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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsThe Forbidden Road of the French Alps
It might look like a travelers paradise, but this picturesque road is counted amongst the most dangerous in the world. Known as les Grands Goulets and built between 1843 and 1854, the legendary route is carved out of the cliffs of Vercors, a massif of mountains in the Rhône alpes region of France. After 156 years of leading travellers through the mountains by its winding and narrow road, the French government were forced to permanently close the historic road in 2005 after a series of fatal accidents.
After its eventual closure in 2005, a modern 1.7 km tunnel was built to replace the route from Pont-en-Royans to Les Barraques. Today the old road sits abandoned and untravelled. Not even cyclists or hikers are allowed to venture its long and winding route. While there are rumours that it might re-open for such purposes, the tourism office maintains that les Grands Goulets and its spectacular sights are closed forever and closed to all.
Luckily we have those crafty urbex explorers willing to bend the rules! French photographer Baptiste Ales gained access to the road in 2012 and snapped these awesome shots of the empty road. It appears to remain in good condition, if not a little eerie and slightly overgrown. For 2km, he ventured alone to immortalise this legendary but forbidden road in its magnificent setting
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http://www.messynessychic.com/2013/10/03/the-forbidden-road-of-the-french-alps/
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The Forbidden Road of the French Alps (Original Post)
n2doc
Dec 2013
OP
I think the reason the worst part is closed is due to unpredictable rock slides
Major Nikon
Dec 2013
#2
petronius
(26,602 posts)1. Beautiful! Looks like it should be used as a hiking route at least, and I
would think cyclists could negotiate it safely. Hope they open it...
Major Nikon
(36,827 posts)2. I think the reason the worst part is closed is due to unpredictable rock slides
Which is why they don't let anyone through.
B Calm
(28,762 posts)3. It's a paved road. At least they
are ahead of Indiana in that category!