Follow the Route Napoléon from Cannes to Grenoble with Hertz
From a glamorous holiday in Cannes to the Alpine grandeur of a holiday in Grenoble, the Route Napoléon is one of the most dramatic and historically rich drives in all of France. Winding through lavender-scented Provence, past ancient citadels and into the breathtaking foothills of the French Alps, this route rewards drivers with spectacular scenery at every turn. Use the Hertz Road Trip Planner to map out your journey for the road ahead.
ROUTE NAPOLÉON, ALPINE DRIVES AND FRANCE ROAD TRIP INSPIRATION
Trace the path of history from the Riviera to the Alps, discovering medieval citadels, mountain parks and fragrant Provençal towns with your favourite rental car
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Route Napoléon
Cannes - Grenoble
On his return from exile on Elba in 1815, Napoléon Bonaparte marched along this incredible route, assembling an army as he went with the aim of overthrowing Louis XVIII. Opened in 1932, the Route Napoléon is a spectacular journey that will whisk you from the turquoise waters of the Côte d'Azur to Grenoble, passing through the foothills of the Alps along winding mountain roads that serve up dramatic views at every turn.
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Stop 1: Promenade de la Croisette 1/12
Promenade de la Croisette is the main thoroughfare in Cannes and while the city itself isn’t on the official Route Napoléon, which is signposted by statues of the French Imperial Eagle, plaques and monuments, this sun-kissed boulevard is too luxurious to miss. Boutiques, restaurants and glamorous hotels line one side, with beaches and the azure Mediterranean Sea on the other. Stroll along the spacious walkway, following in the footsteps of international stars who jet in for the prestigious Cannes Film Festival every year. When night falls, enjoy a waterfront dinner beneath the stars.
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Stop 2: The Castle Museum 2/12
Minutes away from the coastal resort of Golfe-Juan – where Napoleon embarked on his triumphant march – is the small community of Vallauris with its rustic castle. Once a priory, today it serves as a ceramics museum, as well as showcasing the works of Italian painter Alberto Magnelli and hosting the National Picasso Museum. The ceramics on display include evocative pieces from the Art Nouveau and Art Deco movements, while Magnelli’s abstract paintings from the first half of the 20th century are the perfect foil for Picasso’s War and Peace composition.
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Stop 3: The Museum of Perfumes 3/12
Never mind your sat nav, let your nose lead you to Grasse, considered the world capital of perfumes. The industry has thrived here since the 1700s – today, the town continues to make most of the aromas for perfumes in France as well as training parfumiers. Learn the sweet scent of the trade with a guided tour of the historic Fragonard factory, or head to the world-renowned International Perfume Museum (MIP) to wander through centuries of sensory history and see vintage equipment. You can even book an exclusive workshop to blend your own signature fragrance in the perfume capital.
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Stop 4: Barrême and the Lavender Distillery 4/12
Tucked directly along the Route Napoléon, the quiet village of Barrême holds a proud place in French history. It was here, in a local home that still bears a commemorative plaque, that Napoleon Bonaparte spent his third night after returning from exile. Beyond its imperial connections, Barrême was once a thriving capital of lavender distillation. Visit the restored historic Lavender Distillery museum to learn how the fragrant blue flower shaped the region's economy, and enjoy a peaceful stroll along the Asse River.
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Stop 5: Notre-Dame du Roc 5/12
The pretty village of Castellane is notable for two things. Firstly, Napoleon and his swelling ranks of followers passed through here on their famous march more than two centuries ago. Secondly, the Chapelle Notre-Dame Du Roc, the tiny but treasured church that perches on a rock pillar rising some 600 feet above the town. The present church is mostly 18th century, although there’s evidence of a place of worship here dating back to the 9th. Park in town and tackle the climb on foot – it’s worth it for the views.
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Stop 6: Saint Jerome Cathedral 6/12
This ancient town is where the Romans once came to bathe – hence the name Digne-Les-Bains – and is also well-versed in fragrant lavender production. Architectural highlights include the 13th century Romanesque Notre-Dame-du-Bourg, though this is outshone by the later Saint Jerome Cathedral. The bishops ordered its construction in 1490, but constant tinkering and additions mean that much of what you see today is from the late 19th century. It’s a national historical monument and open every afternoon for visitors.
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Stop 7: Citadelle des Sisteron 7/12
Sisteron is a quaint town that has earned itself the nickname of the ‘Pearl of Upper Provence’. That’s partly down to the narrow old streets and the stone bridge that arches over the Durance river. But dominating the town is the citadel, sitting on the site of an earlier Roman settlement. While it has been restored since suffering damage in World War Two, there are still elements of the 11th-century original as well as a Napoleon museum that commemorates his journey through here.
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Stop 8: Parc National des Ecrins 8/12
A brief diversion from the Route Napoléon proper, Parc National des Ecrins is one of France’s most majestic places. This is the country’s second biggest national park, encompassing the communes of Gap, Briancon and Bourg d’Oisans in its rustic, green lands. The mountain range boasts more than 100 peaks, as well as dozens of sparkling glaciers and lush alpine meadows. Leave the car nearby and explore the sprawling hiking trails which cater for all abilities to breathe in that fresh Alpine air.
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Stop 9: Laffrey Lake 9/12
After passing over Col Bayard, through Corps and La Mure, you will reach the plateau of Laffrey and its four serene lakes. While Lac de Laffrey is perfect for hiring a sailboat, paddling, or enjoying a waterfront picnic, this spot holds incredible historical weight. Just on the lake's edge lies the Prairie de la Rencontre (Meadow of the Meeting). It was here on March 7, 1815, that Napoleon stood unarmed and faced the royalist soldiers sent to arrest him. Famously opening his coat, he declared: 'If there is any soldier among you who wants to kill his Emperor, here I am.' The troops broke into cheers of 'Vive l'Empereur!' and defected to his side on the spot.
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Stop 10: La Mure & Le Petit Train de la Mure 10/12
Break up your drive right on the N85 by stopping in the historic mining town of La Mure. Here, you can step aboard the Petit Train de la Mure, a historic electric railway line over 130 years old. Having spectacularly reopened to travelers after an eleven-year hiatus, this scenic train journey hugs the mountainside, offering breathtaking panoramic views over the turquoise waters of the Montagnard reservoir and the dramatic Drac Valley. It’s an unforgettable way to experience the high-altitude beauty of the region without taking a massive driving detour.
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Stop 11: Chateau de Vizille 11/12
Sitting to the south-east of Grenoble, the picture-perfect Chateau de Vizille played a significant role in French history. Admire the splendour of the construction, the ornamental lake and landscaped gardens, and treat the kids to an afternoon in the animal park where deer, stags and peacocks roam free. Inside, the Museum of the French Revolution charts the late 18th century meeting that took place here – the Assembly of Vizille – which is considered to have been one of the first acts of the uprising.
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Stop 12: Musée de Grenoble 12/12
With its Alpine backdrop and the flowing Isere river, Grenoble is arguably the prettiest of all the French cities – and it’s here that Napoléon’s epic journey drew to a close before his triumphant return to Paris. The Grenoble Museum collects some eight centuries of art history under one roof. Wander past Rubens and Delacroix before being pulled into the modern age by Picasso, Warhol and Matisse.
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