Travelling through the scenic Route de l'Authion

Route de l'Authion, also known as D68, is a very scenic drive in the Mercantour National Park, Alpes-Maritimes, in France. Along the road there are several forts and military ruins.

Route de l'Authion

The road is asphalted, but there are some holes in the way. It’s 12,8 km long and starts from Col de Turini. It’s an old military road, pretty narrow but one way. The drive is pretty scary because the road is unprotected by guardrails. The strategic location of the Authion Massif commemorates the military background of the Maritime Alps valleys, from the Napoleonic wars to the Second World War.

The weather on this zone is harsh and highly unpredictable and it does not take much time for the bright sun shine to change over to moderate to heavy snow fall. The road is closed from 30 november to 30 april. The area was the scene of bloody fighting until the Second World War (device of the Maginot Line).
The drive, also known as Circuit de L'Authion, is definitely worth it. Along the road is possible to discover several military monuments. There are many excellent photo opportunities here. Don’t forget your camera!  The breathtaking panorama along the way allows to admire the eastern part of the Mercantour massif and the final foothills of the Alps plunging into the Mediterranean.
This is a high mountain road. It starts in Col de Turini (1.604 m) and climbs up Silver Camp (1.737 m), Tueis (1.889 m) and a small pass (1.986 m) before joining the Massif Authion, located at 2.080 meters above the sea level.

 

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