The Route Napoléon is the road between the Riviera and Grenoble that follows the path Napoleon took in 1815 after escaping from Elba, and for travellers from Geneva it is the most characterful way to reach Cannes. From Geneva Airport the route begins via Annecy, 44 km and about 40 minutes away, and Grenoble; with a chauffeur from AirportsTransfers.ch, you can split it over two days and enjoy the history rather than the hairpins.
- What it is: a historic main road from Golfe-Juan near Cannes to Grenoble, marked with eagle emblems
- Main stops: Laffrey, Gap, Sisteron, Digne-les-Bains, Castellane, Grasse
- Driving direction: from Geneva you drive it north to south, the reverse of Napoleon's march
- Time to allow: one full day from Grenoble to Cannes, better with an overnight stop
- Best season: spring to autumn; the higher sections can see snow in winter
The history behind the road
In early 1815, Napoleon left his exile on the island of Elba and landed at Golfe-Juan, between Cannes and Antibes, with a small force. Rather than take the Rhône valley, where royalist sentiment was strong, he struck north through the mountains of Haute-Provence and the Dauphiné towards Grenoble, hoping to rally support along the way. The march began the period known as the Hundred Days, which ended at Waterloo.
The modern road, which broadly follows his route, was officially named the Route Napoléon in the 20th century as a tourist itinerary. Eagle emblems along the way recall his famous prediction that the eagle would fly from steeple to steeple all the way to Paris. Plaques and monuments mark the places where he stopped.
Getting to the start from Geneva
For visitors arriving at Geneva Airport, the natural starting point is Grenoble. The motorway runs via Annecy, Lake Bourget and Chambéry along the Isère valley, a comfortable drive that leaves time for a stop. Grenoble, ringed by mountains, makes a pleasant overnight base, with its cable car to the Bastille fortress and lively old town. Starting from Grenoble the next morning allows the whole route to be driven in daylight.
Northern section: Laffrey to Sisteron
Leaving Grenoble, the road climbs steeply on to the Laffrey plateau and its string of small lakes. Here, at the place known as the Prairie de la Rencontre, Napoleon confronted royal troops sent to stop him and won them over; an equestrian statue marks the spot. The route then crosses the Matheysine and Champsaur valleys and climbs the Col Bayard before dropping into Gap, a lively market town and the gateway to the southern Alps.
South of Gap, the landscape opens up and the light changes. Sisteron, squeezed into a narrow gap where the Durance river cuts through the rock, is dominated by its imposing citadel, from which there are long views up and down the valley. This is traditionally seen as the threshold between the Alps and Provence.
Southern section: Digne, Castellane and Grasse
From Sisteron the road heads to Digne-les-Bains, a spa town surrounded by geological reserves and lavender fields. Beyond it, the route winds through wild, sparsely inhabited country of limestone ridges and pine forests to Castellane, a small town at the foot of a huge rock topped by a chapel. Castellane is the gateway to the Verdon Gorge, a deep turquoise canyon that makes a spectacular and easy detour for anyone with an extra half-day.
Continuing south over a series of cols, the road reaches Grasse, the historic perfume capital, with its old town and perfume museums. From here the descent to the coast is quick: Cannes is just below, and Golfe-Juan, where Napoleon landed, is a short drive along the shore. A small monument there marks the start of the story.
Driving tips
- The road is well surfaced but winding in places; allow more time than the map suggests.
- Fuel stops and villages are sparse between Digne and Grasse.
- In winter, the higher passes may require winter tyres or chains.
- Combine with a stay in Cannes, Nice or Monaco before returning to Geneva or flying home from Nice.
Book the Geneva–Riviera route
To include the Route Napoléon in a trip to the Riviera, book with AirportsTransfers.ch: a one-way transfer from Geneva Airport to Cannes, a two-day itinerary with a night in Grenoble or Sisteron, or a chauffeur by the hour for a slower pace. The price is fixed per vehicle and visible before you pay online by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Your driver meets you in the arrivals hall with a name sign, flight tracked and waiting included if it is late. Child seats are available on request. Questions: +41 78 346 56 77, phone or WhatsApp, open 24/7.
