Advice Request - Short France Trip

Mornin',

I'm hoping someone can give me some advice as to where I can explore in France. I'm going over to Dunkerque on the 27th of this month, riding up to some concert in Holland with a mate. We ride back to Dunkerque on the Sunday, and are due to ferry back home that evening.

HOWEVER, i've just found i've got no work on the following week (and possibly lots of weeks) and so am thinking of spending at least 2-3 more days in France. Can anybody recommend places I should see? I want stunning scenery, mountains too far away? Nice lakes? Also B&Bs to stay in if you know any friendly ones? It's a lot to ask I know, i'm reading through every thread in here that looks relevant at the moment!

Many thanks,

Matt

[STRAMASHER]

The Ardennes ........ err, in Belgium! (South of the country)

Luxemburg is a great experience too.

For France you would need to go down to The Vosges (west of Colmar). Planning on doing this bit in August, so if you do nip down let us know how you get on. Never been.

Friendly B&B's? Every one we have ever stayed in! Totally different for bikers over on the continent compared to this ****ey island.


Whats the gig/ festie?

I think it's this:
http://translate.google.co.uk/transl...%3Den%26sa%3DG
But even translated I can't make anything out on that site!

My friend has organised tickets etc, it's just a good excuse to do a proper trip on the bike, and finally go abroad!

My brother is taking two weeks starting today and going down to Italy in his filthy M3, i'd love to get that far, he mentioned the Stelvio Pass, which looks hilarious on google maps! But I think that's risking it a bit as I might get a call saying "oh you know tomorrow... come and do stuff" hehe

Update: Looking on google maps I can see some watery bit around St Dizier, which looks good!

EDIT: Oh Ardennes looks excellent, and not far! I shall look for hotels/B&Bs.

Ok I think i'll head towards Ardenne region, can anybody recommend places to stay? I'd like to have an idea of a village to head to, or book somewhere in advance to make sure I don't end up sleeping... in my bike?

[Stu]

I'm just back from the Ardennes. Stayed in Hotel Belle-Vue, -> http://www.hotelbv.com/english/index.html in Luxembourg. in Vianden which was very pretty with a wizard of Oz style Castle. Hotel was €55 an night each for 2 sharing. (but that was part of a big group) The best bit of Luxembourg is petrol is only €1.30 instead of €1.60 in France.
I'll scan a copy of the route we took on Saurday about 230 miles
Sunday we went to Nurburgring which was an hour away

[Lissa]

If you don't think it's too far, how about heading for this place. in Dun sur Meuse.

http://www.bikersbedsfrance.co.uk/

We've stayed there a couple of times. Carol has an SV The Meuse valley is stunning, the roads are fabulous, and Verdun isn't far away. Four or five pics here from our visit to the area last year.

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=92544

[Stu]

The green bit was particularly awesome.

Ooh thanks boy and girl! I will check those links when I get home in...3 hours!
I'd like to see the ring, but no chance i'm taking the bike round it! My brother might be near there though at the same time.

Thanks again I'll keep you updated as to where I end up

Wow thanks, both those places look cool, slightly further than I thought about going, but not overly crazy. Bit daunting going on my own though, but hey.

Right, just spoke with brother and he's going to be in Nurburg Sunday 29th morning, and i'll go to Vianden then on the Sunday evening! Meet up and he'll take me round the track in the M3 :/ Fortuitous timing indeed!

Now i need some maps! And some dictionaries!

Brother was just telling me how he got stopped by the french police chaps for speeding, and was using babelfish on his laptop via 3G in order to work out what they were saying! They were even typing stuff in!