France, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence to Alpes-Maritimes, France
Sweeping historic highway tracing Napoleon's 1815 march through lavender country and pine ridges.
Length
72 km
In miles
44.7 mi
Driving time
1 hr 48 min
Atlas rating
8.8 / 10
The run
Digne-les-Bains to Grasse, following the N85. Drive it in either direction, though the views usually favour the climb.
Season
Open year round in normal conditions, with the usual care after rain or frost.
Checked by the Drivers Atlas desk
Scored and written by the Drivers Atlas editorial desk, drawing on driven routes across the UK and Europe, mapping data and member road reports. Every road in the library carries a driving and scenery score set by the same method. How we score roads.
Last reviewed 23 April 2026
Nearby
31 km away
Route des Cretes, Verdon
A vertiginous loop skimming the canyon rim with balcony viewpoints at every bend.
33 km away
Gorges du Verdon, Corniche Sublime
Cliff hugging ledge road staring straight down into Europe's grandest limestone canyon.
41 km away
Col de la Cayolle
A quiet pastoral pass with a gorge finale through the narrow Gorges du Bachelard.
43 km away
Col de la Bonette
A looping summit road above 2800 metres that circles the peak itself for maximum theatre.
59 km away
Corniche de l'Esterel
Red volcanic rock plunges into azure sea along this coastal corniche below the Esterel massif.
62 km away
Col de Turini
Legendary Monte Carlo Rally stage stitching together forested hairpins above the Roya valley.
Plan around it
Longer journeys