La Route Napoléon

The Route Napoléon

Napoleon, Return from Elba

And the Eagle will fly from steeple to steeple, all the way to the towers of Notre-Dame.

Napoleon I is, without a doubt, one of the most famous figures in the world.
What a meteoric rise in less than 20 years! Endowed with exceptional intellectual abilities, a charismatic and ambitious leader, he changed the face of the political world. After the disastrous Russian campaign and the infamous Battle of the Berezina, the Treaty of Fontainebleau brought his reign to an end, condemning him to exile on the island of Elba with a pension that would never be paid to him, while allowing him to retain his title of emperor.
The unpopularity of the Bourbons and the discord among the Allies encouraged him to attempt an incredible venture.

Landing on March 1, 1815, in Golfe-Juan with about a thousand men, he crossed Provence—a region that was wary, if not outright hostile—all the way to Sisteron, where it could all have come to an end.
The march through the Dauphiné was marked by a series of warm welcomes all the way to Laffrey. There, troops sent by King Louis XVIII were waiting to arrest him. The soldiers relented at the first words of the deposed Emperor and followed him, just as they had on the very first day.
At the gates of Grenoble on March 7, the adventurer became a prince once more, in his own words. He continued on to Paris, joined by many nostalgic and enthusiastic soldiers and by Marshal Ney in Auxerre. He regained power on March 20 for the “Hundred Days,” lasting until June 18, 1815. Defeated at Waterloo and abandoned by the Chamber, he was forced to abdicate once again on June 22, 1815, and was exiled to Saint Helena, where he died on May 5, 1821.

The Route Napoléon, created in 1930, recalls this fantastic epic. It crosses 4 départements: Alpes Maritimes, Var, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Isère.

Numerous documents, guides and books are available from Tourist Offices and bookshops.

Flyer sur la Route Napoléon Route Napoléon en Haute Provence

The Route Napoléon by car

The section of the Route Napoléon from Peyroules to Barrême, passing through Castellane, where the emperor slept, and the Col des Lèques, offers a unique experience following in the footsteps of Napoléon Bonaparte.

For this section, the current road follows the Emperor’s route.

The route is a captivating blend of history and breathtaking scenery. Starting from Peyroules, the road winds through the mountains, offering spectacular views. Castellane, a charming medieval town, enchants visitors with its cobblestone streets and picturesque setting.
Continuing toward the Col des Leques, the landscape rises, revealing enchanting panoramic views of forests and alpine meadows. The historical sites along the way serve as reminders of the region’s significant events.

This adventure offers a journey through the region’s history, culture and natural beauty.

The Route Napoléon on foot or on horseback

The Route Napoléon can be explored both on foot and on horseback.

The “Route Napoléon à pied” trail is a Grande Randonnée (GR®
406) hiking trail that stretches 165 km from Grasse to Sisteron. This route is described in detail in the FFRandonnée guidebook.

The “Route Napoléon à cheval” is a 350-km equestrian trail connecting Grasse
, to Vizille (Isère).
This major equestrian trail crosses four departments.
It is described in a map-and-guidebook and on the website route-napoleon-a-cheval.com

In the Alpes de Haute-Provence region, these routes are common in their entirety, with the exception of a few sectors where a small equestrian variant has been fitted out to avoid tricky sections, and the Volonne – Sisteron sector where the equestrian route passes through the village of Peipin.

For fans of historical walks!

Route Napoléon à pied ou à cheval