Nice to Lyon

Today is a big driving day back towards Paris. We'll get to Lyon tonight, then to Paris the next day.
Nice and sunny again today for our drive along Napoleon Way, through the French Alps. It's like nothing we have ever seen before, steep roads which drop over the edge and just disappear into the valleys below, lots of rocky ridges and small tunnels. And this section is called the ‘Little Alps’...can’t wait to see the big ones!!
Stopped at Castellane for coffee, it is on the Verdon River and is the site of lots of archaeological finds from the early time of man habitation. There is a huge rock formation behind it over 200 metres tall on which a religious site and cross is situated – commonly ‘The Roc’. Lots of lavender grown in this region.
Drove through Dignes, the Tour de France often comes through this way and they seemed to be setting up for a race as we were driving through. It is also a base for the military squad especially trained for search and rescue operations in the Alps.
Stopped at Sisteron for lunch, they were also setting up for a bike race, lots of stalls with cycling equipment. Lots of photos today of the Alps and the regions around – so different to the landscape in Australia. Arrived in Lyon at about 6pm, stayed at the Park Inn – another tiny shower!! But all the rooms have been very clean, just further out of the town centre, which isn’t really a problem because we are in late and out early so no time to walk around the towns. Had roast pork with tomato, mozzarella cheese, lettuce, beans, pasta topped off with chocolate muffin...bed here I come.