2. Start point
… is here in front of the Hôtel Royal, Evian.
Once youʼve packed your bags, weʼll head straight up into the mountains. On
the first day, we will meander through the French Limestone Alps, close to the
main ridge of the Alps. We will also drive through the Aravis and the
Beaufortain ranges.
3. In the Limestone Alps
The Chablais Alps
On the first day, we will drive a semicircular route around the western side of
Mont Blanc. As long as the weather is good, youʼll always have a good view
of this huge, white mountain. The Col des Saisies, Col dʼAravis and Col du
Pré passes provide the best views.
4. Laundry room
Going over mountain passes at any time of year always runs the risk of fog,
rain and occasionally snow. This is where youʼll get your first glimpse of the
stretch down to the Lac des Roselend between Beaufort and Bourg-Saint-
Maurice. Itʼs an absolutely breathtaking landscape but, as you can see from
the picture above, there have been occasions where the visibility has
dropped to under 30 metres. Just another driving experience to enjoy.
5. Views
But, the weather is not always bad! Here the same position as the image
before. But, slightly different weather conditions.
6. Breaks
“Col dʻAravis“
Short breaks to have a breather, take photos and generally enjoy. A short
pause during which you can stretch your legs – then weʼll carry on.
7. Mont Blanc from behind …
… at long last, we drive through the clouds and reach the northern section of
the spectacular Col de la Madeleine at a height of exactly 2,000 metres
above sea level. If the Col de lʼIseran is still closed for the winter, the Tour des
Niveaux will take you over this pass.
8. The tour summit
At the highest point of the pass
Surrounded by the snow-covered mountains of the French High Alps, 2770
metres above sea level on the Col de lʼIseran. The wonderful, breathtaking
countryside and fantastic mountain passes will make any car fanʼs heart beat
faster.
10. Maritime Alps (Col dʼAllos, northern section)
We sometimes deviate from the official Route des Grandes Alpes. This is the
ascent section of the Col dʼAllos, a great alternative to the Col de la Cayolle.
Driving the Col dʼAllos (and the directly connected Col des Champs) in
September means that there is a high probability of experiencing around 50–
60 kilometres of mountain passes without meeting any traffic.
11. Over the rooftops of Nice
Finally we arrive in the South! After approximately 700 kilometres of mountain
passes through one of the loneliest regions of central Europe, we will drive
leisurely through the city of Nice via the Moyenne Corniche to Eze. Sea views
included.
12. Eze
Our stopover on the Côte dʼAzur
The Château de la Chèvre dʼÔr can be found behind the church on the sea-
facing side of Ezeʼs rocky peak.
13. Car Park, Chateau de la Chèvre DʻÔr
This is where you can leave your car for a couple of days (while you enjoy the
hospitality in the chateau). The sports cars will be left to enjoy the views of
the countryside or the wide expanse of the Mediterranean under the watchful
eye of the parking attendant.
14. La Grande Corniche
The Grande Corniche has the best views of the three coastal routes between
Nice and Menton.
15. Winetasting
In Gioʼs wine cellar
Bellet is a microscopically small vineyard region in the countryside
surrounding Nice. The amounts produced are tiny, but the quality of the wine
produced by individual winegrowers is remarkable. Joseph Sergi (Gio) is a
Bellet success story. His wines are included on wine lists in various famous
restaurants, including La Bastide in Grasse and La Pinede in St Tropez. Itʼs
unusual to be able to get him to provide wine for tastings as he only produces
14,000 bottles a year. However, if heʼs in a good mood, he will open the
smallest case he can find – but he will also do this for ʻclientsʼ who have
travelled from Lake Geneva in sports cars.
17. Itinerary for the Tour des Niveaux Comfort
Day 1 (Mon. 20/09):
Travel to Sciez
Ascent to Hotel Chateau de Coudrée in Sciez direct at Lake Geneva.
Day 2
(Tues. 21/09)
Sciez – Bourg-St-Maurice (approx. 210 km)
Mont Blanc dominates the start of the Route des Grandes Alpes! We will drive in a
semicircular route around the highest mountain in Europe, going through passes that go
up to 2,000 metres above sea level.
Day 3
(Wed. 22/09)
Bourg-St-Maurice – Jausiers (approx. 260 km)
Very early in the morning, we will make our way over the famous Tour de France route
towards the picturesque Alpine town of Briançon. Along the way is the imposing Galibier,
including its legendary ascent which is known as ʻthe black hell of Galibierʼ. The afternoon
stretch takes in breezy larch forests, the Casse Déserte behind the Col dʼIzoard and the
picturesque countryside between Vars and Jausiers.
Day 4
(Thurs. 23/09)
Jausiers – Jausiers (approx. 244km)
The extra day in Alpes Haute Provençe. A circular route full of superlatives: we will travel
2,880 metres above sea level on the Col de la Bonnette to the highest point of the TDNC.
Then the Col de Lombarde and Col de la Cayolle will top off this day trip. Includes a
classic Alpine picnic.
Day 5
(Fri. 24/09)
Jausiers – Côte dʼAzûr (225 km)
Drive through the Maritime Alps down to the sea and then up again to a height of approx.
2,300 metres above sea level. We will have lunch along the way. Drive through the
Maritime Alps (including the Col de Turini) to the Côte dʼAzûr.
Day 6 (Sat. 25/09):
On the Côte d'Azûr
Short guided tour through Niceʼs old town. We will visit perfume manufacturer Fragonard in
Eze in the afternoon.
Day 7 (Sun. 26/09): Round trip through the Upper Provence Alps (approx. 160 km)
We will travel through the Upper Provence Alps along narrow country lanes – hopefully
without meeting oncoming traffic. The Clues de Haute Provence provides the breathtaking
surroundings for this automotive treat.
Day 8 (Mon. 27/09):
Departure
Make your own way home after a hearty breakfast on the hotel terrace.
18. The stopovers
Chateau de Coudrée
Château de Coudrée, a moated castle with over a thousand years of history, has an
impressive location on the southern bank of Lake Geneva, not to mention extremely well-
preserved architecture dating from the twelfth century. The antique style of the interior
goes perfectly with the exterior. Many of the fireplaces, wooden ceilings, paintings and
tapestries come from old Italian palaces and lend the entire place a special atmosphere of
authenticity. The Château de Coudrée has been owned by the Réale-Laden family for
many years. Guests can enjoy their highly personal approach to hospitality which stands in
direct contrast to the anonymity of standardised luxury hotels.
Catherine Réale-Laden is the manager and her twin daughters Caroline (hotel
management) and Marina (head chef of the gourmet restaurant) are very involved in the
day-to-day running of the hotel. Their moated castle really is the apple of their eye.
19. Hotel LʻAutantic, Bourg-St.Maurice
In summer, the Les Arcs–Val dʼIsère region traditionally goes into ʻhibernationʼ, as
hotels and restaurants are usually closed following the rush of the ski season.
There are few exceptions to this, but luckily for us the Hotel LʼAutantic in Bourg-
Saint-Maurice is one of them. This hotel is managed by a family and is an incredibly
hospitable place to stay. And if the managerʼs husband fires up his Type 29 Bugatti
(in original racing condition: 2.3-litre supercharged engine, 200 hp, any passenger
will get their backside roasted because of the heat of the exhaust), any late
sleepers in the hotel are guaranteed to fall out of bed in shock, but itʼs well worth it.
The veritable roar this car produces (noise reduction technology did not exist then)
will really bring a smile to your face. Though heʼll only do it if we explicitly ask him
to. His wife does not really approve of it.
20. Villa Morelia, Jausiers
When a group of French explorers
returned to their homeland from
Mexico at the beginning of the
twentieth century, they built a
splendid estate in Jausiers named
after the city from which they had just
returned: the Villa Morelia. Just a
century later, there was little left of
the dreams of a once proud
populace. Marie-Christine and Robert
Boudard came across the villa by
chance in 2001. What they saw was
a park that had been left to go wild
and a neglected house with the wind
whistling right through it, but they
bought it anyway. Even then, they
could see its potential to become
what it is today: a luxurious guest
house in the middle of the
countryside. Each room is individually
decorated with antique furnishings
from all over Europe. History has
been kind to the Villa Morelia, much
to the joy of its guests.
21. Château de la Chèvre d´Ôr, Eze
Your first impression of the Chèvre dʼÔr will be an overwhelming scent of jasmine.
In September, thousands of blooms rain down on the Chèvre dʼÔrʼs grounds from
the rocky cliffs of the medieval village of Eze. Your second impression will be no
less spectacular: the sea. Everywhere you look you can see water. The hotel is
located on an ancient eagleʼs nest right above the beach. The restaurants, terraces
and rooms look out on one thing and one thing only: the sea and the early morning
sun. There are some amazing hotels in the world, but none of them provides quite
as much exhilaration at only 300 metres above sea level.
22. Culinary Itinerary
The Tour des Niveaux Comfort is a trip through French haute cuisine. We will come across
lots of talented chefs, from the young Laurent Lemal in his kitchen in Jausiers, who has his
first Michelin star firmly in his sights, and Phillip Labbé in the restaurant at La Chèvre dʼÔr,
who already has two stars, to the old master Alain Ducasse, who has held a number of
stars for several years. As well as our Michelin jaunts, we will also stop for a few bites to
eat just off the beaten track and enjoy some selected regional delicacies.
Day 1: Sciez
Evening meal in the gourmet restaurant François 1er. Chef Marina Réale-Laden, the
daughter of the family who owns the hotel, learnt her trade from none other than Alain
Ducasse. Very talented. In her first year as an independent chef, Gault Millau awarded her
work with 15 Gault Millau points.
Day 2: Lac de Roselend / Bourg-St-Maurice
Lunch: Specialities from the Savoy region with a breathtaking view of Mont Blanc and the
Lac de Roselend. Evening meal in LʼArssiban in Bourg-Saint-Maurice. This is where the
locals eat.
Days 3 and 4: Col dʼIzoard / Jausiers / Pierlas / Jausiers
Lunch at 2,100 metres above sea level in the idyllic Refuge Napoleon on the Col dʼIzoard.
Evening meal in the restaurant Le Grand Siécle in the Villa Morelia by chef Laurent Lemal.
With his first star firmly in his sights, Ducasseʼs pupil creates amazing dishes that show he
really is on the way up.
Day 5: Valberg / Eze
Lunch along the way.
Evening meal at Château de la Chèvre dʼÔr by chef Phillippe Labbé (two Michelin stars).
Experimental cooking at the highest level – Labbé has a third star well within his reach.
Day 6: Nizza / Beaulieu-sûr-mer
Lunch in La Merenda by chef Dominique Le Stanc (Der Feinschmecker (ʻthe gourmetʼ,
German gourmet magazine) says: ʻOnce a star chef, always a star chef: after catering for
a larger clientele in the grand Hôtel Negresco, Dominique Le Stanc has now also
conquered the hearts of diners in his small bistro. Niçoise cuisine of the highest standard.ʼ)
Evening meal in Les Agaves in Beaulieu-sur-Mer. Straightforward Provençal cuisine.
Day 7: Bellet / Monaco
Lunch with wine and olive oil tasting at the Le Clos Saint Vincent winery in Bellet, north of
Nice.
In the evening, THE culinary highlight: meal in Louis XV in Monaco, an Alain Ducasse
restaurant, where the friendly, reserved head chef Franck Cerutti conjures up pure joy for
the palate, leaving a room full of enraptured guests with smiles on their faces.
23. Services Included
The Tour des Niveaux Comfort trip organised by Loeven Sportwagen includes:
• Eight-day experience trip in your own sports car
• Small, but flexible group of max. six couples/sports cars
• Seven overnight stays with breakfast (see trip description for hotels); rooms
mainly in superior or deluxe category with sea or lake views
• Seven lunches
• Seven evening meals
• Luggage service: your luggage will be transported from hotel to hotel and will
be taken to your room before you arrive
• Champagne reception in the Château de Coudrée
• Taxi transfers
• Local taxes
• Guided tour in German, French and English
• Information material
• Tour map with route plans
Price: 6,200 euros per person in double room, excluding beverages.
24. Upgrades
Single room supplement for seven nights
1,870 euros per person
Single room supplement in Sciez
200 euros per person per night
Single room supplement in Bourg-Saint-Maurice
90 euros per person per night
Single room supplement in Jausiers
220 euros per person per night
Single room supplement in Eze
380 euros per person per night
Suites
Junior suite in Château de Coudrée
180 euros per person per night
Garden suite in the Villa Morelia
100 euros per person per night
Junior suite in the Chèvre dʼÔr
240 euros per person per night
Suite in the Chèvre dʼÔr
410 euros per person per night
Drinks and petrol are not included.
Drinks fund
In order to avoid complicated bills in hotels and restaurants, we suggest a drinks fund. At
the start of the trip, each person pays the same amount into the fund (in our experience,
1,600 euros per person is usually sufficient). At the end of the trip, the total will be
calculated. Any money left will be distributed among guests or – as is usually preferred –
spent on charity behalfs. If the amount does not cover the total, i.e. if we have a few too
many fans of Château Latour travelling with us, then everyone must pay some additional
money at the end of the trip (but this has not happened yet).
25. Participant declaration on liability exclusion
(Exclusion of claims against event organiser)
The event organiser assumes no liability for any personal injuries, damage to property and
financial losses that participants (drivers and car owners) may incur.
By submitting a registration form for themselves and any dependents, participants agree that they
have no possibility of recourse to legal action for any damage or accident that occurs in connection
with this event, and that they have no right to action or legal recourse against:
- the event organiser and their assistants;
- drivers, owners or passengers taking part in the event;
- authorities and other individuals who are involved in the organisation and implementation of
the event.
Participants are solely responsible for providing liability waivers (preferably in written form) with
respect to any claims that an assistant may make against a participant for an action that they were
responsible for.
Participants take part in the event at their own risk.
Participants bear the sole civil and legal responsibility for any damage caused to their own vehicle
or a vehicle that they are using, as long as no liability exclusion has been stipulated in accordance
with this declaration or the event organiserʼs terms and conditions.
The applicant/driver must be the owner of the vehicle used in the event. If the applicant/driver is
not the owner of the vehicle used in the event, this declaration and the liability waiver must signed
by the vehicle owner. In accordance with civil law, the applicant/driver is also responsible for
ensuring that the waiver is legally valid. It is not the responsibility of the event organiser to check
this.
The event organiser retains the right to make any changes to the itinerary in the event of an act of
God, for reasons of safety or if required to do so by the authorities. They also reserve the right to
cancel the event due to exceptional circumstances if necessary, without being liable to claims for
damages. The applicant is also required to drive the vehicle named in the declaration. Each
additional driver must sign this declaration before the start of the event.
By submitting the declaration, I unconditionally accept this statement of non-liability!
The undersigned recognises the conditions of this declaration and agrees to adhere to the
provisions/implementation regulations yet to be determined. They confirm that the details entered
here are correct and the registered vehicle complies with road traffic regulations in all respects.
The driver confirms that they possess a valid driving licence.
Signature of the car owner/driver
