Tunnel de Potrachon to Tunnel de la Beaume Mountain Pass Route in the French Alps

The road section discussed here is located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France, within the broader Alpine mountain range. It crosses the Massif du Dévoluy, a subrange of the Alps known for its rugged terrain and natural beauty. The route includes the Col du Festre mountain pass, which reaches an elevation of 1441 meters (4728 feet). The road runs adjacent to the La Béoux river for approximately 31% of its length, adding a natural water feature to the ride. The road's bounding box coordinates place it between latitudes 44.578112 and 44.7477, and longitudes 5.8492558 and 5.897354. An interactive map showing this road section can be found at the end of the article.

The road extends for about 22.6 kilometers (14 miles) and is primarily asphalt surfaced with a high-quality rating of 4.4 out of 5. It features a mix of lane configurations, with two lanes present on approximately 66% of the route and one lane on about 23%. The road width is predominantly wide (about 90%), with narrow and middle widths making up the remainder. Curviness is moderate, rated at 1.12 on a scale where 3 is extremely curvy, indicating a gently curved to moderately twisty ride. Speed limits vary along the route, with maximum speeds of 90 km/h (56 mph), 80 km/h (50 mph), and 50 km/h (31 mph) depending on the section. Around 20.3% of the road passes through inhabited areas, which may require additional caution. The elevation ranges from 952 meters (3123 feet) at the lowest point to 1444 meters (4737 feet) at the highest, corresponding to the mountain pass elevation.

The Col du Festre is the primary mountain pass on this route, situated at 1441 meters (4728 feet) elevation. This pass is a notable feature for riders seeking mountain terrain challenges. The road also runs alongside the La Béoux river for a significant portion, providing a natural scenic element and potential cooling effect during warmer months. The river itself is a tributary in the region and is documented on French Wikipedia as Béoux. The route crosses two mountain ranges: the Alps (Alpen) and the Massif du Dévoluy (Massif du Dévoluy), both offering diverse geological and topographical features.

This mountain pass road is accessible year-round but may be subject to seasonal weather conditions typical of Alpine regions, such as snow or ice in winter months, which could affect motorcycle travel. There are no specific reports of permanent closures or event-related restrictions for motorcycles on this route. Riders should verify local conditions before planning a trip. The road does not currently have tolls or entrance fees, but riders should be aware that toll policies can change. For updated information on road tolls in France, consult official sources such as the French Autoroutes website.

This article has detailed the Tunnel de Potrachon to Tunnel de la Beaume road section, highlighting its location in the French Alps, road characteristics, mountain pass features, and accessibility considerations. The route offers a moderately twisty ride with good surface quality and wide lanes, suitable for motorcyclists interested in Alpine mountain passes. An interactive map illustrating the road section discussed is provided below for reference.