We are travelling to Sienna for a wedding at the end of August with our caravan. I've been researching the options to cross the border and the two routes which are mentioned most often are via the Mont Blanc Tunnel or via the Mont de Cenis Pass. We will be travelling from around Chalons sur Saone area.
Just wondering if anyone has done either/both and which they would recommend.
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The one way toll for each tunnel for car plus caravan is 64 euros . Both have autoroute approaches on both sides - with extra tolls of course. Both are easy.
As you are going in August when all the mountain roads will be open you may choose to avoid those tolls by choosing other routes . Having been to Italy ten or twelve times we have used just about all of them.
Some years ago we were heading for Italy and had intended to use the Mont Cenis Pass but as we left our site at St Jean de Maurienne we found that it was still closed in May so had no choice but to use the Tunnel de Frejus. Its a long tunnel but its a good way into Italy especially if you are heading for the western lakes. Alternatively you could travel via Austria and the Fern and Brenner passes which is a fairly direct route.
The tunnels are great Mont Blanc or frejus a lot farster than going over the top if you want the view then mount cenis it’s a winding road but great fun
I used to drive 38 ton trucks over it
That was 20 + years ago there a weight restrictions now apparently stoping truck going over it
I’m taking my family up there this year car and trailer
Last time I did it was dark and snowing great fun
Enjoy
Tony
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Our daughter was married at Lake Orta in 2015 and we broke our journey near Challons. We then went via the Mont Blanc tunnel. If you are only going for a short time, you can get a return ticket (or could then!), which reduces the price considerably.
This was August, but we didn't take the caravan. However, the roads are fine for towing and we have been through the Mont Blanc tunnel with a caravan in the past.
------------- Freedom is a light caravan and an open road.
Thanks for the replies. We are staying in Italy for about 10 days after the wedding to tour around so the benefit of a return ticket won’t apply. I’ve looked at the Mount Cenis pass on google earth and the road looks to be okay and Netherton says it’s easy (!) so think we might give that a go. If anyone has any experience of other mountain roads I’d love to hear. It’s always good to have a Plan B.
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Yes, it’s both Frejus and Mont Blanc tunnels which are the easy ones. Sorry for the misunderstanding
We have, however, towed a caravan over Mont Cenis Pass, and as Tony Joyce said earlier it was once the main road and HGVs went that way. It is not hugely steep - my old CAMC guide says max gradient 12.5%- and my memory says it was less of a climb on the French side than the Italian. But you do need calm nerves, a good power/ weight ratio, an efficient cooling system, and care not to overheat brakes on the long winding descent down into Italy. The scenery is superb.
The Mont Genevre pass from Briancon and the Col de Larche from Barcelonette are also alternative summer routes from France to Italy - both Ok with a caravan.
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Topic: Mont Blanc or Mont de Cenis Pass
via mobile 22/1/2022 at 11:39am
