France in July/August

[dyzio]

Hi all,
Me and some friends are thinking about a trip to France, I've never been there so don't have any experience.
I've made up a rough route, but I'm slightly concerned about accommodation as we don't want to carry tents with us and want to stay in some cheap motels or b&b's (something like Formule1 motels, 40euro for a room for 3).
The first two days are easy to plan. Crossing the channel and staying in F1 in Dunkirk on the first day, and heading to Lyon on the second day (F1 motel again).
After that we'd like to stay clear of motorways and head south, with another stop somewhere around Gap. After that, there would be two 3-4 day stops. I was thinking Villeneuve Loubet and Montpellier.
I've spoken to a few people at work and got mixed feedback. Some say it's a bad idea to head to the south of France in that time of the year with no accommodation booked, others that it shouldn't be a problem.
Of course we could book all the rooms in advance, but that would require keeping to a schedule and we'd like to avoid that and be a bit spontaneous.

Can anyone offer some advice?

Thanks
dyzio

[maviczap]

The guy who fits my tyres did a trip to France. He stayed in F1 hotels on his route and said it was great, saved a lot of hassle carrying all the extra kit. Good bed and able to shower every night.

Accom was good, better than F1's here

Beaware of the plod, as he got stopped. But all the plod wanted to do was look at his GSXR:rolleyes:

He said that the French drivers were very considerate to bikers.

So at the mo, its ticking all the right boxes

[dyzio]

Cheers, any idea if he booked it in advance or just stopped somewhere and looked for one?

[maviczap]

Booked them all in advance if I remember correctly, worked out the route, then booked the hotels

[ridelikeaturtle]

I've been across France a couple times now, and I can tell you that it's well worth it to NOT stay in F1 Hotels. The showers and bathrooms are communal (one per several rooms) and there's no restaurant or bar. And there's no Wifi. The worst part is it wasn't that much cheaper.

Get a "rough guide" use that to find a nice hotel or a decent campsite, or stay at an Ibis (or similar). You'll appreciate the difference.

I stayed at an Ibis in Poitiers, and they even let me park the bike right up by the front door - very slim chance anyone would dare mess with it. Most F1's are in dodgy industrial estates.

Sorry to continue to rain negativity (!), but I wouldn't go to France in August. Everyone and all their kids are on holiday. The roads beaches are unbelievably crowded. And it's hot - your bike, and your leathers, won't like you.

September is MUCH better. I spent the whole month there and it was perfect. And the ferries are cheaper too. And the final positive of September is you won't need to book hotels in advance, as everyone (barring the retired) are done with their holidays. This also frees you up to stay an extra day somewhere you really like, or leave early somewhere you don't like so much.

Enjoy!

[dyzio]

No worries mate, I appreciate all feedback.

I knew about the communal showers, the lack of a bar and wifi doesn't bother me that much.
As for price, looks like Ibis is charging £48 for a (single?) room (+ parking), whereas F1 is 40 euro max for a room for 3, works out just over a tenner per head.

As for date, unfortunately we have to compromise between work/family and college commitments so June and September don't look good.

But as said, thanks for the feedback. Still plenty of time to work things out.

[maviczap]

If you were camping, the showers would also be comunal ;)

[ridelikeaturtle]

If you were camping, the showers would also be comunal ;)

True; but you'd also have a pool, a restaurant, bar, safe parking, and a lot of cool people (French, German and Belgian) to hang out with and talk about bikes.

I guess 3 people in a single F1 room makes it much cheaper (for a single person it's definitely not worth it IMO).

I just spent two hours chipping ice from the sidewalk. Just thinking about such a trip is warming me up!

[STRAMASHER]

Been in France in these months and never had a problem with accomodation "out in the sticks." I only book if we are staying 4-5 days on the med. Bag a nice hotel by the beach to chill out. Apart from that there is loads of choice and accomodation. If I want a chain place (soaked to the skin usually) i go for Ibis. Obviously, the earlier you look for digs (say 4pm) the less possible probs you will encounter.

We usually head to Dijon after the ferry then cut into Switzerland on more than decent roads (N5 to Nyon,) then towards Geneva down the side of Lake Geneva and into the Alps. (Annecy is gorgeous)

Is there a reason you are just skirting the edge of the Alps? Best riding in Europe. Off season in the Hotels etc. All the really high passes open. (Not so even in late June)

[dyzio]

Is there a reason you are just skirting the edge of the Alps? Best riding in Europe. Off season in the Hotels etc. All the really high passes open. (Not so even in late June)

Well, yes and no...
The two first days we would be doing 500 miles each day (Scotland-Dover, Dunkirk-Lyon) , so I wanted to take it easy after that (200-250 mile days).
Other than that, I don't know the area/routes at all...

Hmm.. say you're somewhere around Lyon and have 2-3 days riding to get to Nice area, what route would you suggest?

[STRAMASHER]

Its a difficult choice for 3 days riding.

Easiest is Lyon -Grenoble - Gap - D900- Digne Les Bains - Castellane - Grasse.

West of Castellane is the Gorge Du Verdon which you can loop and is a mind blower on the bikes. I would not want to miss it. If you go you will take these pictures too cos everybody has the same ones!:p

Verdon Gorge
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g87/stramasher/gorgedeverdon4.jpg

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g87/stramasher/gorgedeverdon3.jpg

[dyzio]

So we're more or less thinking about a similar route :)

I came up with this:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=lyon&daddr=aiton+to:valloire+to:le+lauzet+to:la+breole+ to:gap,+france&hl=en&geocode=FYNaugIdGcRJACmXh-hqUer0RzHwIbvkKqsIBA%3BFRE0twIdbHtfAClZbkMxXciLRzF Np5DZXeFlvg%3BFa0rsQIdOBhiACkXg3xjEiGKRzGuNBSqF1Kg _w%3BFRjdrgId2J9iACl1VdO4OvaJRzFQJvuRqBkICg%3BFX9a pgIdRgpgAClVhGRrLmTLEjHgtZf9pRkIBA%3BFR3upwId_bVcA CnVE6LYeD_LEjFgp5f9pRkIBA&mra=ls&dirflg=ht&doflg=ptm&sll=44.935641,6.152344&sspn=1.399901,2.469177&ie=UTF8&ll=44.613934,6.240234&spn=2.815436,4.938354&z=8

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=gap,+france&daddr=chorges+to:la+breole+to:isola+to:moulinet+to :menton+to:VILLENEUVE+LOUBET&hl=en&geocode=FR3upwId_bVcACnVE6LYeD_LEjFgp5f9pRkIBA%3BF TO0pwIdisxfACnBt6H6n13LEjEGezDpM08R6w%3BFX9apgIdRg pgAClVhGRrLmTLEjHgtZf9pRkIBA%3BFRc6ogIdd5JrACm9--AggP_MEjFPgOa10wq38g%3BFeeAngIdmB5xACmpalGDwL3NEjG Qmpf9pRkIBA%3B%3B&mra=ls&dirflg=ht&doflg=ptm&sll=43.69568,7.404785&sspn=2.859572,4.938354&ie=UTF8&z=9

That's for 2 days riding, stay somewhere south for 3 days, and maybe do another trip back up, like this:

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=VILLENEUVE+LOUBET&daddr=clans+to:beuil+to:bayasse+to:allos+to:Barr%C 3%AAme,+Alpes-de-Haute-Provence,+Provence-Alpes-C%C3%B4te+d%27Azur,+France+to:escragnolles+to:VILL ENEUVE+LOUBET&hl=en&geocode=FaUrmgIdSqtsACkhUzF1bdPNEjFR0fPny10sRQ%3BF VdTnwIdzRNtACk9lusui7HNEjFQnZf9pRkIBA%3BFXPVoAIdr6 FqACn17lMDR1HMEjFvsPVxjOik-g%3BFaQkpAIdltVmACmRRCqD14zMEjHRfzn8phkIJg%3BFYsPo wId-SVlAClNBdpCO4nMEjFAt5f9pRkIBA%3BFYmnngIdDSRhACkNoQ uv8orLEjGAtpf9pRkIBA%3B%3B&mra=ls&doflg=ptm&sll=43.71479,6.814957&sspn=0.178668,0.308647&ie=UTF8&ll=43.954271,6.887054&spn=0.711809,1.234589&z=10

[STRAMASHER]

Harder is going and doing some of the famous Cols/passes. Biking heaven. Its possible to take numerous routes down through the mountains, or cut in and head down but probably my number one would be..

Chamonix Tunnel - Italy , back into France over Col de Petit StBernard - Bourg StMaurice - Col d'Iseran - Valloire - Col Galibier - Briancon.

Briancon - Col Izoard - Col de Vars - Col de Bonetta (the daddy) - then any road south or cut west to N85 or east to Sospel. More gnarly roads. :smt026

Col Galibier at the end of June. Feckin Baltic!
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g87/stramasher/MontBlanc.jpg

Its along way down from where you are but just want to give you some ideas as for all that effort of a journey you might as well hit roads that will fry your head,non?:)

[STRAMASHER]

http://www.viamichelin.co.uk/web/Maps

Much better for spotting good roads. "Scenic/tourist" routes in green. And they mark the Cols and with heights.

Col gen...

http://www.alpineroads.com/alpmap.php

[-Ralph-]

Nice area to visit and fantastic roads. Enjoy Dyzio!

[dyzio]

Thanks,
I kinda missed the point where it said that a room for 3 people is a room with a double bed one single, so that would be good for 2 guys :/

Maybe it's possible to rent something like a wigwam/caravan/chalet, like at the campsites over here?

[-Ralph-]

so that would be good for 2 guys :/

I've had to sleep in a double bed besides another guy on a few occasions in my lifetime, the threat of a punch in the face if you feel so much as a toe during the night usually makes it safe enough. Don't forget your PJ's though. :p (EDIT: and your earplugs!)

[Gerry]

If you can't wait until July, we (Wiltshire Bikers) and having a blast over there on 12/13th June.

Getting the Folkstone tunnel at about mid day on Sat, hotel Sat night in FeCamp (not a clue where that is, must Google it sometime) ride out on Sun and back home Sun night.

If anybody is interested, PM me.

Costs about £40.00 hotel & £28.00 tunnel, or so I'm told.

Looks to be about 15 of us at the mo.

G

[dyzio]

To be honest, there's no start date yet. Looks like we might start early July.

Hmm..
I started looking into renting a house/apartment :) They are roughly the same price as caravans/mobile homes...

Anything I should watch out for?

[Tim in Belgium]

You'll be stuck in one place......

[dyzio]

You'll be stuck in one place......
That's part of the plan.

[Gerry]

To be honest, there's no start date yet. Looks like we might start early July.

In that case even more point in joining us (see post 18) :)

[Haluk]

Cheers, any idea if he booked it in advance or just stopped somewhere and looked for one?

If you're on a tight budget I would recomend booking in advance. Yes you will have to keep to a schedule but that's not too difficult really, since mostly you'll have all day to get to your next stop.

You'll be free and can be sponateous otherwise but may run the risk of paying over the odds for rooms if landlord sees you're desperate for accommodation.

[Tim in Belgium]

Early September I was paying 36-46 euro a night for a twin room (so cheap when divided by two) and that sometimes included breakfast, that was just turning up and no advanced booking. That was France/Italy/Germany

[dyzio]

That's really cheap Tim,
I'm just one of the people that's constantly worried about something (what if we can't find a place etc).
Another thing is that none of us have never visited France (let alone speak French).

How did you look for the rooms? Just ride into a town and look for a "vacancies" sign?

[Tim in Belgium]

Just looked for hotels in small towns, nothing flash, or asked at the local tourist office for cheap places to stay. Going just out of season helped, there are loads of places in the alps, also on the plus side I speak a bit of french which helps.

[nigel]

Hi, if I may add my thoughts, as many of you know we run a B+B near the spanish border, there are many Biker friendly B+B's throughout france which also have a secure garage or workshop facilities, most also speak english and provide evening meals on demand. There are times , when in a foreign country, it is nice to just unwind after a great days riding and not have to do battle with the local lingo, have a great meal , a few bevvies and get ones head down for the next day. If you stay at hotels there is always that nagging doubt that when you come down in the morning , your pride and joy will not be there.
Also rather than do a round trip it is also worth looking at going to one spot, then unload all your gear and take days trips out.
This is what most people do when they stay here take a look at this site which has a write up of one of our roads here as well as watch 4 videos of the best biking road in the world.
Dont forget you can always email us and ask questions even if you dont visit us , info costs nothing as forward planning always helps.

[dyzio]

Thanks Nigel,
If we go ahead with the provisional route, your place would be too far of it. But thanks anyway.

Any chance you'd have a link to the biker friendly b&b's?
I wouldn't mind staying in one place for a week, but I know the rest of the group would :/

[Geeman]

The two first days we would be doing 500 miles each day (Scotland-Dover, Dunkirk-Lyon) , so I wanted to take it easy after that (200-250 mile days).


You thought about Scotland to Hull, and an overnight ferry to Zeebrugge? It leaves Hull at 5pm and you arrive on the continent at 0930, rested, showered and ready to ride...

Saves the long ride to the Dover... :-k

[Luckypants]

You thought about Scotland to Hull, and an overnight ferry to Zeebrugge? It leaves Hull at 5pm and you arrive on the continent at 0930, rested, showered and ready to ride...

Saves the long ride to the Dover... :-k

I have used these plenty of times in the past, but these days are too expensive compared with going to Dover for me. Might be worth it from Scotland though! You have to book a cabin so you do sleep ok and get a good start the next day. Be careful of the road surface on the motorway through Belgium though.

If you end up going to Dunkirk, I can recommend the Formula1 at Grand Synthe in Dunkirk. I catch an evening ferry these days and stay there when I go over. I also sleep there before an early ferry on the way home too. €31 last time I looked and you can sleep 3 in a room, but is best booked in advance. I can let you know about places to eat if you stay there, because F1's are normally in industrial areas away from town centres.

[Luckypants]

Can I just back up what Tim and others have said about just turning up in a town and finding an hotel? I have done this many times and always had a great hotel. Such as this place about an hour north of Lyon...http://www.lechardon-chardonnay.com/Welcome.html found it on a kayaking holiday in 1994 and used several times - but not for a few years and it seems to have been taken over recently - it was being run by a pair of ancient sisters.

or this discovered on my 2007 trip, near the start of the excellent N5 :cool: http://www.hotel-de-paris.fr/affiche.asp?arbo=2&num=1 (bit more expensive but a lovely place) Poligny is a gem too.

Just go to the local 'Office de Tourisme' and ask about hotels. Most towns have them and they are well signed.

I also have a Logis de France guide / catalogue that has hundreds of great hotels in it.

[Geeman]

It's marginal... but then that's half the fun when you're planning it...

Depends where you're coming from I suppose but rather than do the 500 mile ride to Dover, you could do 200 miles to Hull and get a standard double bunk cabin for £145 each (based on 2 sharing).


Going the Dover route means £30 for the ferry, an extra 600 miles in petrol, say £75, and you still have to find 2 nights accomodation for £40 to make it worth your while...

I know what I'd do if I was planning a 500 mile ride the next day... Hull! ;)

[dyzio]

I didn't think about the Hull Ferry because of costs, although I didn't really know what they were. All depends on sailing times me thinks...

LP,
I'll speak to you later about that place in Dunkirk.
As for F1 rooms, they are labelled as for 3, but I think it means something like 2+1.
They also offer twin room, which with breakfast would work out around 20 euro per person with breakfast.

[Luckypants]

All depends on sailing times me thinks...

IIRC they are very convenient, they used to sail at 6pm and arrive in Zeebrugge about 8am. You are off and rolling into Europe by 9am with a full cooked in your belly :D

As for F1 rooms, they are labelled as for 3, but I think it means something like 2+1.
They also offer twin room, which with breakfast would work out around 20 euro per person with breakfast.

F1 rooms are generally a double bed with bunk over that. If blokes are a bit squeamish about sharing a bed, top and tail to spare your blushes. The F1 breakfast is a very simple affair, normally bread and jam with coffee, but is self service so you can load up.

[-Ralph-]

If blokes are a bit squeamish about sharing a bed, top and tail to spare your blushes.

But given your mates feet will have been in biking boots the entire day, make sure he washes between his toes, before you sleep with your nose next to them!

[Geeman]

IIRC they are very convenient, they used to sail at 6pm and arrive in Zeebrugge about 8am. You are off and rolling into Europe by 9am with a full cooked in your belly :D

Yup, that's what the website says... Would mean you are rested, fed and ready to go for the day...

Sounds a good option to me.

[dyzio]

Looks like there are 2 ferries from Hull (Zeebrugge and Rotterdam).

The Zeebrugge crossing is 19 departure - 9 arrival, £350ish for 4 people in 1 room (that's for 1 bike only, can't book 4 bikes online at the same time I think)

[-Ralph-]

There is also a good ferry from Rosyth to Zeebrugge, but it's expensive, probably more than the additional petrol to get to Hull and back.

[Luckypants]

Looks like there are 2 ferries from Hull (Zeebrugge and Rotterdam).

The Zeebrugge crossing is 19 departure - 9 arrival, £350ish for 4 people in 1 room (that's for 1 bike only, can't book 4 bikes online at the same time I think)

Is that £350 each or between you? If between you I suspect it will be a bit more, but probably worth ringing them to see if you can book as a group and get a discount on the cabin. If it works out at less than £100 each, I'd definitely be going from Hull!

[dyzio]

350 for four people, 1 cabin, 1 bike (can't book more than 1 bike online).

Looks worth looking into.

[Tim in Belgium]

Ring them up to get the best deal with a multi vehicle/cabin share booking.

[dyzio]

Hull - Zeebrugee, 3 people, 3 bikes - £380

[Luckypants]

Take their arm off. 5/6 hours less motorway bashing both ways. 250 miles less petrol both ways. No hotel at Dunkirk.

no brainer IMO :D

[dyzio]

Another set of questions, mainly for the motorway:
- is it possible to buy a weekly motorway pass?
- are service stations marked like in Germany for example (next station in xx miles)?

LP, I'll probably bug you about this with a road map at the GM as well if you don't mind ;)

[Triton]

Another set of questions, mainly for the motorway:
- is it possible to buy a weekly motorway pass?
- are service stations marked like in Germany for example (next station in xx miles)?

LP, I'll probably bug you about this with a road map at the GM as well if you don't mind ;)

Service stations every 10kms and marked, just use you credit card at the tolls (keep it in handy pocket)

[dyzio]

Service stations every 10kms and marked, just use you credit card at the tolls (keep it in handy pocket)

Looks like this won't be necessary after all, if things go well we might avoid motorways unless necessary.


How do these routes look to you?

Staying in Chambery for 2 days:
- day 1 (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Chamb%C3%A9ry,+France&daddr=Beaufort,+France+to:Val-d%27Is%C3%A8re,+France+to:Modane,+France+to:Chamb% C3%A9ry,+France&hl=en&geocode=FfBKtwId21haACljX2kIV6iLRzGciT2mzxrC1Q%3BF aqYuQIdblRkAClfUsD3iN-LRzHAt7rkKqsIBA%3BFRR-tQId-oJqACmT-1_9CQmJRzEwqLrkKqsIBA%3BFee4sQIdB9JlACmpnqsdII6JRz FkwkLiVVa3WQ%3B&mra=ls&doflg=ptm&sll=45.285516,6.887054&sspn=0.696633,1.234589&ie=UTF8&ll=45.420624,6.466827&spn=0.694972,1.234589&z=10)
- day 2 (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Chamb%C3%A9ry,+France&daddr=Valloire,+France+to:La+Grave,+France+to:Notr e-Dame-de-M%C3%A9sage,+France+to:D512+to:Chamb%C3%A9ry,+Fran ce&hl=en&geocode=FfBKtwId21haACljX2kIV6iLRzGciT2mzxrC1Q%3BF a0rsQIdOBhiACkXg3xjEiGKRzGuNBSqF1Kg_w%3BFdNUrwIdoz pgAClDW_yq4hmKRzFAp5f9pRkIBA%3BFf6wrwIdbMVXAClz90c zk4mKRzGwcr7kKqsIBA%3BFahLtAIdEBRZAA%3BFfBKtwId21h aACljX2kIV6iLRzGciT2mzxrC1Q&mra=ls&via=4&doflg=ptm&sll=45.176229,6.135864&sspn=0.697974,1.234589&ie=UTF8&ll=45.297109,6.082306&spn=0.696491,1.234589&z=10)

Then ride to Gap (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Chamb%C3%A9ry,+France&daddr=Gap+to:Vars,+France+to:M%C3%A9olans-Revel,+France+to:Pontis,+France+to:Rousset,+France +to:Gap,+France&hl=en&geocode=FfBKtwId21haACljX2kIV6iLRzGciT2mzxrC1Q%3BF R3upwId_bVcACnVE6LYeD_LEjFgp5f9pRkIBA%3BFQU4qAIddv xlACnjsalBxLjMEjFgoJf9pRkIBA%3BFfaepQIdXHdjACmXylu KU5vMEjFgr5f9pRkIBA%3BFfgSpwIdlgJhACmJxbRhWWDLEjHQ r5f9pRkIBA%3BFVKupgId7FZfACnt6LEXTmbLEjFwo5f9pRkIB A%3B&mra=ls&dirflg=t&doflg=ptm&sll=44.955081,6.325378&sspn=1.401347,2.469177&ie=UTF8&ll=44.931752,6.352844&spn=1.401916,2.469177&z=9), and head towards Nice (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Gap,+France&daddr=Isola,+France+to:les+clots+to:sospel+to:43.7 03622,7.327881+to:Villeneuve-Loubet,&hl=en&geocode=FR3upwId_bVcACnVE6LYeD_LEjFgp5f9pRkIBA%3BF Rc6ogIdd5JrACm9--AggP_MEjFPgOa10wq38g%3BFfTLoAIda7FuACk7xVHoTa_NEjG AAvuRqBkICg%3BFQuGnQIdFKNxACllpmd2ZZXNEjG-fUTyJUo-fw%3B%3BFaUrmgIdSqtsACkhUzF1bdPNEjFR0fPny10sRQ&mra=dpe&mrcr=3&mrsp=4&sz=10&via=4&doflg=ptm&sll=43.890965,6.979065&sspn=0.71355,1.234589&ie=UTF8&ll=44.121113,6.635742&spn=1.421561,2.469177&z=9)the next day and stop for 2-3 days. Could go for a ride like this as well: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Villeneuve-Loubet,+France&daddr=castellane+to:graou+to:riez+to:Bauduen,+Fran ce+to:D957+to:Comps-sur-Artuby,+France+to:Escragnolles,+France+to:Villeneu ve-Loubet,+France&hl=en&geocode=FaUrmgIdSqtsACkhUzF1bdPNEjFR0fPny10sRQ%3BF WUQnQIdSFxjACnnJTsx8QvMEjGQtZf9pRkIBA%3BFTzymwIdiA dgAClJY_9hnPDLEjHRjjn8phkIJg%3BFceenAIdD_BcAClBxcq nSejLEjE1eWUK4uQbMw%3BFQhOmwIdHEJeACl7nZTwS-TLEjFnCzHDRxSzpw%3BFV74mwIdPdpeAA%3BFfn0mgIdyE9jAC lbZ5j1OQTMEjH1kkbas94IbA%3B%3B&mra=ls&via=5&doflg=ptm&sll=43.687488,6.796417&sspn=0.178997,0.308647&ie=UTF8&z=10%3Cbr%20/%3E

I'm also thinking about heading towards Millau (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=N%C3%AEmes,+France&daddr=D907+to:44.474951,3.435974+to:Les+Vignes,+Fr ance+to:millau+to:nant+to:Sauve,+France+to:nimes&geocode=Fd7cnAIdoIpCACk5U-jWCy20EjEDDCCfTxOI3g%3BFejioAIdKq47AA%3B%3BFQSlowI d6UUxACkvoRitzaizEjFJU1UMUTaEXw%3BFf7noAIdNAQvACmt 914WGEuyEjE-_DSlZILJFw%3BFZa6nwId3mEyACmxKJNUpcezEjEgDkMvnPYGB A%3BFQx8ngIdnEw8ACkdLPSNaxG0EjFgNWsWIYgHBA%3BFd7cn AIdoIpCACk5U-jWCy20EjEDDCCfTxOI3g&hl=en&mra=dme&mrcr=1,2&mrsp=2&sz=10&dirflg=ht&doflg=ptm&sll=44.246183,3.710632&sspn=0.731913,1.234589&ie=UTF8&ll=44.242248,3.710632&spn=0.731962,1.234589&z=10).


What do you think? Routes are about 200 miles and can easily be shortened or lengthened. Have I missed some good roads or can you suggest some alternative routes?

[Triton]

dyzio, cant really help with your routes as we ride more south and west of where you headed, certainly Millau is worth a look, but make sure you see it from underneath, also the town itself is worth a look, one thing to bear in mind, Sunday and monday are very slow days in France with many petrol stations shut and only taking credit cards at the pumps, many of these wont accept UK bank cards (esp the smaller ones).....

If you do come across this problem (which i did when we first arrived) wait for a french car to pull in and give the guy cash and use his card to operate the pump (never been refused this)

Bon Voyage!
P.s if you venture into the tarn / aude departments give me a shout

[dyzio]

P.s if you venture into the tarn / aude departments give me a shout

Was thinking about it, but it would increase the mileage too much. Next year ;)
Thanks!

[dyzio]

We're down to 2 after some rather expensive bike problems :/

Tickets booked \\:D/

[dyzio]

The plan was to stick to F1 and B&B's but were changing that to tents and camping.
Think we'll book the F1 for 1 night in Dijon on the way down, and 1 night on the way back up.

New question :) I'm looking for campsites, web sites, a guide with campsites or a gps database ;)

We'll be stopping somewhere around:
- Chambery,
- Gap,
- Nice,
- Montpelier/Nimes,

Oh, one more thing, do I need my baffles?

Cheers

[Davies]

Oh, one more thing, do I need my baffles?



We didn't use ours in France last month but I'd take them with you just in case you want to hop into Switzerland.

If you're heading down Dijon way I can recommend this place to stay:

http://www.lamaisonducastel.com/reservation_english.html

We stayed there on the first night and it was great, and the breakfast was massive!

Enjoy! :D

[thor]

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Villeneuve-Loubet,+France&daddr=castellane+to:graou+to:riez+to:Bauduen,+Fran ce+to:grin:957+to:Comps-sur-Artuby,+France+to:Escragnolles,+France+to:Villeneu ve-Loubet,+France&hl=en&geocode=FaUrmgIdSqtsACkhUzF1bdPNEjFR0fPny10sRQ%3BF WUQnQIdSFxjACnnJTsx8QvMEjGQtZf9pRkIBA%3BFTzymwIdiA dgAClJY_9hnPDLEjHRjjn8phkIJg%3BFceenAIdD_BcAClBxcq nSejLEjE1eWUK4uQbMw%3BFQhOmwIdHEJeACl7nZTwS-TLEjFnCzHDRxSzpw%3BFV74mwIdPdpeAA%3BFfn0mgIdyE9jAC lbZ5j1OQTMEjH1kkbas94IbA%3B%3B&mra=ls&via=5&doflg=ptm&sll=43.687488,6.796417&sspn=0.178997,0.308647&ie=UTF8&z=10%3Cbr%20/%3E

This looks awesome. Castelaine is smack in the verdun gorge which is spectacular, but the roads are slow and demanding so allow plenty of time, esp on weekends. The route back to Grasse from castelaine opens up a bit (rte Napoleon) is amazing and you can make serious progress. The sight of the Med as you crest over the last big ridge is pretty special!