Col du Parpaillon

Col du Parpaillon
Entrance to the Col du Parpaillon tunnel
Elevation	2,780 m (9,121 ft)
Traversed by	D29
Location	Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France Hautes-Alpes, France
Range	Alps
Coordinates	44°29′18″N 06°38′46″E
Col du Parpaillon Location of Col du Parpaillon

The Col du Parpaillon is a pass in the Cottian Alps of southern France in the Parpaillon massif. It connects La Condamine-Châtelard, the Ubaye Valley in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department with Crévoux, Embrun in Hautes-Alpes. The crest of the pass rises to 2,780 metres (9,120 ft).

The Parpaillon Tunnel is located below the pass at an elevation of 2,637 metres (8,652 ft). It was built by the French Army starting in 1891, with work on the road and tunnel lasting until 1911, although the tunnel was completed in 1901. The arched tunnel is 520 metres (1,710 ft) in length. It is closed at either end with metal doors. The approach road is not paved and is closed in winter. The curved tunnel is among the highest in Europe.^[1]

The location was considered a strategic point as early as the 18th century. From 1692 to 1694, work proceeded on a military road suitable for artillery, at the urging of General d'Usson. The 19th century military road connects the Fort de Tournoux complex of fortifications to Embrun and points north.^[2]

Luc Moullet's 1992 film Parpaillon describes a bicycle journey over the pass.

See also

• List of highest paved roads in Europe
• List of mountain passes

References

1. Moss, Roger (2009). "Cycling the Route du Parpaillon, Vallée del'Ubaye". www.mountainpassions.com. Archived from the original on November 19, 2010. Retrieved 24 February 2010.
2. Puelinckx, Jean; Aublet, Jean-Louis; Mainguin, Sylvie (2010). "Parpaillon (tunnel du)". Index de la fortification francaise 1874-1914 (in French). fortiff.be. Retrieved 24 February 2010.

External links

• Cycling the Route du Parpaillon, Vallée del'Ubaye at www.mountainpassions.com
• Parpaillon (tunnel du) at fortiff.be (in French)