Great Alpine Road Driving Route

France is well known for its spoil of riches but the Great Alpine Road is one of the most spectacular. This route stretches 684 Km from Thonon-les-Bains to the southern coastal town of Menton. Packed with breathtaking views, crystal lakes, and secluded valleys, ‘La Route des Grandes Alpes’ is a great option for a motorhome road trip.

Exploring this route in a motorhome, campervan or RV gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace without worrying about set schedules. If you find the perfect spot, simply park up and spend the night!

Here is our 10-day Great Alpine Road guide with driving routes and activity ideas. The route is open from June to October and is signposted with large brown panels in both directions.

About France Motorhome Hire

France Motorhome Hire is located just 125 kms south of Paris. We offer five different vehicle types to perfectly match your trip needs, whether you are a couple, friends travelling together or family of six.

If you have never thought of hiring a campervan or motorhome before, having your transport and accommodation in one puts you in control of your own trip. Enjoy the freedom to travel at your leisure, deviate from well-trodden tourist paths (or even your own plan!), seek out hidden gems and experience the authentic culture of France.

France Motorhome Hire has a proven track of delivering motorhome holidays since our launch in 2009. If you decide to take a trip along the Great Alpine Route, you will be in safe hands with us.

Days 1&2 – Lake Geneva

Head South-East from the France Motorhome Hire Depot to the spectacular Lake Geneva (Lac Léman). It is approximately a 5-hour drive so feel free to make a stop or two en-route. Simply step out from behind the wheel into your onboard kitchen and put the kettle on!

After taking the scenery, why not visit the medieval ‘Old Town’ with St Peter’s Cathedral and get a panoramic view of the city?

Day 3 – Albertville

Every location on this route is stunning and Albvertville is no different. Albvertville is small commune nicknamed the “Town of art and history” with three weekly morning markets.  Stop off in the area on Wednesdays, Thursdays or Saturdays and stock up your campervan.

Every France Motorhome Hire vehicle comes with a built-in gas hob, kitchen box and kettle, so make sure to prepare an evening meal of the finest local french food with the Alps as your backdrop!

Day 4 – Col d’Izoard

The Col d’Izoard pass is a section of road for driving purists and its forbidding landscapes and winding roads make for a thrilling drive. All our hire RVs are the latest models and pack plenty of horse-power to tour this remarkable route.

This stretch of road often appears on the Tour de France route. If you are feeling adventurous, unhook the bikes from your bike rack at the rear of your campervan and get emulating the champions!

Day 5&6 – Mercantour National Park

There is no end to incredible views on along the Great Alpine Road! Merantour National park has 600 km of marked footpaths and several lakes including Allos, Lauzanier, Vens and Morgon which offer excellent access to the outdoors and scenery worth stopping off for! Lace up your walking boots and head out exploring. After working up a sweat during the day, head back to your motorhome and enjoy a refreshing shower in the onboard bathroom before settling down for the night.

If you are enjoying the wilderness, Merantour National Park is a great place to add an additional few nights to your motorhome holiday. For those who crave the fame of the seaside towns along the French Riveria, the city of Nice and civilisation is less than 100Km away.

Day 7&8 – Nice

The beauty of visiting France is that is has it all. One minute you’re driving the mountain roads of the Alps, next you’re enjoying the sights and sounds of the French Riviera.

Nice is packed with museums and art galleries. Plus, if you fancy a break from cooking, enjoy some of the country’s finest gourment restaurants.

Day 9 – Avignon

As you make your way back up towards the depot you come across Avignon, famous for its lavender cultivation and distilleries. Take a guided tour of the city’s narrow winding streets, monuments and museums.

As campervans become an ever more popular option for travellers, the facilities to support them also grow. Thousands of private individuals will now happily welcome you to stay overnight on their amazing properties. 

One of these is on the grounds of the stunning Crouzas Estate in Chamborigaud. It wouldn’t be a France trip without a chateaux now, would it?

Day 10 – Mâcon

The final stop on the route back to the France Motorhome hire depot is the charming city of Mâcon, famous for its vineyards and excellent red, white and rosé wines. Here, there are a host of wine cellars and producers you can visit. Staff are always welcoming and on-hand to help you find your perfect match.

With on-board accommodation in your motorhome, there’s will be no need to drive if you end up enjoying your wine a little too much!

Explore on Google Maps

Enjoy this route with us

Hopefully, we have wet your appetite to explore the Great Alpine Road route.

France Motorhome Hire have a range of campervan and motorhomes for hire from our depot just south of Paris that enable you to explore the route with freedom and independence. For availability and pricing, get a quote and start planning for an adventure of your own!