The D1091 road will definitely still be closed at the beginning of May, and indeed for many months more. It's possible to drive to Le Freney d'Oisans and the ski resorts in the Oisans, but you can't get as far as the col du Lautaret because a tunnel close to the lac de Chambon has become unsafe, and massive engineering works will be required.

You will need to drive to Briançon via the town of Gap. you can see the recommended route on http://www.viamichelin.com/

Thanks for your quick answers. Obviously I have to change my route. Probably from Grenoble to Chambery and then via Frejus tunnel.

There is no difference in actual distance between the 2 routes (via Gap or via Fréjus tunnel). You'd save about an hour by going via the Fréjus tunnel (2.5 h instead of 3.5 h via Gap), but it would be a lot more expensive - the toll for the tunnel is now 43.50 euros plus 15.60 euros for motorway tolls. Seems a lot to pay to save an hour, but it's up to you. The scenery on the route via Gap is beautiful, which is certainly not the case for at least half the route via Fréjus.

Now I see I was not clear enough in my previous post. I'm going to change my plan - instead of Briancon I'm going to visit Chambery and then via Frejus to Italy and Slovenia.

I have already travelled by the raod Orange - Gap - Embrun - Briancon - Claviere. I can confirm the road is very beautiful. It was the first time for me to travel by that road. We planned to have lunch in Claviere, the well-known tourist destination. Unfortuntely, it was May and all restaurants were closed, so we hardly found the only open bar to have a cup of coffe :)

I had been planning route options across from Dole to Turin for may 2017 and wondered why aa & other internet rout guides would not do though jopurny along the N91 from Grenoble to Briancon. Presume that these are long term closures and are still in place ?

The Chambon tunnel on the D1091 has been closed for 18 months or more, but latest news is that it is due to be reopened sometime in December 2016, in time for the winter ski season. Lots of information and pics here (but only in French): https://www.isere.fr/actualites/le-grand-tunnel-du-chambon#contexte

For route planning in France, I'd recommend you use http://www.viamichelin.com

@ SplinkNuneaton

The Chambon tunnel on the D1091 reopened temporarily for a couple of months, but it was announced in today's local paper that it will be closed from 6 March 2017 to 13 July 2017. It's going to reopen partially from 13 July to 21 August (but will be closed at night from 25 July to 21 August). The works should be completed in the autumn so that the tunnel can reopen in time for the winter season.

When the tunnel is closed, cars without trailors can use a temporary route on the other side of the lake. Otherwise a diversion is in place via Gap.

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