85 to Digne les Bains. After Digne it is up the D900 through Seyne to the Lac de Serre Poncon and left towards Gap. The last short diversion takes us over the Col de la Sentinelle and down into Gap. The Hotel Carina we are stopping at is a Logis on the Veynes side of Gap, a bit out of the town, but the locals eat there!

Day Six - Gap to Chambery

Out on the D994 to Veynes, then right on to the D994b and over the Col de Grimone 1318m, through Die, over the Col de Rousset 1467m, past the Memorial de la Resistance, over the Col de Lachau 1337m, and definitely make a stop at the Cirque de la Combe Laval (If you don't suffer from vertigo!), through the Gorges de la Bourne and through Grenoble where you will enjoy getting thoroughly lost. Over the Col de Porte 1326m, Col du Cucheron 1139m and the Col du Granier before dropping down into Chambery and the finish.