Napoleon Bonaparte, who had been exiled on the Island of Elba in 1814, decided to return to the forefront of French political life. A year later, on 1st March, he disembarked at Golfe Juan and set off, accompanied by a handful of his followers, to recover his title. He chose to reach Lyon over the mountains, so as to avoid meeting resistance in royalist towns.

So the Route Napoleon is the stretch linking Golfe Juan to Grenoble, via Grasse, Digne and Gap. He managed to cover 324km. in 6 days, and on 20 March he reached the Tuileries, as planned.

The emperor enters into the town of Castellane the 3d of March in between 10 and 12 o’clock. The first contact with the population wasn’t very positive; no one wanted to join the little troop which nevertheless became bigger while progressing.

Napoleon had lunch with a friend, the sub-prefect Francoul and to thank him for his attachment he promised to name him prefect of Digne.

You can still admire the commemorative tablet in the rue Nationale at number 34 above the entrance.

Route Napoléon Website.