10 Day From The UK to The Grande Alpes Guided Motorbike Tour in Belgium, France, and Luxembourg

Overview

Martelange, Belgium; Dijon - Grenoble - Sisteron - Castellane - Barcelonette - Chamonix - Besançon, France; Bascharge, Luxembourg

Highlights

• Ride your own motorbike from the UK
• Climb high through the French and Italian cols
• Zip through the Provence of Southern France
• Clip the clear lower Alpine lakes
• Bilingual UK guide on a bike
• Return crossing with Le Shuttle
• 9 nights accommodation

Itinerary

1. Day 1: Folkestone - Martelange (403 kilometers / 250 miles)

   You will meet up early at the services near the Folkestone Le Shuttle terminal, for a quick forecourt coffee, before all board a train at the same time. If you have not taken your motorbike into the tunnel, it can be a little daunting, but your guide will be with you every step of the way (except passport control, where they do not like you hanging around). 35 minutes later, you will be in the land of baguettes, ready for a run through northern France to Martelange in Belgium. You will try to miss out any toll routes today, staying on the slower but more scenic A roads instead. Around 7 hours

2. Day 2: Martelange - Dijon (354 kilometers / 220 miles)

   What is a baguette and cheese without mustard? And wine! It is a winding but paced route today, passing through two national parks and hopefully following the rivers heading south. Tonight, you rest outside of Dijon. Famous for mustard and wine! You will be next to the Romanee Conti wine estate, home of possibly the most expensive wine in the world! Pass yourself a bottle opener.

3. Day 3: Dijon - Grenoble (322 kilometers / 200 miles)

   This is an easier day's riding, so you may detour into the French Alps for some more interesting routes. After leaving the lowlands between the Central Massif and the French Alps, you will start climbing into the lower mountains. The scenery changes here as you are gradually heading into ski country. Grenoble marks the end of the Route Napoleon (yeah, you are doing it backwards but it makes a better ride).

4. Day 4: Grenoble - Sisteron (322 kilometers / 200 miles)

   This is why you are there. Today, you start the Route Napoleon (from the end) and mark the beginning of the end of Napoleon's era. Short history lesson, Napoleon was exiled to the island of Elba, where he escaped and returned to France with 1000 men, marched up the 'Route Napoleon' to Grenoble, increasing his troops, and ended up at Waterloo! And you all know the Abba song that relays the rest of history. Quick detour to Combe Laval and the balcony roads of Col du Machine. This balcony road is up there in Europe's craziest roads. You are staying in Sisteron, famous for its fortified citadel on

5. Day 5: Sisteron - Castellane (242 kilometers / 150 miles)

   Back on the Route Napoleon but you will divert after Gap to ride through the Gorges du Verdon. This is the deepest canyon in Europe and is pretty, although it can be full of pesky caravans some days. You will spend most of the day exploring these canyon roads and know a top 'Italian' pizzeria tucked away in the gorge. Castellane is as far south as you go on the Route Napoleon. Although only 150 miles, this is a full day of hop-on, hop-off riding as the opportunities for photos are endless.

6. Day 6: Castellane - Barcelonette (242 kilometers / 150 miles)

   Route Grande Alpes. You are going high today, up Europe's highest paved road, Col de la Bonnette. This road is nothing less than awesome! You can see for miles, and it is pretty much just bikers most days. After obligatory photos at the top, you will head down the other side into Barcelonette for the evening.

7. Day 7: Barcelonette - Chamonix (274 kilometers / 170 miles)

   Today is a col hunt! You are continuing north, running parallel to your route south earlier in the week but heading up the Route Grande Alpes. Mont Blanc is your playground today, with gorgeous plains surrounded by snowy peaks. Your route will take you through as many mountain passes as you can fit in, whilst heading towards Mont Blanc.

8. Day 8: Chamonix - Besançon (242 kilometers / 150 miles)

   Switzerland! No vignettes or tolls, but you are slipping into the land of chocolate and cuckoo clocks for some Alpine air. You are leaving the mountains behind as the countryside gets very green. Cows with bells around their necks, wooden chalets, crystal clear lakes, and yodelling. Inevitably, you will be stopped at the border and asked to get Swiss vignettes, but you do not need them as you are not going anywhere near the motorways today. You are cutting around Geneva today, a little sightseeing but this is a through route into the Vosges mountain range.

9. Day 9: Besançon - Bascharge (403 kilometers / 250 miles)

   Vosges mountain range. You are leaving the snow behind and heading into glorious winding roads up through the Vosges. Although 250 miles, this is quite a 'paced' day. Fast sweeps instead of twisties. You may dip into Luxembourg and will be staying on the outskirts of Bascharage, famous for its breweries.

10. Day 10: Bascharge - Folkestone (403 kilometers / 250 miles)

    Boo hoo, time to head home but before you do that, get a bit of Luxembourg and Belgium done. You normally route through the picturesque town of Dinant (birthplace of the dude who invented the Saxophone) and wiggle your way into northern France before hitting the relatively boring motorway up to Coquelles. An easy ride onto the train and you have 35 minutes to reminisce about your trip, swap contacts with your newfound riding buddies, and plan your next adventure.

Ride Details

Terrain

asphalt

Bike

personal bike

Mileage

3219 kilometers / 2000 miles

Daily rides

321.9 kilometers / 200 miles

Riding gear

not included

Meals

all breakfasts

Accommodation

You will stay in various accommodations arranged by the Moto Travel Dude team. A mix of good-quality hotels, family-run lodges, and B&Bs is waiting for you. All hotels have private or secure parking.

Food

Breakfasts are included at all hotels. These are a mix of fresh continental breakfasts and usually some hot offering. Always with plenty of tea and coffee!

Getting There

Starting from Folkestone and ending in Folkestone. This ultimate motorcycle adventure will take you through the majestic roads of the Vercors mountain range, follow parts of the Route de Grande Alpes, riding the highest paved through road in Europe, and back to the Vosges mountains. Discover amazing tarmac, the beauty of the national parks on the French-Swiss border, and the jaw-dropping balcony r