This year I decided to spent my holidays in French Alps. I had not been there for a while. My main goal was, to drive some interesting roads. And mid-September is a perfect time of the year to do so: almost no tourists, not too many cyclists, and still good temperatures.
A few years back I made a more or less identical trip to Italy. I assumed then, that by putting my satnav on: Ignore Motorways. I would drive some nice roads. But I was often wrong. The input kept me following the adjacent road next to the Motorway, through ugly Industrial Areas.
To avoid this mistake I took quite some time on Google Maps, used the Michelin road map for France on a scale of 1:200.000 and the Magazin Curves.
To France, i took the eastern route: A2 towards Luxemburg and had my first stop there. Most people do so, because fuel is very cheap in Luxemburg. Needless to say, the gas stations where very busy.
I left the Motorway just south of Nancy. For me, just any road will do.
Even the smallest village still has it's own Mairie. Like here in La Quarte, where I had diner.
But the mayor was not needed at all. The town was well protected by a cranky donkey.
From there to the small town of Poinson-les-Fayl (90 km North of Besancon). I stayed at a lovely Chambres d'hotes: Vieux Chateau Here the owner: Marie-Therese served me a warm welcome with a good glas of wine.
On day 2 of my trip I had no reason to rush. So I avoided the Motorways and enjoyed the country side. I drove a big part of the D470 and the D27 gave the first descent mountain scenery.
Then headed for Lake Annecy, Albertville and then onward to the beautiful town of Brides-les-Brains. In a valley surrounded by impressive mountains, that keep the climate mild.
View from my Hotel de Sources
Daily I headed for clouds that conceal the top of the mountain. I really enjoyed driving the small, winding roads. My car is a bit to big for the smallest roads, but the power of the straigt six never let me need more. Many people say that driving an automatic gearbox, doesn't involve the driver enough. But with the speed I went up and down the Cols, I was happy to keep both hands on the steering wheel.
Crossing the Italian Border, close to the Col de l'Echelle.
Autumn sets in on the mountain tops.
It was a great week. Just focusing on nice driving, enjoying the country. I met really nice and warm people and ate really good food. Lets see what will bring 2016.
