Here, everything begins. Under the Mediterranean sun, Napoleon steps onto the sands of the Golfe-Juan. Behind him, exile; ahead, the reconquest.
Today, travelers find the same dazzling azure sky, the scent of salt and maritime pines, and that breath of history rising from the waves.

A symbolic landing at Golfe-Juan: a small bay, plaques marking Napoleon’s arrival, and a soft marine atmosphere. Then the light shifts as you reach Cannes (Croisette, Suquet), Antibes (Fort Carré, harbor), and finally the fragrant charm of Grasse.

What you discover: the contrast of sea → hills, the history of the landing, medieval alleys, and craft workshops.
Signature experience: a private perfume workshop in Grasse (create your own souvenir bottle), followed by a gastronomic Provençal dinner.

Scent of eternity. In the fragrant streets of Grasse, the world’s perfume capital, the air is filled with precious essences.
Here, the journey becomes an ode to the senses, between the elegance of Provençal bastides and the timeless heritage of flowers that perfume memory.

We venture into the hinterland: hilltop villages, garrigue panoramas, and the first ridges of the Pre-Alps. Gourdon, perched high, offers a stunning balcony over the coast. The road descends toward Castellane, a small town at the foot of a monumental rock.

What you discover: craftsmanship, farmers’ markets, breathtaking views, and the intimate theater of Provençal villages.
Signature experience: sunset atop the Roc de Castellane with views over the Verdon.

Castellane, sentinel of the Alps. Nestled in the heart of the mountains, crowned by its perched chapel, the town watches over the Verdon like a high-altitude lighthouse.
It is both a place of passage and of contemplation: the silence of the peaks, the brilliance of the gorges, the echo of the Emperor’s footsteps.

The gorges open into ochre cliffs and turquoise waters; Moustiers, wedged between two cliffs, radiates craftsmanship and sacred silence. Then comes the spa town and the land of lavender.

What you discover: the mineral energy of the Verdon, the delicacy of Moustiers faience, the fragrance of the Valensole Plateau (in season).
Signature experience: a private boat or kayak ride on the Verdon waters, and a faience workshop in Moustiers.

City of waters, city of light. Digne-les-Bains offers its thermal springs as a promise of renewal.
Wandering through Provençal squares and history museums, one feels the harmony between the calm of the mountains and the force of Napoleonic destiny.

A slow-paced day to soak it all in: local market, Lavender Museum, a walk up the Rocher de Neuf Heures, or an easy via ferrata, depending on your mood.

What you discover: the know-how of distillers, peasant traditions, recipes with olive oil and local honey.
Signature experience: private visit to a mill/distillery with an olfactory tasting of different lavenders.

Overnight: same spa-hotel — with a terroir dinner.

Note: Digne is the modern capital of lavender, offering thermal baths and nature trails.

Valley road, arrival in Sisteron, where a spectacular landscape unfolds with its citadel towering above the Durance, a true gateway to the Alps.

What you discover: defensive architecture, shaded alleys, and sweeping views of the “Gateway to the Alps.”
Signature experience: a private guided tour of the Citadel at sunset, followed by dinner beneath the ancient vaults.

Sisteron, the “Pearl of Haute-Provence,” rises proudly opposite the Baume Rock. Its majestic citadel watches over the Durance, an eternal witness to the passage of the Emperor. Here, nature becomes a fortress, and history is carved into the stone.

The road climbs gradually toward Gap, and the atmosphere changes: fresher air, rounded mountains, and open pastures. Along the way, Forcalquier reveals a remarkable Provençal market.

What you discover: mountain cheeses, open fields, small weaving workshops, and honey producers.
Signature experience: lunch with a local producer and a meeting with a cheese artisan.

From Gap, the road climbs gently to the Col Bayard, a historic Alpine pass with sweeping mountain panoramas. Continue toward Embrun, known as the “Nice of the Alps,” with its charming old town and views of the Durance Valley. For a more nature-focused day, opt for a leisurely outing to Lake Serre-Ponçon, one of Europe’s largest artificial lakes, where turquoise waters meet alpine landscapes.

What you discover: Alpine passes, scenic valleys, and the blend of heritage towns with natural beauty.
Signature experience: a private boat tour or picnic on the shores of Lake Serre-Ponçon.

The road to Corps opens onto Lake Sautet, a vast Alpine lake framed by cliffs and a serene horizon. Passing through La Mure and the Matheysine landscapes, the route introduces the ascent toward the Matheysine Plateau.

What you discover: mountain waters perfect for swimming or paddleboarding, small beaches, and photogenic cliffs.
Signature experience: a gentle water activity on Lake Sautet, either by electric boat or paddleboard.

At the gates of Trièves, Corps and La Mure reveal grandiose panoramas. Mirror-like lakes, suspended plateaus, and winding roads create an almost heavenly landscape. Here, the journey takes on a mystical tone, where the soul rises alongside the imperial eagle above the peaks.

Across Matheysine, lakes and plateaus, the road climbs to the Rampe de Laffrey, where a dramatic episode of Napoleon’s return unfolded at the “Prairie de la Rencontre.” Laffrey preserves the emotion of this historic moment.

What you discover: wide landscapes, Napoleonic memory, and open hills offering long vistas.
Signature experience: visit the “Lieu de la Rencontre” with its equestrian statue and historical interpretation, followed by an immersive outdoor reading recounting the event.

Laffrey, the sacred lake of the epic, witnessed the decisive encounter: facing the troops sent to stop him, Napoleon advanced alone, disarming them with his mere presence. Here, travelers feel the grandeur of History amid a silence broken only by the waters and mountains.

The descent leads to the surroundings of Grenoble; if time allows, Vizille and its castle offer a glimpse into revolutionary and cultural history before arriving in Grenoble.

What you discover: parks, museums, and an Alpine city balancing mountains and urban life.
Signature experience: stop at the Château de Vizille (if open), then arrive in Grenoble in the late afternoon for a first stroll along the quays of the Isère.

Grenoble, the “Capital of the Alps,” marks a triumphant gateway on the Route Napoléon. Here, destiny ignites: soldiers rallied, and the myth became irreversible. For travelers, Grenoble offers a grand conclusion with museums, fortresses, and endless panoramas.

A full day in Grenoble: ride the “bubble” cable car to the Bastille, explore museums, stroll through shopping alleys, and enjoy terrace cafés. Grenoble blends cultural dynamism with the gentle allure of the mountains.

What you discover: panoramic Alpine views, museums (Musée de Grenoble, Resistance Museum if desired), and a chic student atmosphere.
Signature experience: cable car ride to the panorama viewpoint for photos, followed by a gastronomic dinner.

Traverse one of the most beautiful mountain ranges: cliffs, gorges, forests, and plateaus. The Vercors offers sculpted roads and sites of historical memory.

What you discover: wild panoramas, stone villages, cheese dairies, and viewpoints.
Signature experience: a gentle guided hike followed by lunch at a farm-inn featuring local terroir specialties.

A full day dedicated to the gastronomic capital of France, Lyon delights the senses with its bouchons, hidden traboules, and world-class culinary experiences. Wander through charming streets and markets, visit museums, and immerse yourself in the rich culinary heritage that has earned Lyon its international reputation. This day is perfect for travelers wishing to end their journey on a gastronomic high, blending tradition, innovation, and the vibrant cultural atmosphere of the city.

Signature experience: dinner in a contemporary bouchon, savoring authentic Lyonnaise cuisine.

Completing the Route Napoléon is to close an epic journey but open a sense of eternity.

In Grenoble, the triumphant gateway of the legend, destiny ignites: soldiers rallied, and History became irreversible.

At the end of this journey, it’s not just landscapes, castles, or memories that remain: it’s a vibration, the spirit of a proud, immense, and immortal France.

The Route Napoléon is more than a road — it is the call of eagles, the breath of the mountains, the memory of a people. It is a heritage engraved in stone and in the heart. It is France in all its splendor: historic, poetic, immortal.