D219 is a scenic balcony road in France
4 unlit tunnels, 10 hairpin turns, severe drop-offs, and narrow (very narrow) sections make Road D219 one of the scariest drives in Europe. It’s one of the French balcony roads.
Where is the D219 road?
The road is located to the east of Grenoble, in the Isère department, in the region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, in the southeastern part of the country. It is surrounded by several well-known mountain resorts, including Alpe d'Huez and Les Deux Alpes. The Écrins National Park lies to the southeast of Le Bourg-d'Oisans.
Is the D219 road paved?
The challenging D219 road, carved into the sheer rock face, follows the Romanche River on its western side. It’s totally paved.
How long is the D219 road?
It’s 9km (5.59 miles) long, running north-south from Le Bourg-d'Oisans to Villard-Notre-Dame. The approximate driving time is 13 minutes.
Is the D219 road open?
Set high in the French Alps, the road is open year-round, but it can be closed often due to snow in winters. The road is closed to vehicles exceeding a maximum weight of 15 tons, a maximum length of 7 meters, and a maximum width of 3 meters.
Is the D219 road difficult?
The road is extremely challenging. If you’re scared of narrow mountain roads, avoid it at all costs. This narrow and steep road features 9 hairpin turns and 4 unlit and narrow tunnels:
- Tunnel du Pontet (23m)
- Tunnel de Villard notre Dame (365 m)
- Tunnel de la Gardette (132m)
- Tunnel de Forissier (119m)