Global Motorcycle Tours

TOUR ITINERARY

Day 1: 255 miles

From Calais your tour heads quickly south to Reims and to the Champagne region of France. Time saved on the motorway system in the morning enables you to enjoy the rural roads in the afternoon as you take the ‘Champagne Tourist Route’ through the vineyards before finally arriving at your first overnight stay in the beautiful town of Troyes. With narrow cobbled streets and medieval half-timbered buildings this picturesque French town is just waiting to be explored.

Day 2: 250 miles
Your onward journey now continues through the Jura Mountains to the medieval lakeside town of Annecy. Your town centre three star hotel with secure parking is your base for the next two nights. Annecy was once a prison town but now is one of the most popular resorts in France. With a warren of back streets and passages and numerous bars and restaurants it is just waiting to be explored.

Day 3: 170 miles
Standing by the beautiful Annecy lakeside the Alps are clearly visible and serve as an excellent introduction for your included ride-out which takes you to Bourg Saint Maurice and along the St Bernard’s pass.

Day 4: 225 miles
Leaving Annecy behind you begin perhaps one of the more challenging days of the tour as you continue your journey along the ‘Route des Grandes Alpes’ and climb the highest paved mountain pass in the Alps, the Col De I’Izoard. Your base for the next three nights is the 16th century town of Castellane. The town lies directly on the Route Napoleon which has been voted as one of the best motorcycling roads in the world. Whilst here you can choose to relax and discover the surrounding area or take one of our supplied ride-outs which of course includes the famous Route Napoleon.

Day 5 - 6 (supplied ride-outs 84 - 150 miles)
With canyon walls that rise over 12,000 feet from the Verdon River below your carefully planned ride-outs include the spectacular Gorges of Verdon. You will first take the north rim to Moustiers Sainte Marie and then continue along the south rim and the spectacular Corniche Sublime.

The second supplied ride-out takes you over the challenging Col de Alos which although quite narrow in places still affords fantastic views over the surrounding mountains. The ride-out continues as you experience the Col de la Bonette which contains the highest mountain pass in the French Alps.

Day 7: 180 miles
Leaving this stunning area behind you continue over Mont Ventoux which has long been one of the challenges of the Tour de France. Your day ends riding through the Ardeche Gorge whose impressive limestone cliffs wind back and forth and present spectacular views of the canyon below.

Day 8: 190 miles
Today you enter the Cevennes National Park and continue towards another of nature’s wonders, the Gorges Du Tarn. The gorge itself rises over 1,600 feet from the valley floor and is more than 3000 feet wide. To complete the day you continue under and over the famous Millau Bridge. This British designed structure attracts thousands of tourists a year and quite rightfully so. The central pillar is higher than the Eiffel Tower and it is possibly one of the most breathtaking bridges ever built.

Day 9: 286 miles
After spending the night in a family run hotel you continue to the Auvergne national park. This area contains no less than four chains of extinct volcanoes which have shaped the landscape and resulted in some excellent biking roads. It is no coincidence that this area often plays host to the tour de France and today you ride a major section of the route. The town of Orleans is your destination today and your hotel is situated directly on the banks of the River Loire. The old town is only a short walk away so your last night is spent in one of the many restaurants which line the narrow streets. There are also plenty of bars in the area and if you want to take in a few sights there is the fabulous Sainte Croix cathedral, comparable only to Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

Day 10: 265 miles
Following breakfast you head north along the back roads of Centre-Val de Loire region until you eventually join the Autoroute system to the Eurotunnel and your onward journey to Folkestone. Euro Tunnel times are flexible and can be changed to suit individual requirements.

With detailed route maps and GPS coordinates guiding you every step of the way this could just be the self guided tour you have been looking for. The riding in the mountains can as always be challenging but if you are an experienced rider or a competent first timer this tour would be suitable.

INSURANCE
It is recommended that all clients take out appropriate Personal Travel, Accident and Breakdown cover. This is essential for repatriation of yourself and your motorcycle in the event of an accident or medical emergency.