Epic Roadtrip 2022: Discovering the French Alps, elzas and Jura regions.
In 2022, we decided it was finally time to tackle a road trip challenge that had been lingering in the back of our minds for years: a journey entirely through France. Somehow, our previous road trips always led us to the Austrian, Swiss, German, and Italian Alps, yet we’d never ventured into the French Alps or their neighbouring regions. It was as if we’d overlooked a hidden gem, distracted by the allure of other landscapes.
But when we finally set our sights on France, we were anything but disappointed. The roads that lay ahead were everything we had hoped for—and more. Winding passes, picturesque mountain villages, and endless stretches of open tarmac awaited. France, with its staggering variety of terrain, didn’t just meet our expectations—it surpassed them. It served as a much-needed reminder that the best journeys are sometimes the ones you’ve never planned, just waiting to surprise you.
Our adventure began at Hotel Restaurant Saigon in Rodalben, Germany. From the outside, it looked like your typical Gasthof, nestled in the heart of the Palatinate Forest. But step inside, and it was a different world altogether. The unexpected Asian theme created a unique contrast to the surrounding forest. And the food? Simply excellent. The perfect fuel to get us in the mood for the miles ahead.
This trip wasn’t just about driving—it was about positioning. Instead of meandering through northern France, where the roads are less inspiring, we cut straight to the chase, heading directly to the good stuff. The route south was all about efficiency—not twisty, winding roads, but a calculated path to ensure we’d wake up to the real roads the next morning.
With the tribe gathered, cars parked, and anticipation building, we called it a night—knowing tomorrow would deliver exactly what we’d come for: pure driving joy.
Day 1 – The Schwarzwald Awakens
The day started in Rodalben, Germany, where the group gathered their machines for the first real taste of the road. The plan was simple: leave behind the transit miles of Day 1 and dive straight into the kind of asphalt that turns a road trip into something more—a journey.
The first highlight of the day was the B48, a road that belongs in every driver’s dream itinerary. Cutting through the Palatinate Forest, it’s an unrelenting stretch of flowing tarmac, built for rhythm. The turns link together in a way that rewards smooth inputs, and when the traffic is light, it becomes a perfect place to settle into the drive.
From there, we continued south to the B500, better known as the Schwarzwaldhochstraße. If the B48 is about flow, the B500 is about drama. This is one of Germany’s most iconic driving roads, snaking along the ridges of the Black Forest with panoramic views stretching for miles. Fast, open sweepers mix with technical sections, constantly playing with elevation and rewarding drivers who commit to the line. It’s no surprise that this road has been a favourite for driving enthusiasts for decades.
The final kilometres of the day led us into the historic town of Thann, France, a gateway to the Vosges Mountains. Our hotel, Hôtel Restaurant Moschenross, was little more than a place to park the cars and rest for the night—there was no dinner to be had. So, we took to the town’s streets, ending the night with some local takeout, eaten under the stars, engines cooling beside us. A proper road trip meal.
Day 2 – Into the Vosges, with a Peugeot Surprise
The day started with a detour before the driving even began—a visit to Musée de l’Aventure Peugeot in Sochaux. What was meant to be a quick stop to see some classic Peugeots turned into something far more surprising. The museum wasn’t just about cars—it was a deep dive into everything Peugeot has built over the years. Bicycles, tools, coffee grinders, even kitchenware. The biggest shock? Almost everyone left with a Peugeot pepper grinder set—an unplanned but strangely fitting road trip souvenir.
With the museum visit behind us, it was finally time to hit the roads we had been waiting for. The Vosges Mountains loomed ahead, and we wasted no time diving into one of France’s greatest driving roads—the legendary Route des Crêtes.
Carved high above the Alsace region, this ridge road is a playground for those who love a proper driving rhythm. Originally built for military purposes in World War I, today it serves a different purpose—delivering perfect tarmac, sweeping curves, and uninterrupted views over the valleys below. It’s a road that rewards commitment, each corner linking into the next in a way that makes you forget about time.
Partway through the morning, the group made an important stop: Hartmannswillerkopf. A place of stark contrast to the adrenaline-fueled driving, this site—also known as Vieil Armand—was one of the most brutal battlefields of World War I. The museum and preserved trenches offer a sobering reminder of the past, standing in stark contrast to the beauty of the surrounding mountains. It was a stop that put everything into perspective.
Back on the road, the journey continued south, dancing through the Col de la Schlucht, a dramatic pass that has long been a favourite for both drivers and motorcyclists. From here, we weaved through Col du Bonhomme and Col de la Grosse Pierre, each offering a different flavour of alpine tarmac.
As the convoy pressed on, the mountains slowly gave way to the rolling foothills of eastern France. The day ended at Auberge de la Rivière · Hôtel Restaurant Haut-Jura, a charming and quintessentially French retreat. A small, inviting hotel with an outstanding restaurant, it was the perfect way to wind down after a day of full-throttle driving and unexpected discoveries.
Day 3 – Climbing to the High Alps
Departing from the Auberge de la Rivière in the Jura region, the morning air carried the promise of big mountain passes and even bigger driving moments. The transition from rolling hills to full alpine scenery happened fast—one moment we were sweeping through forested valleys, the next we were climbing into the clouds.
The first challenge of the day was the Col du Grand Colombier, a brutal yet rewarding ascent with sharp hairpins stacked in quick succession. With little traffic, it was the perfect way to warm up for what was to come.
As the road twisted south, we carved our way past Lac du Bourget, its deep blue waters contrasting against the jagged peaks on the horizon. The Alps were calling. The next target: Col du Télégraphe. Often overshadowed by its bigger brother, this climb was the necessary prelude to one of the most revered roads in Europe—the Col du Galibier.
The Galibier needs no introduction. At 2,642 metres, it is one of the highest paved roads in the Alps, and today, we had it in near-perfect conditions. Crisp air, minimal traffic, and a road that refuses to play fair—it’s steep, narrow in places, and constantly demanding. But the reward? A summit view that leaves you speechless.
The descent into Col du Lautaret was fast and flowing, a contrast to the technical challenge of the Galibier. As we dropped into Le Monêtier-les-Bains, the road opened up into long, sweeping curves—the perfect cool-down lap after a full day of mountain action.
Tonight’s hotel, Hôtel Le Monêtier, was a surprising contrast to our usual stops. More luxurious than expected, it provided a well-earned moment of relaxation after a relentless day of alpine tarmac.
Day 4 – The Southern Alpine Attack
Leaving Le Monêtier-les-Bains, the convoy pointed south into the Southern French Alps, where the mountains feel wilder, the terrain more exposed, and the roads even more rewarding. Today was all about big elevation changes, fast transitions, and the kind of roads that make you forget everything else.
The morning was dominated by the Col d’Izoard, a French icon. This is a pass that feels like it belongs on another planet—harsh, rocky landscapes at the summit, twisting switchbacks below, and perfect tarmac the entire way. It’s a road that demands focus, but rewards those who get into its rhythm with an unforgettable driving experience.
Next came Col de Vars, a different kind of challenge. Faster, more open, this pass encouraged a higher-speed attack, where wide bends and smooth surfaces meant the cars could stretch their legs. The descent was thrilling—long, sweeping corners cutting through alpine meadows before plunging into the valleys below.
Heading further south, the group skirted the Gorges du Verdon, France’s answer to the Grand Canyon. While the dramatic cliffs and turquoise waters were tempting distractions, the real magic was in the road itself—narrow, twisting, and perched high above the gorge. The challenge was balancing taking in the view with nailing the perfect cornering line.
Finally, the day ended on one of the most famous driving roads in France—the Route Napoléon. This historic highway is a driver’s paradise, packed with high-speed sweepers, elevation changes, and perfectly cambered tarmac. It was a proper grand finale before rolling into Sisteron, where the convoy settled into Hôtel Restaurant de La Citadelle. We spent some time fixing the pedal assembly of one of the cars. The view? Spectacular. The rest? Best left unmentioned.
Day 5 – Through the Vercors, Where Roads Defy Gravity
Leaving Sisteron, the landscape shifted from rolling foothills to dramatic rock faces, setting the stage for a day of technical, rewarding roads. The route led through the Mont Ventoux region, where the famous mountain loomed on the horizon—its lunar-like summit a tempting detour. But today’s focus was different: hidden mountain passes and cliffside roads that belong in every driver’s dream list.
The Col de Rousset was the first major highlight, and what a road it was. Long, flowing sweepers, sharp elevation gains, and a series of tunnels punched straight through the rock made this an unforgettable climb. The descent was just as thrilling—tight, technical switchbacks dropping into the depths of the Vercors Massif, a region where the roads feel like they’ve been carved by a mad genius.
And then came Combe Laval. This is not just a road; it’s an engineering marvel. Hugging the edge of sheer cliffs, with tunnels and overhangs that frame the view like a postcard, it’s the kind of road that forces you to take a deep breath before committing to the next section. Every bend feels like it’s hanging over the abyss, with only a low stone wall separating asphalt from open air.
But just as we were settling into the flow, “gravillon” struck. Loose gravel—scattered across otherwise perfect tarmac—worked its way into almost everyone’s wheels. The cars with carbon-ceramic brakes suffered the worst, with stones getting trapped between the calipers and rims, producing a screech that cut through bone. Even those on steel brakes weren’t spared, with nearly every car developing a nerve-wracking grind. What followed was a less glamorous part of road-tripping—stopping to pry out the gravel, one agonizing scrape at a time. It was a reminder that while mountain passes are spectacular, they don’t always play fair.
The day ended in Bernin, at Domaine des Fontaines—not the most luxurious stop, but one that was exactly where we needed to be. The food was solid, and after a day like this, nothing else really mattered.
Day 6 – From the Alps to the Jura
With the Vercors Massif in the rearview mirror, the road ahead led towards the Jura Mountains, a region often overlooked but packed with perfect driving roads. The day’s route was a mix of tight technical passes, open-flowing roads, and high-speed lakefront blasts—a true driver’s paradise.
The first climb of the day tackled the Col du Granier, a narrow, twisting ascent through dense forests. The hairpins came thick and fast, demanding precision and patience, but the reward was an open descent with wide sightlines and perfectly cambered corners.
Approaching Lac du Bourget, the roads changed character—smooth, fast, and rolling alongside the water. Here, it was all about maintaining momentum, every curve feeding into the next in a hypnotic rhythm. Pure driving bliss.
Further north, the route climbed into the Col de la Faucille, where the road opened up into long sweepers and panoramic straights. With Mont Blanc appearing on the horizon, it was the kind of road that made you want to turn around and do it all again.
As the day wound down, the convoy carved through the Jura Mountains, a region of hidden passes and empty roads, before arriving in Ornans. The night’s stay at La Table de Gustave was a welcome contrast to the previous night—excellent food, a warm ambiance, and a sense that the journey was nearing its conclusion.
Day 7 – From the Jura to the Schwarzwald
Leaving Ornans, the morning roads wound through the last remnants of the Jura Mountains, but today’s real focus lay further ahead: the return to Germany via the legendary mountain passes of the Vosges.
The first challenge of the day was the Ballon d’Alsace, a twisting climb up one of the highest peaks in the Vosges range. The ascent was tight and technical, a stark contrast to the open views waiting at the summit. The descent? A series of perfectly cambered switchbacks that rewarded a well-placed throttle.
Further north, the convoy tackled Col de la Schlucht, a faster, more flowing route that carved through thick forests before dropping towards the Alsace plain. Here, the roads stretched wide, the landscape flattening out as we crossed the French-German border. But the real prize of the day still lay ahead.
Germany welcomed us back with one of its greatest driving roads—the Schwarzwaldhochstraße (B500). This was the perfect way to close the day: long sweepers, elevation changes, and perfect tarmac winding through the Black Forest. A road that begs to be driven with purpose.
The day ended in Zell am Harmersbach, where the convoy settled in at Grüner Hof. Schnitzels and Weizen beers were the perfect way to reflect on the miles behind and the final stretch ahead.
Tomorrow, the last leg begins.
Day 8 – The Final Stretch
The last day of the road trip started in Zell am Harmersbach, deep in the Black Forest, with one final chance to savour some of Germany’s greatest driving roads before the long push home.
The morning offered a proper farewell, carving through the last sweepers of the Schwarzwaldhochstraße (B500). A road that defines the Black Forest driving experience—long, flowing curves, perfectly cambered tarmac, and endless tree-lined horizons. One last taste of driving in its purest form before the reality of the journey’s end set in.
And then, the focus shifted. The mountains faded in the mirrors, replaced by the clean efficiency of the Autobahns. The pace quickened, the roads stretched wide, and the kilometres disappeared beneath us as we chased the horizon. There was no time for detours now—just the satisfaction of the final drive and the promise of a warm meal at home.
The trip was over. But the roads? They never really end.
