Route Napoleon, Riviera / Côte d'Azur
Follow the path of Napoleon from Elba to Grenoble in 1815
This route has a total of more than 300km, starting in Golfe Juan and finishing at Grenoble. Its course through the French Riviera takes drivers to some of the region's most beautiful towns and countryside.
Napoleon was forced to abdicate in 1814 and exiled to the Mediterranean island of Elba. However, a year later he decided to return to France, disembarking at Golfe Juan on 1st March 1815 with an army of around 1,000 men, beginning the Hundred Days War that ended at Waterloo. In order to avoid the royalist troops camped in Low Provence, he decided to march to Grenoble across the country's interior, moving then onto Paris.
This historical route was designed in 1932 to recreate his journey, although the current roads did not exist at Napoleon's time. It's signalled by statues of the French Imperial Eagle along the way.
It takes drivers on the N85 road, across beautiful countryside in the French Riviera, with spectacular views. You will visit stunning towns such as Vallauris Golfe Juan, where the route begins, Antibes, Cannes, Le Cannet, Mougins and Grasse. It is an intense route with steep descents and climbs and hairpin beds, but its spectacular scenery makes it worth it.
What to see
Sights in Provence
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Musee Nationale de Fernand Leger, near Biot
Located 6.8 km away
A few months before his death in 1955, artist Fernand Léger acquired a farmhouse at the foot of the village of Biot. It was here that his widow Nadia Leger, decided to create a museum to honour him and showcase his life's work.
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Eglise de Biot, Saint Marie Madeleine church, Biot
Located 6.9 km away
Classified as a historic monument this 15th-century catholic church is located in the heart of the village of Biot.
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Parfumerie Molinard, Grasse
Located 15.8 km away
Grasse is the world capital of perfumes. At this museum you can discover the ancient tradition of parfumerie and learn how to create your own, unique scent.
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Cathedrale Notre Dame du Puy, Grasse
Located 15.9 km away
The medieval church of Notre-Dame du Puy was raised to cathedral status in 1244, when the bishop transferred from Antibes to Grasse.
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Provence Art & History Museum, Grasse
Located 16.1 km away
With items from prehistoric times, and fine arts and decorative arts from as early as the 17th century, all the way up to the first half of the 20th century.
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Parfumerie Fragonard, Grasse
Located 16.1 km away
This historic perfume factory is in the heart of the Old Town and is one of the oldest in Grasse, constructed in 1782.
Where to lunch
The beautiful town of Mougins is well-known for its gastronomic restaurants, so it is a great place to stop and enjoy authentic Provençal cuisine. However, you can't go far wrong if you stop at any of the pretty villages along the route, there are plenty of cafés and restaurants to meet your needs.
Depending on the day you travel through you may also catch the local market which offers up the perfect food for a picnic!
Restaurants in Provence
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La Vache a Carreaux Restaurant
Located in Avignon
This small restaurant is on the Rue Peyrollerie, a winding alley just off the Place St Pierre. It is a great option for vegetarians, offering a wide variety of cheese dishes and salads but there are also fish dishes available.
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Mickael Feval Restaurant
This elegant restaurant is a must-visit for any lovers of modern cuisine and cooking methods. They embrace local produce and evolve their dishes according to the seasons.
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L'Epice & Love Restaurant
Located in Avignon
This is a popular place with both locals and travellers. It has a small cosy interior so if you want to dine there, best to get there earlier rather than later.
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L'Atelier de Jean-Luc Rabanel Restaurant
This wonderful contemporary-styled restaurant features dishes that you may never have suspected to have existed.
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La Chassagnette Restaurant
This organic Michelin starred restaurant is situated just 12km outside Arles on the road to Sambuc and is run by the chef Armand Arnal.
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L'Autruche Restaurant
Small restaurant where you will never eat the same thing twice. Their menu is solely based on what good fresh ingredients the local market has to offer in the mornings.
What to do
Things To Do in Provence
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Domaine Le Sagittaire Waterpark, Nyons
In the depths of the Drôme countryside in the French Provence, this 5 Star Residential Campsite comes complete with an entirely heated Aquatic Complex, which is open to the public.
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Aqualand Waterpark, St Cyr Sur Mer
Aqualand in St Cyr Sur Mer offer you 11 wicked slides in a great park environment with drinks, food, and shops for you to enjoy.
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Wave Island Waterpark, Monteux
This huge waterpark covers an area of 4.7 hectares and includes a surf simulator, waterslides and a river feature called river land.
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Nyonsoleiado Waterpark, Nyons
Waterpark complex that contains a lagoon, 25m pool, whirlpool basin, waterslides for children and adults, cascades of water, rivers, paddling pools and much more.
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Aqualand Waterpark, Frejus
With numerous slides, including the King Cobra - unique is western Europe - this is the largest waterpark on the Cote d'Azur! Inludes a rest area, show area, clockroom, fast food, grill and pizzeria, ice creams, drinks, and shop.
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Aqualand Waterpark, Sainte Maxime
This is probably the most family orientated waterpark on the Cote d'Azur. With several friendly slides, a fun pool, food and drinks, ice creams, and shopping all at hand.
Where to stay
Hotels in Provence
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Hotel des Pins, Bedoin
Hotel des Pins has 25 rooms and suites, a restaurant, a terrace, and a garden.
Price: €1,498
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La Bastide des Bourguets B&B, Sault
Perched on a small cliff, this B&B enjoys great views of the village of Sault below.
Price: €1,610
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Le Guintrand Hotel, near Bedoin
This small hotel lies just to the east of Bedoin village in Sainte Colomb, within easy reach of Mont Ventoux.
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La Madelene B&B, Malaucene
This B&B is located between the villages of Malaucene and Entrechaux, near the base of Mont Ventoux.
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Une Sieste en Luberon B&B, Bonnieux
Located a 5-minute walk from the heart of Bonnieux, this charming guest house features 3 comfortable rooms suitable for families as every room has a mezzanine for 2 children.
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Domaine de Pierravon B&B, Bedoin
This fortified farmhouse has been converted into a lovely B&B not far from Bedoin village centre.