FRENCH HIGH ALPS - A GEMBALLA-Event! The rather academic and geographical headline FRENCH HIGH ALPS refers to nothing less than one of the most thrilling and breathtaking driving routes of the planet. From Geneva to Monaco it follows the course of the main ridge of the French Alps. Each stage an El Dorado for lovers of turns and hairpin bends, each stage offering many kilometers void of any traffic - at least when driving in Mid-September. We would love to share this very adventure with you. Reinhard Loeven, our more than experienced guide and mountain road enthusiast has developed an unparalleled 3-day driving program for us. A program just the way we like it. A program true to our own philosophy. Vehicles showing the legendary GEMBALLA label need to be steered on some of the world s most legendary roads. And at the end of the driving experience Monaco will welcome you, the glamor destination at the Mediterranean.
FRENCH HIGH ALPS - A GEMBALLA-Event! The realm of the French Alps is a realm meant for automobile legends. Extreme roads, extreme remoteness, steepness, bends over bends demand the driver s fullest attention. But this setting also provides you with extreme enjoyment. Some enthusiasts enter a state of driving bliss! Though you will not experience the car s final high speed options (too many bends and hairpin bends), you might have utter fun enjoying the cornering speed our cars provide during this driving adventure. On the following pages you will receive more detailed information (including images from former events Reinhard did for individual clients during the last years).
****VILLA CÉCILE Here our adventure will start - at the south shores of Lake Geneva. Here our guide Reinhard Loeven will hold the drivers briefing, a first aperitif will be taken, just as well as a first impression of the fellow drivers gathered. Dinner will be taken at a fabulous restaurant in the old village centre of Yvoire just a stroll away. Hotel landlord Monsieur Kung and his family and team will do everything to guarantee your maximum satisfaction. Very probably we will conclude the evening on the terrace of Hotel du Port relishing a last drink as well as the view across Lake Geneva.
****VILLA CÉCILE Some ballyhoo at Place du Port in Yvoire. In front of our first hotel. What is (still) missing are the cars from GEMBALLA!
Friday, September 15th: DAY 1 Ivoire - Bourg-St. Maurice (260 km) Driving on top of the world. Day 1 will be spectacular right from the beginning. Reinhard will guide us through the French Limestone Alps semi circling Mont Blanc. Not less than 8 cols will be part of the driving program and one or the other wild chase could be an option - in all due responsibility. Just as well as some delightful cruising through a spectacular scenery. Highlights of day one: Col de l Arpettaz (optional) and Cormet de Roselend.
Friday, September 15th: DAY 1 Ivoire - Bourg-St. Maurice (260 km) Driving the heights of unparalleled Col de l Arpettaz, offering a notorious (asphalted) forest road, looking rather tame in this image.
Friday, September 15th: DAY 1 Ivoire - Bourg-St. Maurice (260 km) As already mentioned: the program will be spectacular right from the start of day 1. This image shares a view from a coffee break terrace. Later the itinerary will lead you along the top of the dam along the left side of Lake Roselend into the high valley of Roselend, ascending at the opposite end of the lake.
***HOTEL L AUTANTIC, Bourg-St. Maurice In 2003 our guide stayed in Hotel L Autantic for the very first time - at the same time as a part of the French national team of Judokas. Them dramatically increasing their fitness by ascending the surrounding passes by racing and mountain bicycles. Our guide exploring the region by black Porsche. Following this first impressive visit he many times stayed in impeccable Hotel L Autantic on the foot of world famous ski resorts with his guests. Down-to-earth, meticulously clean and providing a small collection of classic cars from Bugatti in the underground parking. The meanwhile divorced and now Ex-husband of the landlady used to start the 2,3 liter supercharger engine of his 29er racing car. Brute, because non-existing sound-design. We ll take dinner in a restaurant in Bourg-St. Maurice. Where the locals dine.
Saturday, September 16th: DAY 2 Bourg-St. Maurice - Jausiers (280-320 km) Alpine Cols again and again! You will drive way up into the heights of the French Alps. Depending on road and weather conditions we will traverse none less than the most famous French Alpine passes in a single day: Col d Iseran, Col du Galibier and Col d Izoard. Healthy ascends accompanied by breathtaking vistas and the crispy clear mountain air promise great pleasure. We will be mostly on our own during this period of the saison and your GEMBALLA will absolutely be in her element
Saturday, September 16th: DAY 2 Bourg-St. Maurice - Jausiers (280-320 km) Considering sheer altitude, Col de la Madeleine (roughly 2000 m.a.s.l.) cannot be Highlight of the Day. But, when it comes to itinerary, scenery and vistas, Col de la Madeleine could just as well be the frontrunner of the day. Offering the (last) view to and on Mont Blanc, the Grandes Rousses und the Massif des Écrins, an ascent via innumerable bends of all possible radiusses and the descent to La Chambre" via the famous hairpin-bends of Montvernier.
Saturday, September 16th: DAY 2 Bourg-St. Maurice - Jausiers (280-320 km) 17 hairpin bends modeled into a more or less vertical precipice build one of the most spectacular driving experiences possible. Speed is not an option here. Joy and awe are. In our opinion spectacular roads were built for (your and our) spectacular cars. According to our guide at Montvernier 17 hairpin bends master 400 meters in altitude - at a linear distance of less than 300 meters.
****VILLA MORELIA, Jausiers During the early 19th century many French emigrants left this part of the country for emigration. They mostly went to Mexico where a lot of them obviously made a fortune. A little older, really rich and a little homesick some came back to retire and built manorial villas in Mexican style. Villa Morelia was one of them. In 2001, Marie-Christine and Robert Boudard rather accidentally stumbled over the Villa. It was in an awfully bad condition, since nobody had lived here or taken care for many decades. But Marie-Christine and Robert saw then already, what everybody can see now: a lovely, high-class hide-away. After remodeling the house they bought furniture on Antique Markets all over Europe and re-arranged the surrounding wilderness into a beautiful park. Now they are improving their jewel Villa Morelia year after year!
****VILLA MORELIA, Jausiers
Sunday, September 17th: DAY 3 Jausiers - Monaco (ca. 270 km) On Day 3 we cross the French Sea Alps in total. A line-up of Rallye Monte Carlo icons like Col de Turini, Col de Braus and so on. But, the last stage towards the Cote d Azur starts with traversing one or two High Alpine passes. And we have three options to choose from. 1st: Col de la Cayolle, 2nd: a combination of Col d Allos (next image) and Col des Champs, or 3rd - to be seen on this image - Col de la Bonnette. A rather tough decision! Anyway, each version equally breathtaking, each version leading into the region of the Sea Alps and alongside the Côte d Azur to day 3 s destination: Monte Carlo!
Sunday, September 17th: DAY 3 Jausiers - Monaco (ca. 270 km) Mountain roads have to face rather extreme weather conditions during the course of the year. And extreme heights are not human habitat by nature. And man made works - like roads for example - here have shorter life expectancies than in the lowlands. This mage shows a situation at Col des Champs. Approx. 10 drainage channels - transversely to the direction of travel - guide, in cases of rain and storm, water flows away from the marked-out route into the surrounding terrain. They also force us drivers to intense moments of slow concentrated steering. Col d Allos / Col de Champs is one of the three options on our way south. We will decide on-site considering the abilities of the cars present if we can choose this option. Since it s the most remote and most scenic way to go south.
Sunday, September 17th: DAY 3 Jausiers - Monaco (ca. 270 km) Finally we will reach the Mediterranean!
*****HOTEL DE PARIS, Monte Carlo What a contrast: after three days of sheer remoteness we finally reach Monte Carlo, one of the most glamorous places on the planet. We will stay in the heart of Monte Carlo at Hotel de Paris, Place du Casino. Here at the center of glitter and glamor, cars by GEMBALLA are just as well in their element as on the performance demanding mountain roads of the French High Alps. We will strive to arrange for an informal photoshoot in front of Casino and Hotel.
LOUIS XV, Monte Carlo A journey full of highlights should culminate in a final culinary highlight. We will get spoiled to the max at Alain Ducasse s Louis XV. In September 2017 the unique Belle Epoque hall will not be available - due to extensive remodeling works at the whole building of Hotel de Paris. There will be an appropriate substitute - most probably we will dine in the Rotonde in the garden of Hotel de Paris. But, it s the dishes anyway why we chose Louis XV.
Montag, 18. September: TAG 4 Optional: Monaco - Nizza (ca. 30 km) oder individuelle Weiter- oder Heimreise Time to say Good Bye. If you prefer to fly home we would organize the transport of your car. Should you wish to drive home: there are many interesting routes to choose from. Our guide will help to find the best.
ORGANIZER and TOUR-GUIDE Starting in 2004 i design, realize and guide sports car driving events in and through the most beautiful regions Central and Southern Europe have to offer. My aspiration is rather simple: i d like to offer spectacular routes off the beaten tracks - even in the eyes of most demanding clients, may they be individual or corporate. My guests definitely experience new perspectives on the most beautiful European regions. My passion for cooking (and fine dining) rather helps me when designing my programs, for, culinary highlights (may they be Michelin starred - or fine local eateries) are essential to my events. A journalistic comment on my work in general you can find here and on this very formate here.
STATISTIK DAY 1: 260 km and 143 hairpin-bends DAY 2: 280-340 km and 98-180 hairpin-bends (depending on the chosen itinerary) DAY 3: 240-300 km and approx. 165-240 hairpin-bends (depending on the chosen itinerary)
Included Services: 3-day guided roadtrip via the most beautiful mountain roads of the French Alps Guiding: Reinhard Loeven Maximum 12 client-cars 4 overnight stays ****Hotel Villa Cécile, Yvoire ***Hotel L Autantic, Bourg-St. Maurice ****Hotel Villa Morelia, Jausiers *****Hotel DE PARIS, Monte Carlo 4 x Dinner 4 x Breakfast 3 x Lunch Elaborate Roadmap for each team Retrospective photobook following the event Agency services by Loeven Sportwagentouren (Walkie-Talkies, etc) Rate for single occupancy 4.240,- Rate for an accompanying person, staying in the same room 1.920,- Not included: vehicles, gas, alcoholic beverages
IMPRESSIONS (October 2014) Col de l Arppettaz with Mont Blanc in the background. A young cow being curious.
IMPRESSIONS (October 2014) Full speed ahead at Col du Glandon.
IMPRESSIONS (October 2014) At Col du Galibier.
IMPRESSIONS (June 2015) Approaching Col de la Madeleine. Foto: Stefan Anker
IMPRESSIONS (June 2015) All alone at Col du Glandon.
IMPRESSIONS (June 2015) French Sea Alps (Col de Bleine) Foto: Stefan Anker
IMPRESSIONS (June 2016) Resting at Col de l Arpettaz.
IMPRESSIONEN aus dem Juni 2016 Hairpin-bends at Col de Chaussy. Foto: Roger Aeschbach
IMPRESSIONS (June 2016) Sensational ascent to Col de Vars.