Gorges de la Bourne is a balcony road in France
Gorges de la Bourne is a very scenic canyon located on the boundary between the Isère and Drôme departments, in France. It's one of the French balcony roads.
Where is Gorges de la Bourne?
The gorge is located in the French region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, in the southeastern part of the country, within the Vercors Regional Nature Park.
When was the road through Gorges de la Bourne built?
The story behind the route cutting through the vast Vercors gorges is as complex as its winding course. Over an 11-year period, from 1861 to 1872, Jean Serratrice and the laborers risked their lives, suspended over the abyss, to finish the construction work. And even today, it is a major challenge to maintain this link subject to climatic changes and erosion.
How long is the Gorges de la Bourne road?
The road through the gorges carved by the River Bourne is totally paved. It’s called D531. It is 22.6km (14.04 miles) long, running west-east from Pont-en-Royans to Villard-de-Lans.
Is the road through Gorges de la Bourne challenging?
The drive is very challenging, with narrow parts, unlit tunnels, and countless turns. Be careful because sometimes it can be tricky to drive. Rock slides can occur anytime and can sometimes block some sections of the road. The road mainly follows the course of the river through various ravines and can be too busy in summers.
Is Gorges de la Bourne worth it?
Located in the Vercors Massif, the journey is dotted with breathtaking views over this grandiose scenery. When you drive through the limestone gorge, views around you are beautiful and breathtaking. The breathtaking gorge-side road mainly follows the course of the river through various ravines. Don't forget to stop at Choranche cave, famous for its stalactites.
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