View Full Version : France trip on bike-anyone been? Where to go? 2 up
I'm taking the missus on a lovely little cheapo holiday to French France next year on the banger, when I get it sorted. I said we'd go South because it'd be nice and warm but I really haven't the foggiest where to go. Ideally we'd like to spend a good few days getting there, stopping at nice places on the way and then having a week or so to chillax. Give me some ideas peeps. Calais and Paris are the most I've travelled over there. Might even go into Spain depending on the distance.
:)
timwilky
15-11-07, 08:37 AM
If your in the south you need to get to Monoco and win some dosh to pay for your holiday. (I did). the whole area St Tropez, st raphael, antibes, Nice is/was all very nice. Get upto Grass and the whole road home trough the French Alps (I think it is known as Rue Napolean) it was when I did it 20 years ago a fantastic ride
Welsh_Wizard
15-11-07, 08:42 AM
I travelled down to Montpelier in the south about 3yrs ago by car and it was an awesome trip down.
We ferried it too Calais then drove straight down the middle passing through some wicked french countryside. We stayed on the toll road which meant that traffic was light and the road quality was like a race track!
Montpelier itself is a lush place to go too - really hot and loads of historic places to visit along with french riviera style beaches. 10/10 from me !!
i thought you were travelling further afield?
Personally I'd head straight through to the south as fast as possible, then meander homewards for a few days. Chill first, sightsee whan you get bored! If not, you could find that the end of your holiday is a mad rush for the ferry!
Luckypants
15-11-07, 09:44 AM
Second Tim's suggestion of the Route Napoleon N85 as a way to cross the mediterranean(?) Alps from Grenoble to Cannes.
Another gem I found this summer on the recommendation of someone on here was to come off the motorway at Dole and take the N5 for Geneva. Stay at the Hotel de Paris in Poligny on the way. An alternative is to turn off the N5 for Nyon on Lake Geneva then follow the lake shoreline to Geneva.
Ohhhhh so many more....
In the summer there is a train that takes you and the bike to the south from calais. Could be worth it when you factor the time, tyres, petrol chain wear.
I think Jelster has written about it at length.
This is what I plan to do next summer as my sister has just moved to that region.
i thought you were travelling further afield?
No not me.
In the summer there is a train that takes you and the bike to the south from calais. Could be worth it when you factor the time, tyres, petrol chain wear.
I think Jelster has written about it at length.
This is what I plan to do next summer as my sister has just moved to that region.
Good plan. Then we could do Bear's suggestion and crawl home. I was looking up a way to get a bike to Scotland on a train to do the End to End but there's no way other than scheduling a trailer on a train yourself as far as I know. Was thinking about putting out feelers to see if a bunch wanted to do it from here but thought most would say to just ride there.
Keep 'em coming!
:)
Luckypants
15-11-07, 10:14 AM
I looked into the train down through France thing and TBH it was bally expensive! I think Jelster and his mates do a deal where they put 4 bikes into a car space and split the cost between them, making it more affordable.
So in the end, I rode down the east side of France, cam accross and rode up though the middle, making a big a circle.
What sort of time frame do I need to keep in mind for getting about? We won't be gunning it as I'll probably have to sedate the missus if the roads aren't very nice. We have done a 1600 mile mini adventure in the states though.
Luckypants
15-11-07, 10:39 AM
I would not try to do more than 500KM in a day on non-motorway roads. Even that is a full day on the bike. To enjoy the view and lunch stops, budget much lower distances.
TBH you will find your own natural rhythm of distance / time. If you don't book accomodation, then you are free to do as you please.
Whatever you do, don't plan big distance days prior to gettting back for the ferry, if things go wrong you will be racing for the ferry and that's when disasters happen.
Yeah we had a few manic days in the States cos all the accomodation was pre-booked and paid for.
If you go out of the main holiday season, there really is no need to book accommodation in advance. We go on spec every year, and have never had a problem. It's also nice to have a plan of where you want to go, but by not booking you don't commit yourself to having to stick to a plan, and if you meet someone en route who suggests a good place to visit, you can do that.
If you are heading south though, one really nice place to visit is the Gorge du Verdun. We stayed in Castellane and paid 40 euro's a night.
http://www.provenceweb.fr/e/groupes/verdon/pays.htm
-Ralph-
15-11-07, 07:38 PM
Reims is a good first stopping point after arriving in France about two hours down the A26 from Calais, see the champage estates.
If your planning to head into Spain, head from there via Troyes across the to Clermont Ferrand using whatever N-roads you like and head south from there south towards Beziers on Frances only free autoroute. You'll pass very close to some fantastic moutain ranges and a selection of tourist attractions including the Gorge Du Tarn which just has to be explored by bike and of course you get to ride under and over the Millau bridge further south (have a walk round the village of Peyre built into the cliff edge near the bridge). Just get some local info and jump off the autoroute onto fantastic roads to get to each attraction you want to visit. Once in the south visit Nimes and the Pont du Gard one day and Carcassone another before heading into Spain and the Pyrenees.
Me and the missus have rented a cottage in june in the north of france and plan to go around normandy, and plan to visit Lemans and the sorrounding areas during the race week.
dizzyblonde
15-11-07, 07:56 PM
have a looky here
http://www.bike-stay.net/france/index.html
I can recommend this one
http://www.bike-stay.net/france/accom/peuplingues.html
don't know where your from but coming from halifax we were very tired getting into Calais, and, never being in France before on a bike was daunting, but this place was really really nice, quiet, 10 mins from Calais in a little village, bike friendly and cheap. Perfect.
i would pack good waterproofs as on the way back we endured 500 miles in the pouring rain- i won't tell you how long it took from Rochefort to Calais.The b and b was booked anyway, but we didn't turn up til 10pm after i'd told them of the difficult weather- we got there to hot soup and a lovely lady to welcome us. France is a lovely place with lovely people. Do plan your trip carefully, its worth it
Me and the missus have rented a cottage in june in the north of france and plan to go around normandy, and plan to visit Lemans and the sorrounding areas during the race week.
I'll see you on the way through. Can you do me snails in the shape of a 30 cos it's my big 30th in June! Yummy. Seriously, if you never have, try snails. Steak Tartare is very good too. No messing.
Got the banger in a few more bits tonight to get rid of the rust. Reckon it's a good way of reducing weight this rust painting over lark!
Thanks for the help chaps. Keep it coming. Was looking up tents yesterday. Found one called kahyem biker which looks pretty good. Oh yeah we're proper roughing it! Had a thought yesterday that it'd be nice to spend a night on a beach.
:)
trickywoos
16-11-07, 10:38 AM
I'm taking the missus on a lovely little cheapo holiday to French France next year on the banger, when I get it sorted. I said we'd go South because it'd be nice and warm but I really haven't the foggiest where to go. Ideally we'd like to spend a good few days getting there, stopping at nice places on the way and then having a week or so to chillax. Give me some ideas peeps. Calais and Paris are the most I've travelled over there. Might even go into Spain depending on the distance.
:)
Hey Mate,
An alternative for you is to head to Perpignan (Get ready for a plug for my parents B&B!!). Check out www.coupdecoeur.co.uk (http://www.coupdecoeur.co.uk) It's a biker B&B, but it's a peaceful family house too!! Secure biking- the best food around, and the best roads that I've ever seen!!!
Check out this link for samples of the roads.... And look at their other videos, as that has some of the other roads on there.....not sure why it's in foreign lingo though!!
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-969972327659130480&q=nigeletmaz&total=2&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=1
It's about 15-20 mins from the spanish border, about 15 mins from the beach, and about 40 mins-1hr I guess (?) to the Pyrenees. But all these amazing roads are not far from the house at all!
You can ride down through france to get there, or get a boat to Spain (Santander I believe). All information is on the website.
And if the other half doesn't fancy the ride down there, she can always fly over cheap with Ryanair!!! (Special offers all the time!) to Perpignan, which is only 10 mins from the B&B.
OK, I'll shut up now, but I hope it's given you another idea to ponder!
-Ralph-
16-11-07, 07:52 PM
Get ready for a plug for my parents B&B!! [in Perpignan]
Perfect if your taking the route I described above. And some nice beaches and wine tasting (Corbieres & Minervois country) around Narbonne / Perpignan if you fancy a few days rest.
-Ralph-
16-11-07, 08:00 PM
Get ready for a plug for my parents B&B!! [in Perpignan]
I'll keep that in mind. I am moving that area in the next year or two, but probably more Aude or Herault 'cos I am most likely to find work in Montpellier, Carcassonne or Toulouse.
My mother wants to go for a holiday next summer to see the area and spend some time on the beaches, wine tasting and sightseeing in the Pyrenees, Camargue, Cevennes regional park, Nimes, etc so I'll mention your parents place.
Get down there much?
[QUOTE=trickywoos;1342629],
An alternative for you is to head to Perpignan (Get ready for a plug for my parents B&B!!). Check out www.coupdecoeur.co.uk (http://www.coupdecoeur.co.uk) It's a biker B&B, but it's a peaceful family house too!! Secure biking- the best food around, and the best roads that I've ever seen!!!
!/QUOTE]
Ah..................I've been chatting to your Dad then in the Euro tour section. We've pretty much decided we'll be heading down to their place next year to stay for a couple of nights, just haven't yet decided when.
A friend of ours stayed with them this year, strangely enough, before we knew of their link with Org:D
Just to drag this post back up - if one of you (or more) is interested in sharing cost of the train down to the south of France in June next year then let me know. Thinking of travelling 2nd week in june
trickywoos
28-11-07, 02:31 PM
I'll keep that in mind. I am moving that area in the next year or two, but probably more Aude or Herault 'cos I am most likely to find work in Montpellier, Carcassonne or Toulouse.
My mother wants to go for a holiday next summer to see the area and spend some time on the beaches, wine tasting and sightseeing in the Pyrenees, Camargue, Cevennes regional park, Nimes, etc so I'll mention your parents place.
Get down there much?
Hey, apologies for late response!! Yes I get down there every other month or so, absolutely love the region!!! I take advantage of Ryanair's special offers regularly and go over for a long weekend! My Dad's just been back to the UK, and brought me lots of the local wine over, so will be happily drinking away!
If you fancy looking at houses in the area, then got another link for you! My Mum runs the B&B but my Dad is an estate agent in the area!!! He'll also prob be able to give u advice should you need it! He is on this forum- I think his name on here is nigelporter .
http://www.france-sud-immobilier.com/ Something for you to have a ponder over!!
Oh, and Lissa- hope you get down there, it's a truly amazing region of france, and the roads are to die for!!!! Enjoy your trip!!! :D
redbouy
28-11-07, 07:27 PM
You can always start the day in one of the cities let the other half wonder around some shops grab the TGV and meet you after a days ride 400 k away. saves the ear bashing, plus it lets you go a little faster:p.
No sleeping on the beaches down here. But camp sites every where. You have to ride Monaco just to do the track. All the marks and corners are permant. Come at the end of may/june and Monaco is still covered in seating and race fittings. Takes about 3 weeks to clear it. Dont think of coming by bike to the GP. parking is "limited" and the prices have doubled.
Italy is 30 kl"s away. pop over there for a day.
timwilky
28-11-07, 10:55 PM
Italy is 30 kl"s away. pop over there for a day.
when we there so many years ago, they wouldn't let us take the bikes into Italy as no papers, after we had been in Monoco so walked in, mooned at the flag and legged it back to France.
As I had won quite a bit of dosh in the casino in Monte Carlo I was forced to buy dinner, ended up in Monton and ate one of the best meals of my life
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