Hiking on the Route Napoléon

In the footsteps of the Emperor on foot or on horseback

The Route Napoléon hikes are hiking and horseback riding trails following in the footsteps of Napoleon in the Alpes de Haute Provence.
After his abdication in April 1814, Napoleon was exiled to the island of Elba. From then on, he had only one goal: to return and regain power. On March 1, 1815, he landed at Golfe Juan and, in order to avoid the large royalist cities, he chose to reach Grenoble via the Alpine route.
On March 3, 4 and 5, 1815, he crossed the Alpes de Haute Provence, passing through Castellane, Digne-les-Bains, Barrême, Malijai and Sisteron.

Hiking on the Route Napoléon

This route has been rehabilitated and developed into a hiking and horse riding route as part of the bicentenary of the Route Napoléon. It is as close as possible to the historical route taken by Napoleon in 1815 and its stopover towns, while avoiding the paved roads and choosing the most beautiful paths.

This legendary route will take you, over a day or several days, to discover unspoiled and authentic landscapes. In fact, 75% of the route crosses protected natural areas!

The Napoleon Route on foot

How to walk the Route Napoléon?

The "Route Napoléon à pied" route is a 406 km long long-distance hiking trail (GR®165) linking Grasse (Alpes-Maritimes) to Sisteron (Alpes de Haute Provence). The "Route Napoléon à pied" guidebook from the French National Hiking Federation describes this route. It was inaugurated in July 2015 during the bicentenary of the Emperor's ascent to Paris.

What is the route of the Route Napoléon on foot?


The route in the Alpes de Haute Provence crosses the following towns:

  • Peyroules,
  • La Garde,
  • Castellane *,
  • Senez,
  • Barrême *,
  • Chaudon-Norante *,
  • Entrages,
  • Digne-les-Bains *,
  • The Chaffaut Saint Jurson,
  • Mallemoisson,
  • Mirabeau,
  • Malijai *,
  • The Stopover,
  • Volonne *,
  • Salignac,
  • Between stones,
  • Sisteron *


*: Napoleon's stopping points in March 1815 for sleeping or eating

The Napoleon Route on horseback labeled “Grand Itinéraire Équestre”

The "Route Napoléon à cheval" (Napoleon Route on Horseback) is a 360 km long horseback riding trail. It runs along marked and specially designed trails, connecting Grasse (Alpes-Maritimes) to Vizille (Isère).

It was inaugurated in May 2015. Labeled “Grand Itinéraire Equestre” since March 2016, by the French Equestrian Federation (FFE) and the National Committee for Equestrian Tourism (CNTE).

This Great Equestrian Route crosses 4 departments (Alpes Maritimes, Alpes de Haute Provence, Hautes-Alpes, Isère).

What is the route of the Route Napoléon on horseback?


The route in the Alpes de Haute Provence, towns crossed:

  • Peyroules,
  • La Garde,
  • Castellane *,
  • Senez,
  • Barrême *,
  • Chaudon-Norante *,
  • Entrages,
  • Digne-les-Bains *,
  • The Chaffaut St Jurson,
  • Mallemoisson,
  • Mirabeau,
  • Malijai *,
  • The Stopover,
  • Volonne *,
  • Château-Arnoux St Auban,
  • Aubignosc,
  • Peipin,
  • Salignac,
  • Between stones,
  • Sisteron *


*: Napoleon's stopping points in March 1815 for sleeping or eating

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