Col du Lautaret

Col du Lautaret (2,058 m (6,752 ft)) is a high mountain pass in the department of Hautes-Alpes in France. It marks the boundary between the valleys of the Romanche and the Guisane, a tributary of the Durance which has its source at the col. The valleys are linked by national route 91 (Grenoble – Le Bourg-d'Oisans – Briançon). The Lautaret is one of the lowest points on the ridge line which separates the "north" (mainly in the Rhône-Alpes région) and "south" (mainly in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur région) geographic areas of the French Alps. The Col has long been used as a communication route between Grenoble and Briançon, and as a step for reaching Italy across the Alps through the Col de Montgenèvre. The Col is open all year round and provides good views of La Meije to the south-west and the Grand Galibier to the north. It is also well known for its botanical garden managed by the Université Grenoble Alpes. The route to the south side of the Col du Galibier leaves from the Lautaret.