Page 149 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - France

DRIVE 13: Valleys and Mountains 147

PLAN YOUR DRIVE
Start/finish: Villard-de-Lans to
Clelles-en-Trièves.
Number of days: 4–5, allowing at
least a day in the Parc du Vercors area
and another day in the Trièves.
Distance: 210 km (130 miles).
Road conditions: There is a risk of
rockfall on the mountain roads through
the Gorges de la Borne and along the
Alpine passes, Col de Menée and Col
de Grimone. Some of the roads have
Above Rolling fields of the Clelles countryside, see p153
hairpin bends. Cliff-faces are con tained
along some stretches with rock nets.
Vif
Following a series of rockfalls in the
0 kilometres 5
gorge, the authorities decided to
Le Gua 0 miles 5 embark on a long-term maintenance
scheme. Currently the plan necessi tates
the road to be closed during certain
times of the year. Please contact Bison
Futé for details (see p18).
St-Théoffrey
Miribel-
Lanchâtre When to go: For spring flowers visit
Gresse from May to June; go July to August
Avignonet Pierre- for long hot summer days. Autumn is
Châtel
Nantes- good for the colours; and winters are
en-Ratier
St-Paul-lès- Drac great for winter sports (don’t forget
Monestier snow tyres or chains).
Roucac Susville
Le Sénépy La Mure Siévoz Valbonnais Opening hours: Sights are generally
Monestier- 1,769 m open from 10am to 5pm. National
de-Clermont Bonne
Ponsonnas
museums and sights are closed on
Prunières Mondays and public holidays. Check
Roissard St-Pierre-de-Méaroz
with the tourist office before visiting.
St-Michel-
les-Portes ISÈRE
Main market days: Villard-de-Lans:
St-Jean-
Drac
Lavars d'Hérans St-Sébastien Ste-Luce Wed, Sun; La Chapelle-en-Vercors:
St-Martin- Thu; Mens: Wed (Jul–Aug), Sat.
Ebron
de-Clelles Cornillon-
en-trièves Cordéac LAC DU
SAUTET Shopping: Take home local and farm
Sandon
CLELLES-EN- MENS La Croix-de-la-Pigne Corps produce of the Vercors: cheeses, cured
TRIÈVES l‘Aiguille Las Moras meats, walnuts, jams and wine.
Le Monestier- TERRE 2,037 m Pellafol
Les du-Percy VIVANTE St-Baudille- Major festivals: Saint-Martin-en-
Blancs et-Pipet
Prebois Vercors: Fête du Tilleul, first weekend
La Posterle
Tête de l’Obiou of Aug; La Chapelle-en-Vercors: Fête
St-Maurice- 2,789 m
Ebron
Col de en-Trièves Mt de Ménis Souloise du Bleu, Aug; Die: Velorizons
Menée 1,514m
Lalley Tréminis SOURCES DES Mountain-Bike Festival, Jun.
Mt Barral Le Château- GILLARDES
1,903 m Bas Tête de l'Aupet
2,627 m St-Disdier
Rognon DAYTRIP OPTIONS
Mgne de Jocou 1,851 m
2,051 m Grand Ferrand
Col de la 2,758 m
Mgne de Pinchinet 2,278 m various day trips: Villard-de-Lans
Borne Croix Haute Tête de Lauzon The drive can be broken up into
gardening enthusiasts should head
Grimone Lunel Buëch offers family-friendly skiing resorts;
Glandage COL DE La Jarjatte to Terre Vivante in Le Trièves; the Lac
GRIMONE
KEY du Sautet provides leisure as well
as adventures for mountain lovers.
Drive route
For details, see p153.