Routes des Granded Alpes, Day 3

June 2nd

We left Briancon early (for us) around 8:30 because we thought we had a long day ahead of us and several mountain passes to go through.  But such was not the case.   We made it through Col du Lautaret (Ouvert means Open), but Col du Galibier was Ferme (closed).  Thankfully, there was another route we could take when we reached the top so that we didn't have to backtrack.

I love the tunnels here because one side has large windows!

Made it through Col Du Lautaret.

Snow was in a mound across the road and a barricade in the distance.  FERME!

We passed through some Alpine towns on the route to our new destination, Albertville. This one is called Flumet.

Albertville is best known because it was the site of the 1992 Winter Olympics.

Between Albertville and Flumet, a new dam was being built.

We were so close to Italy, there were signs for Milan. 

We reached Albertville on Sunday. The town was pretty much deserted.  

There were no restaurants open for lunch, so we had to settle for pastries.

Since there wasn't much to do, we headed for the tiny town of Beufort, a little ways from Albertville.

The drive to Beaufort was beautiful with lots of alpine fields with mountain background.

Really nice drive

Sunday and the town was pretty quiet.

We saw a few tourists and a single bike rider.  Really cute town.

As we drove further ahead and higher in altititude, fog started creeping in.  And it was getting colder.  We were wondering if the roads might have black ice, so we headed back to Albertville.

Much sunnier as we headed back.

We found a place to stay the night called "La Roma" in Albertville.  I love the tree they have in the front parking lot.

Tomorrow, the 3rd of June, we would head to Chamonix, France for our next adventure!