A French balcony road through Gorges du Bachelard
France, europe
40 km
N/A
hard
Year-round
# Gorges du Bachelard: A Thrilling Alpine Adventure
Ready for one of France's most jaw-dropping canyon drives? Head to the Gorges du Bachelard in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, nestled in the stunning Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. This dramatic gorge sits within Mercantour National Park, right along the route to Col de la Cayolle, and it's absolutely worth the detour.
The D902 winds through this narrow, rocky canyon for 40km (25 miles), running north-south from Uvernet-Fours to Entraunes. What you'll find here is pure magic—soaring cliffs, cascading waterfalls, ancient stone bridges, and the Bachelard River carving its way through the landscape. The road itself has quite the story: that first route through here was literally carved out in 1913 and wasn't even paved!
Today's drive is fully paved but definitely not your typical highway. It's narrow, twisty, and occasionally rough in spots with gravel patches, plus a fair few bridges to keep things interesting. You'll tackle some steep sections, but don't worry—this road attracts cyclists, motorcyclists, and car enthusiasts, not trucks. Just take it slow and soak in the views.
Fair warning: finding a safe spot to stop and admire the scenery can be tricky here, but stick with it. As you push north toward Fours Saint Laurent, the valley opens up and the dramatic canyon finally begins to soften. That's when you'll know you've made it through one seriously spectacular drive.
Where is it?
A French balcony road through Gorges du Bachelard is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 47.0725, 0.9528
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 40 km
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 47.0725, 0.9528
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