Maritime Alps Driving Experience – Mercedes-Benz
Mountain Passes, Mediterranean Views & French Savoir-Vivre
About This Tour
Drive a classic Mercedes-Benz through the French Maritime Alps on one of Europe’s great mountain road journeys. From the lavender fields of Provence to the legendary Route des Grandes Alpes and the Côte d’Azur, this guided classic car tour combines dramatic scenery, alpine passes, and refined French hospitality.
Behind the wheel of a vintage Mercedes-Benz SL, the route climbs through quiet valleys, high mountain villages, and some of the most famous driving roads in France, including the Col d’Izoard and Col de la Bonette. Smooth six-cylinder power, sweeping curves, and panoramic views define the experience.
After arrival in Marseille, transfer to the elegant Moulin de Vernegues hotel. Following the roadbook and Mercedes-Benz introduction, your first drive leads through the Provençal countryside past plane-tree avenues, rosemary fields, and sandstone landscapes. The evening ends with dinner and time to relax at the hotel.
Today’s drive takes your classic Mercedes-Benz north through the Luberon and along the Durance River toward Lac de Serre-Ponçon, one of Europe’s largest reservoirs. From Guillestre, the route climbs into the Queyras National Park where mountain scenery and winding alpine roads lead to your high-altitude hotel retreat.
The Mercedes-Benz SL feels perfectly suited to the long climbs and sweeping mountain roads of the Route des Grandes Alpes. Today you cross the legendary Col d’Izoard, one of the Tour de France’s most iconic passes, surrounded by rugged alpine landscapes and dramatic rock formations.
A stop in Briançon, France’s highest city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers time to explore before continuing through the high Alps.
Your final stage delivers some of the greatest roads in the French Alps. The route crosses the Col du Var and the legendary Col de la Bonette at 2,715 meters, one of the highest paved roads in Europe.
Descending toward the Mediterranean, the landscapes shift from rugged alpine peaks to the glamour of the Côte d’Azur before arrival in Nice.
France
The Maritime Alps & Route des Grandes Alpes
The French Maritime Alps are home to some of Europe’s most celebrated mountain roads. Famous from the Tour de France and classic motoring routes alike, the region combines dramatic elevation changes, remote alpine villages, and endless switchbacks.
The Route des Grandes Alpes links legendary passes including the Col d’Izoard, Col du Var, and Col de la Bonette. These roads were made for classic grand touring cars like the Mercedes-Benz SL, rewarding smooth driving, stability, and long-distance comfort.
Large parts of the region belong to the Parc National du Mercantour, where alpine peaks, forests, and deep valleys stretch toward the Mediterranean coast. From Provence to Nice, the journey captures the contrast between mountain isolation and Riviera elegance.
Included
- Airport transfers and local transportation
- Self-drive classic Mercedes-Benz SL
- Fully comprehensive insurance and fuel included
- Hotel accommodations with breakfast
- Selected lunches and dinners
- Guided sightseeing and entrance fees per itinerary
- English-speaking guide and support team
- Welcome gift
Not Included
- Flights
- Meals not listed in itinerary
- Personal expenses and gratuities
Our Guests Say It Best
Discover what our guests say about this tour. Real experiences from drivers and travelers who have explored Europe’s most beautiful roads with us.
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