Col de la Colombiere Panoramic Road

Explore the breathtaking views of the French Alps with the Col de la Colombiere Panoramic Road. Starting in the town of Thones and ending in Cluses, this 42 km journey will take you through the towns of Saint Jean de Sixt and Col de la Colombière. Along the way, you will be treated to stunning scenery, including lush forests, rolling hills and snow-capped mountains. The best time of year to take this drive is during the summer months, when the weather is mild and the roads are in excellent condition. However, be aware that seasonal road closures due to inclement weather may occur. The road is mostly wide and well-maintained, but there are some curvy and narrow sections. Despite this, the drive is suitable for all drivers and well worth the effort for the amazing views and memories it will create. Plus, you can do it on a moderate budget. So get ready to take in the beauty of the French Alps!

Thones is a small commune located in the Haute-Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of South-Eastern France. It is a perfect starting point for the spectacular road trip named "Col de la Colombiere Panoramic Road", which winds its way through the breathtakingly beautiful alpine terrain of the French Alps. Thones is situated in the Faucigny region and is overlooked by the majestic Aravis mountain range. It is a perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering plenty of activities such as hiking, mountain biking, skiing, and snowshoeing. For those who are looking for a more relaxed holiday, Thones offers a number of interesting sights to explore. The village has several impressive churches, including the historic Saint-Germain Church and the 11th-century Saint-Gervais Church. Visitors can also explore the remains of a Roman theatre, take a stroll through the picturesque old town, or admire the views from the nearby summit of the La Balme mountain. For travelers arriving by air, the nearest international airport is Geneva Airport (IATA: GVA). Car rentals are available at the airport, making it easy to start the Col de la Colombiere Panoramic Road trip from Thones.

Are you ready for an amazing road trip from Thones to Saint Jean de Sixt? This 9 km journey will take you less than an hour to complete and you will be rewarded with some stunning views along the way. On your drive, keep an eye out for some narrow sections of the road, as well as some breathtakingly scenic views. If you’re looking for attractions, there are plenty of options in both Thones and Saint Jean de Sixt. In Thones, you can visit the 12th century church, the old castle ruins, and the beautiful waterfalls. In Saint Jean de Sixt, you can explore the ruins of the old castle and the 12th century church. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please check the “Itinerary” for this stage. Enjoy your journey!

Embark on an unforgettable road trip from Saint Jean de Sixt to Col de la Colombière. This 14 km journey will take you less than an hour to complete, and you'll be rewarded with some of the most breathtaking views of the French countryside. As you drive, be sure to take in the scenic roads and steep ramps, as well as the winding and narrow sections. Keep an eye out for seasonal closures, and you'll be sure to make the most of your drive. When you finally reach the Col de la Colombière, you'll find plenty of attractions and activities to explore. For more information on attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, be sure to check out the "Itinerary" of this stage. Enjoy your journey!

Embark on an amazing road trip from Col de la Colombière to Cluses! This 19 km journey should take you less than an hour to complete, and you will be treated to some stunning views along the way. Keep an eye out for the steep ramps and winding roads, as well as some narrow sections of the route. Please note that some sections may be closed seasonally. You will be rewarded with stunning views of the surrounding area and a chance to explore the quaint towns of Col de la Colombière and Cluses. Be sure to check out the Cluses Museum, which features a variety of exhibits, and Col de la Colombière's Castle, which dates back to the 12th century. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, be sure to check the “Itinerary” of this stage. Bon voyage!

Cluses, France is the perfect ending point for a road trip around the Col de la Colombiere Panoramic Road. Located in the northern French Alps, Cluses is a quaint mountain town that offers plenty to see and do. The town is well known for its picturesque architecture, which features half-timbered houses, winding cobbled streets, and a stunning 14th-century castle. For those who want to explore further, there is the nearby Domaine de Château Gaillard, a Romanesque castle with a spectacular view of the Alps. Nature lovers can also take advantage of the nearby mountain trails for a spot of hiking or biking. For those looking for a more leisurely experience, the town is home to several museums, including the Musée des Mines and the Musée du Costume et du Textile. After a day of exploring, visitors can relax at one of the many cafes, restaurants, and bars in the center of town. Cluses is only a short drive from the Geneva International Airport (IATA: GVA), making it an easy destination to get to. Whether you are looking for a relaxing alpine escape or an active adventure, Cluses is the perfect place to end your journey around the Col de la Colombiere Panoramic Road.

We believe that the presented journey idea gave you multiple inspirations for your future travels.
It is a ready-made option that can be effortlessly turned into a complete tour – all things are possible.
If car travel is the preferred travel mode for you, there are a number of essential road rules to follow and a bunch of elements to keep in mind to make your road adventure safe. The following road rules will surely become useful for all holidaymakers considering car rental or camper hire.
When on a tour around Alps, there are numerous road rules to be mindful of. In Alps, if you are planning to drive, try to stay away from alcohol at any expense. Drivers should remember that the amount of alcohol you can consume is rather low and cannot exceed 0.5‰. In order to avoid speeding offence, it is best to never exceed 50km/h, which is the maximum permissible speed when driving around the the city streets. When it comes to undeveloped areas, you should be mindful of the fact that the maximum allowed speed is 90km/h. When travelling on highways, you can travel at the maximum speed of 130km/h. In order to stay safe, it is best to drive with your headlights on at daytime and equip your car with a fire extinguisher and first aid kit.
But what are the costs of the whole trip. The amount of money that you have to spend during the whole undertaking are dependent on the budget option of your choice. A wide range of budget options is described below.
We estimate that the cheapest offer when it comes to gasoline to cover the planned 4 stages while travelling around Alps may equal as much as 0 EUR. Economy accommodation options can cost holidaymakers around 77 EUR. Tourists who take advantage of this option will spend more or less 96 EUR on restaurants and food. Travellers will have to pay around 45 EUR if they aim for the cheapest hire car offer as well. Thus, the estimated cost of the whole trip will amount to 173 EUR if you are interested in the option without car rental and 218 EUR if you will hire a car.
Holidayers who are looking for greater comfort and the standard option will pay about 13 EUR for the fuel needed to cover the itinerary. If you are into standard accommodation options, you should remember that the expenses may amount up to approximately 132 EUR. Travellers can expect that the standard option in terms of restaurants and food will cost around 144 EUR. Travellers who are also interested in a standard car rental should expect a cost of approximately 63 EUR. Summing up the standard offer, the estimated cost of the road trip will total around 352 EUR for travellers who would like to try car rental and 289 EUR for those who are not interested in rental.
The highest level of comfort of the premium option will meet the expectations of the most demanding tourists. When it comes to this offer, the estimated cost of the road trip will total approximately 540 EUR for drivers who are considering car rental and 289 EUR for those who do not need a rental vehicle. Travellers who would like to cover the road trip in a premium hire vehicle should expect a cost of about 126 EUR. In the top standard option of the trip, the cost of the fuel needed to cover all stages around Alps is around 13 EUR. You should expect to pay approximately 192 EUR for restaurants and food and more or less 209 EUR for hotels if you are searching for the highest standard of services during your trip.
Col de la Colombiere Panoramic Road will also become interesting for all camper enthusiasts. If you are considering this transport option, the costs will be up to roughly 225 EUR. If you are wondering about the money that has to be spent on fuel during the whole road trip, it will amount to roughly 13 EUR. Holidayers who are interested in camper rental should expect to pay about 55 EUR for accommodation and around 96 EUR for expenses connected with food.
The section Road Trip Costs shows all the above details in a straightforward way.
If Col de la Colombiere Panoramic Road has sparked your creativity, there are plenty of picturesque road trips and scenic drives on our website. We hope that the broad spectrum of road trips will definitely come up to the expectations of the most demanding tourists.