Following the enduring success of our Provencal Adventure, and seduced by the evolving yet persistently captivating landscapes and fascinating way of life as Provence gives way to the Alps proper, we were inspired to complete the route taken by Napoleon, whose famous march from exile in Elba in 1815 took him from Golfe Juan, via Sisteron and Gap, to Grenoble (and thence to Paris … and, coincidentally enough, Waterloo!). The train des pignes, from Nice to Digne, and so-called train des Alpes from Sisteron to Grenoble enable modern-day visitors to discover the sights and scenery of this splendid region in comfort and convenience.
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SISTERON marks the northern limit of Provence, the surrounding hillsides still gentle and the air with an almost Mediterranean fragrance. The town itself, impressively located at a narrow rocky gap where two rivers converge, and dominated by its imposing medieval citadel, delights with its narrow winding alleys, tree-lined squares, fountains and timeworn tiled roofs descending steeply to the river banks, and there is so much to see and do.
Continuing north, the vineyards, olive groves and rows of lavender typical of Provence gradually give way to orchards and fields of sunflowers and by the time you reach GAP, known as the Pearl of the Hautes Alpes, the landscapes are already more ruggedly Alpine. There you will enjoy wandering the warren of pedestrian streets in the old town, and the views from Puymaure hill.
You then travel quite steeply at times through the constantly changing scenery of the Vercors National Park, a protected wilderness of Alpine meadows, pine forests, mountains, valleys and deep, narrow gorges. Small towns such as CLELLES, on the high Trieves plateau, offer superb vews of the Mont Aiguille peak.
GRENOBLE, home to the Winter Olympics in 1968, is the capital of the French Alps and ancient province of Dauphine, a vibrant modern city with a rich historical legacy evident in the palaces, museums and squares of the old town. It enjoys a magnificent location by the banks of the Isere river, surrounded on all sides by the Chartreuse and Vercors massifs. The lively heart of the city beats around the pavement cafes of the Place de la Grenette, while the ancient fortifications of the Bastille, accessible by cable-car, look down over the city and offer breathtaking panoramic views of the rooftops and surrounding mountains.
Accommodation is in small, often family-run 2 and 3-star hotels, conveniently located and valued both for their comfort and warmth of welcome. The itinerary can be modified in accordance with individual wishes (please ask for prices)
Stage 1:
Arrival at your hotel in Nice, overnight on B & B
Stage 2:
From Nice to Digne by the scenic train des pignes, then on to Sisteron by bus (pay locally, fare 4 euros per person) or taxi. 2 nights in Sisteron on half-board
Stage 3:
From Sisteron to Gap, overnight on half board. The hotel has a swimming pool.
Stage 4:
From Gap to Clelles and overnight on half board. The hotel has a swimming pool.
Stage 5:
Clelles to Grenoble, 2-night stay on b & b
Stage 6:
Return home via Paris.