Grenoble Car Tours: Top 5 Scenic Drives for a Memorable Trip
If you’re thinking of hitting the road in France, Grenoble is actually this fantastic base, almost set perfectly for adventures, and specifically ones involving a vehicle, to be honest. Getting around by car opens up chances to see way more than just the city center. You get the chance to go see places you really might not get to on those typical, you know, tourist routes. I mean, it allows you to see those amazing, sprawling views, get that mountain air, and really kind of soak up that charm you’ll only find, like, way out in the countryside. In a way, picking the right road, it is super important, and that choice sets the whole tone for your trip. So, let’s go over a handful of journeys from Grenoble that promise these unforgettable stories, really, as opposed to just point A to point B.
The Route Napoléon: History and Heights
The Route Napoléon, that’s like following history itself as you cruise, arguably one of France’s more story-filled drives. Think about this: You are tracking that route taken by Napoleon in 1815 when he was making moves to come back from exile on the island of Elba. As a matter of fact, the Grenoble chunk of the route really goes south all the way down to the Côte d’Azur, just packed full of seriously fantastic, panoramic scenes. The views from high up are completely stunning, and you definitely will be wanting to pull over to capture those views, which, actually, make the journey just spectacular. So, you could stop at places just like the Col Bayard. This actually delivers these super wide landscapes, and the Musée Matheysin at La Mure that, in a way, puts into perspective a lot about the area’s background, is, too, totally a move to make.
I remember reading somewhere, a long time ago, a tale about this old historian, that really dedicated himself to tracking down pretty much every milestone and stopping point that could be tied to Napoleon’s travels in this area. And anyway, his passion totally opened my eyes to how incredibly much history is stitched right into that landscape. That specific piece, I mean, in that route. As I was saying, going by car really isn’t about covering land; It’s about feeling every one of those milestones, sort of, personally.
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Gorges de la Bourne: Into the Heart of Vercors
Now, speaking of gorges, the Gorges de la Bourne actually slices through the Vercors Regional Natural Park. The road is a sight; I mean, it’s, actually, chiseled right into the cliffs, which really makes you feel like you’re one with the rock formations. You see, deep gorges. Basically, they lead to the highlands of the Vercors Plateau. If you drive, really watch out for spots to pull off at viewpoints, in some respects, cause these give super picturesque opportunities of the Bourne River, seemingly, slithering through below. And I’m telling you, these dramatic views provide that fantastic opportunity to just, really, breathe that pure air and absorb that, what you call, natural majesty, which is, seemingly, always there. So, think of hitting up Pont-en-Royans, just really a scenic town hanging off the cliff’s edge; really Instagrammable!
Just a couple years back, actually, I was there driving that road when I, sort of, came across this climber seemingly taking on the cliffs right near the road, totally fearless. That kind of encounter brings home just what adventure means in Vercors, sort of making this driving journey both eye-catching and mind-blowing, almost. I mean, so the combination’s definitely powerful. As a matter of fact, that specific moment makes every return trip to Gorges de la Bourne totally worth it!
Read our full review: Gorges de la Bourne Car Tour Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Explore the Gorges)
The Vercors Scenic Loop: A Full Circle of Splendor
If you’re searching for an involved circular scenic road, I’d advise that Vercors gives the Vercors Scenic Loop, truly a comprehensive trip packed with that varied landscapes of the Vercors area. It goes through almost everything; From rough cliffs and really wooded valleys all the way to wide pastures. So, one could allocate one day, actually, really allowing time to meander and halt off, that’s for sure. That’s, in some respects, more critical.
The road visits different must-sees. Spots just like the Combe Laval, this road that sticks to that side of cliffs, basically provides some heart racing panoramas. Too, there is the Maison du Patrimoine in Vercors; You learn so much regarding the regional culture, as a matter of fact, seemingly giving your travels way more than a spin. Last spring, so, I saw someone make a sketch there of just some spot in the cliffs as he was driving. The way he seemed to capture the nuances within minutes just brought into perspective that artistic richness which runs just all over the Vercors. Almost, it’s not only a trip for just the eyes; I’m thinking its like food to one’s creative side, apparently!
Read our full review: Vercors Scenic Loop Car Tour Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Drive the Loop)
Chartreuse Mountains: Serenity Just Beyond Grenoble
Not really that distant to Grenoble are the Chartreuse Mountains, basically providing serene, picturesque drives ideally suited for you if you want peace instead of pure adrenaline. They really are accessible. Chartreuse is different. I would have thought. If I did not go! That, actually, offers calm drives through forestry with glimpses of monastery buildings peeking, too it’s almost, in-between trees. Now, so go to the Grande Chartreuse Monastery, the main Charterhouse of the Carthusian Order.
Just, you need to bear in mind; the actual monastery is almost entirely not accessible; nevertheless, there is this museum close to called the Correrie which informs about its history along with that of monastic life, in general. In some respects, every turn, there presents serene opportunities where you can breathe it all in and see what the area is all about. Seriously, several times I’ve been driving in Chartreuse. Also, you will find these clusters of hikers. What strikes one, arguably, is not just one’s commitment of theirs. It is too their almost mindful way they connect to one another and this environment around them, seeming way beyond what just tourism delivers, potentially adding a certain measure.
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Road to Col de l’Iseran: France’s Highest Paved Road
When its summer months only and assuming weather cooperates? Why do not you travel away just somewhat away from Grenoble to Col de l’Iseran that gets labeled to be France’s top elevated tarmac road. At the risk of hyperbole, one can see high peak panoramas but I am going to be honest-The trip, arguably, could be rough to most people because there are various hairpin bend angles; nevertheless that really gets highly rewarding, and the views become something just totally remarkable just right out there. In fact. This trip puts drivers in contact together high mountains but actually there is very specific mountain environments so you may want, in fact, think over warm attire at minimum!
Too it’s almost five summers since I started communicating back, like, along that area just a single campervan guy who actually transforms one’s tour photos into beautiful post cards so there might just be unique mementos associated one of Europe’s highly picturesque, high passes available just right after doing, as a matter of fact that high adrenaline filled driving day there on Cols de L’Iseran.
Read our full review: Col de l’Iseran Car Tour Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Drive the Col)
In the end, checking Grenoble driving tour plans definitely increases an experience of how a terrain appears along this area which actually goes way beyond what most see when sightseeing inside its city proper given how many great landscapes wait all over there right in Grenoble’s surroundings and any people preparing or perhaps trying to generate unique memories all those vehicle drives that are actually shown will turn those fleeting short-terms moments toward potentially deep story elements to recount sometime after!
