Route panoramique : la route de Villard-Notre-Dame

It's quite amazing that this road was ever built and the mountainside is so steep. It’s not quite the Bolivian “carretera de la muerte”, but you do need to drive with utmost care. The tunnels are simple galleries dug out of the rock.
The disturbing closeness of the rockface steadies your nerves! But these shudders are the price to be paid for reaching the peaceful village of Villard Notre Dame. The magnificent, narrow, RD 219 is one of the most picturesque roads in Oisans. It was built between 1937 and 1939, under the impetus of local member of parliament, senator and minister, Joseph Paganon. Sculpted out of the vertical rock face and featuring picturesque tunnels, the road offers superb views over the Romanche and Vénéon valleys.
After going through a forest and just before arriving in Villard-Notre-Dame, you can admire the high alpine scenery surrounding the village. One of the last bends offers a lovely view of the point where the lower Vénéon valley meets the untamed mountain stream gushing down from the Rochail glacier, with its superb waterfalls.

Drive carefully as the road is narrow and winding, with tight passing places.