Col de la Bonette (Jausiers) – View From Above | Art Print

An otherworldly spectacular place found in the Mercantour National Park on the border of the departments of Alpes-Maritimes and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.

This climb/road is a little confusing. From Jausiers, there is Col de Restefond which is 1km before reaching Col de la Bonnette. Col de la Bonnette is not the highest point you can get you either. Col de la Bonnette is a break (Col means pass) in the rock which allows you to descend down the other side towards Nice. However from the col, you can climb further to Cime de la Bonnette which is a crazy two-kilometre teardrop loop around the highest point/ mountain. On top of Cime de la Bonnette is a viewing platform, and the road is the highest road in France at 2802m (9193ft). It often declared as the higehst point in Europe, which isn’t true. Pico Valeta, Spain is.

With some of the confusion hopefully quashed, from Jausier or in fact either direction you about to experience the spectacular. This road/climb has several distinct sections. Each one is different and wants you to see more. Starting in lush pastures you pass through Lans flowing up the valley. Passing through 8km there are many ravines and depending on the time of year you go, huge waterfalls and streams. Up and over that section you get to a new valley and view Halte 2000 (a popular restaurant) leading to a spectacular section of switchbacks climb up and out of the valley. Into the next valley with Lac des Eissaupres and the famous Fortin de Restefond (also known as casernement du Restefond). This was built in 1901 as a part of the Maginot defence line. This section is spectacular, especially when viewed from above.

You reach Col de Restefond, which has dominating and buried gun emplacements. But the views here. Wow! Spectacular and otherworldly. As you continue it gets better and better as you make your past Col de la Bonnette to Cime de la Bonnette.

Epic. An Epic Cols top 10 road/climb.

Stats: 1589m of ascent in 23.1km. 7.1% average gradient. Col de la Bonnette Elevation: 2715m (8907ft) Cime de la Bonette elevation: 2820m (9193ft)

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About the Photographer – Daniel Hughes

Epic Cols is a passion project for rider and photographer Daniel Hughes. Hughes is a Sony Photographic ambassador who works with some of the world’s largest and most renowned outdoor brands. His work can be seen in galleries, magazines, online publications and on his clients’ channels.