Destination: France – a Roadtrip across Switzerland in 2 days

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It doesn't alway have to be Goliath – give David a Chance! This time, we left the Porsche 911 in the garage and hit the road with the Porsche 718 Cayman instead. Join us on this road trip – because this is one adventure you’ll definitely want to recreate.

If you're tempted to do the same and give your own car a break while putting Porsche’s lightweight models to the test, check out availability on our website. Whether you want to rent a Porsche Cayman or a Porsche Boxster, CarVia has you covered.

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Road trip to France via Switzerland: On the road in a Porsche Cayman

Our journey begins at Motorworld in the north of Munich, where our Porsche Cayman waits patiently, ready for the adventure ahead. After a quick briefing from the team, we’re good to go. Thanks to the proximity to the highway, we swiftly leave Munich behind and merge onto the A96.

Even at this early stage, we’re thrilled with our choice of car – the Porsche Cayman delivers impressive performance. We cruise through the Allgäu region on a mostly open highway toward Lake Constance. The Cayman already proves two of its key strengths: it responds instantly when pushed while remaining calm and efficient in normal mode.

Our drive on the A96 ends in Lindau, a charming town with a beautiful old town right next to the picturesque Lake Constance. From here, it’s just a short hop across the Swiss border. The Porsche roars with excitement as it gets its first taste of the winding Alpine roads. The breathtaking landscapes of Lake Lucerne (Vierwaldstättersee) soon come into view, leaving us speechless. Caught up in the moment, we ease off the gas – some roads demand to be enjoyed at a slower pace, so nothing gets missed.

Pit Stop in Lucerne: Passing Lake Geneva

In Lucerne, we give the Cayman a short break and take the opportunity to explore the charming old town under the bright sun. The highlight here is the iconic Chapel Bridge, a stunning wooden structure stretching across the Reuss River. After a quick snack and a coffee, we slide back into the driver’s seat, and as the turbocharged mid-engine roars to life, adrenaline courses through our veins.

Leaving Lucerne behind, we pass Lake Sempach on our way to Bern. The Porsche Cayman devours the miles effortlessly, and before long, we arrive at Lake Geneva. Surrounded by towering mountains, the lake offers a truly breathtaking panorama. South of Geneva, we cross the French border and follow the A47 past Lake Annecy and Lake Bourget, pressing on toward our next destination.

The Chartreuse Regional Nature Park stretches across an impressive 76,700 hectares, showcasing the raw beauty of the French Alps. Nestled between rolling alpine meadows and dense forests, the majestic Chartreuse Massif rises in the distance. This region is famous for its thrilling mountain passes, winding their way through the rugged landscape, promising an unforgettable driving experience.

Arrival in France: Saint-Marcel-d'en-Haut to Grenoble

The road through Saint-Marcel-d'en-Haut is undoubtedly one of the most stunning routes in the region. But amidst the winding switchbacks, the breathtaking scenery becomes merely a backdrop – the Cayman’s mid-engine layout provides perfect weight distribution, allowing it to grip every hairpin turn with precision. This is pure driving joy.

Curve after curve, we carve our way through the pass until, all too soon, we leave it behind and descend through the Chartreuse Nature Park into the picturesque city of Grenoble. With its charming streets, lively squares, and the dramatic backdrop of the Alps, Grenoble is a true hidden gem. The city’s 2,000-year history is fascinating, but its views of Mont Blanc and the surrounding peaks are equally mesmerizing. This would be a perfect place to stop for the night, but with the Cayman at our command, we’re far from ready to call it a day.

One last Stretch: Heading to Montbrun-les-Bains & Château d'Aulan

After a brief stop, we continue our drive south in the Porsche. The evening sun casts a golden glow over the green slopes of Mont Aiguille, illuminating the landscape in a breathtaking light.

A little while later, we reach Montbrun-les-Bains, a charming little mountain village in southern France with just 421 inhabitants. It’s one of the most beautiful places in France, with its medieval buildings, like the parish church and the Tour l’Horloge, adding to the village’s unique charm.

Not far from here is Château d'Aulan, an impressive medieval castle located about 8 kilometers north of Montbrun-les-Bains. Perched at around 750 meters in elevation near the border of the Vaucluse département, the castle is open to visitors in the summer months.

As twilight sets in, we take a moment to care for our trusty companion – the Porsche. We fill it up, knowing that tomorrow’s adventure awaits. After a wonderful but long day, we sink into soft beds. As we drift off to sleep, we can’t help but look forward to the incredible views that will greet us in the morning.

Day 2: Over the Col de Menée to Châtillon-en-Diois

The next day, after an early breakfast, we jump into the car. Door closed, seatbelt fastened, engine roaring to life. Ahead of us lie countless kilometers, and the excitement for the winding curves is palpable.

The route takes us over the Col de Menée, which ascends to an impressive 1,400 meters. The narrow road, easily handled by the Cayman, offers a fascinating driving experience, crowned by a breathtaking view of the Vercors Regional Nature Park. Soon, we reach our destination: the idyllic, sleepy wine-growing region of Châtillon-en-Diois. Unfortunately, the wine remains out of reach, but the drive is intoxicating in its own way.

A detour on the way home: the Klausenpass

A final highlight awaits us and the 718 Cayman on the way back. We take a slight detour and drive over one of Switzerland’s most beautiful passes: the Klausenpass. Once used for motorsport, this challenging road is the perfect conclusion to this wonderful journey. Here, the Cayman truly comes into its own, showing just what it’s made for. Porsche means motorsport, and you can feel it in every corner, in every acceleration.

Happy and content, we head home with many fond memories of an unforgettable time. There were no wishes left unfulfilled on this trip, except perhaps one: keeping the Cayman.

Want to experience how the "little Porsche" feels? Head over to our booking page, where you can easily and non-bindingly check the availability of our Porsche Cayman and Boxster. If you're craving full Porsche power, we also offer the Porsche 911 Turbo and even the Porsche GT3 RS in our fleet.