A classic road trip to Col de l’Homme and Notre-Dame de la Salette
Col de l’Homme is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,766m (5,793ft) above sea level, located in the Isère department of France.
Where is Col de l’Homme?
The peak is located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, in the southeastern part of the country.
Why is Col de l’Homme famous?
The summit hosts a shrine known as Notre-Dame de la Salette, a 19th-century sanctuary with a basilica that draws many pilgrims each year. There are a few buildings, statues, a gift shop, and a large parking lot. In 1950, an airplane carrying 51 people, 49 of whom were Canadian, crashed into the nearby peak Grande Tête de l’Obiou. The victims are buried in a cemetery/memorial a few kilometers along the road.
Is the road to Col de l’Homme paved?
The road to the summit is fully paved. It’s called D212C, locally known as Route de la Salette. The road is wide, not too steep, with plenty of gentle curves and little traffic.
How long is the road to Col de l’Homme?
The road is 14.3 km (8.88 miles) long, starting from Corps. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 822 meters, and the average gradient is 5.74%.