Driving the challenging D211A through Combe de la Fayolle

Combe de la Fayolle is a very daunting ravine located in the Isère department of France. Avoid the drive if you don’t like heights. It’s one of the French balcony roads.

Where is Combe de la Fayolle?

The canyon is located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, in the southeastern part of the country.

Can I drive through Combe de la Fayolle?

The scary road through the ravine is called D211A. It’s also known as Auris balcony road or Route de la Roche. Carved into the mountainside, the road is totally paved but extremely narrow. It has a big risk of rock slides and it’s not recommended for drivers who are prone to vertigo.

How long is Combe de la Fayolle?

Perched on a cliff above the Romanche valley, the staggering road is 7.6km (4.72 miles) long running from Auris to Le Bourg-d'Oisans. The awe-inspiring balcony road overlooks the Romanche valley and Bourg d’Oisans from high above.

Is Combe de la Fayolle challenging?

The tortuous road has 3 narrow and unlit tunnels where only one vehicle can drive through. Blow your horn before entering these tunnels. This road is heavily used by locals – so expect traffic coming contrary to you. Having this in mind, it's worth considering on which end you start to drive: If you start at Le Bourg-d'Oisans you are always on the hillside and the traffic coming contrary might have a problem with the drop – but it’s not you. Additionally, some parts of the road are rather tight so it’s better to drive it without huge side cases: leave them in the hotel. The ordinary traffic includes trucks, cars, and bicycles – also bicycles driven by children.