Day 3 — From Bern to Southern France: Lakes, Borders, and Long Miles

A Warm Night and a Calm Morning in Bern

After a somewhat restless night, the day began quietly. The room had stayed unusually warm, as the air conditioning unfortunately wasn’t working — perhaps an early preview of the temperatures waiting for us further south. Even so, the bed was comfortable, and after a short night we enjoyed a relaxed breakfast around 7:00 a.m., easing into the day. During breakfast in Bern, we were able to watch around ten hot air balloons take off at the same time — it was truly impressive to see.

Bright orange hot air balloon drifts over a misty, hilly landscape, where bare trees line the skyline and row houses with sloped roofs sit in the foreground.

A Quick Visit with Mr. B‑Bear in Bern

Before leaving Bern, we made one last small stop together with our mascot Mr. B‑Bear. Since we were already in the city, it felt only right to pay a visit to his “relatives” at the Bern Bear Park. However, the famous Bernese bears were still fast asleep in their dens, some clearly enjoying the last moments of winter rest. So while Mr. B‑Bear couldn’t meet them in person, at least we stopped by to say hello — even if only symbolically.

Crossing Switzerland Toward Lake Geneva

From Bern, we set off south‑west, crossing Switzerland from one side to the other. By late morning, we reached Lake Geneva. Finding a parking spot turned out to be more challenging than expected, but persistence paid off. Once parked, we took a well‑deserved break, enjoying a latte macchiato and crepe with a beautiful view over the lake and the iconic Jet d’Eau rising into the sky.

Team Insanire pose by lake Geneve with a tall water fountain, boats docked along the shore, clear blue sky, and reflections in their sunglasses

A Stroll Through Geneva’s Old Town

After the coffee stop, we spent some time wandering through Geneva’s old town. Its narrow streets, historic buildings, and relaxed atmosphere made for a pleasant pause between long driving stretches — a reminder that even on transit days, small moments like this add depth to the journey.

Beau Rivage building under a red crane, with a tall conical hedge in the foreground and pedestrians in the square on a sunny blue day.

Into France: Southbound via Lyon and Avignon

Around midday, it was time to move on. We crossed the border into France and continued south, skirting around Lyon rather than driving straight through the city. From there, the route led us past Avignon and onward toward Montpellier, steadily leaving the Alpine landscapes behind. The weather turned, and we got some rainshowers during our drive.

Blue rectangular highway sign on the A41 shows Grenoble 130 km and Annecy 29 km, beside a concrete barrier with pine trees and a cloudy sky in the background.

Evening Arrival and a Safe Stop for the Night

By evening, we arrived at our destination in southern France, where we found a very pleasant hotel. Most importantly, the rally vehicle is safely parked and well accommodated. After a long day on the road, we enjoyed a good dinner, then returned to the hotel to review the plan for the next day.

Team Insnaire sit at a table in a lively venue with purple lighting, a large framed wall art behind them, and a green glass along with yellow menus on the table.

Looking Ahead

Today’s stage covered around 600 kilometers — fewer than yesterday, but crossing Switzerland and another international border naturally takes time. Tomorrow, we plan to drive longer and cover more distance. According to the Roadbook, the rough target would be somewhere around Valencia – Spain, although we’ll see how far we actually get.

For now, it’s time to get some rest. Another full day on the road awaits.