Roads to the South of France
 

I'm thinking of heading down to Toulouse at Easter or during the summer and was wondering if there are any really nice roads or must do rides on the way down???

Also any suggestions of a good place to stay on the way down would be much appreciated. I'd be stopping around the centre of France as this is roughly halfway between Hastings and Toulouse.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&saddr=Hastings,+East+Sussex,+UK&daddr=Tou louse&hl=en&geocode=&mra=ls&dirflg=h&sll=47.37091, 1.73365&sspn=12.650235,27.114258&ie=UTF8&ll=47.368 594,1.186523&spn=12.650235,27.114258&z=5
(Not a planned route, just the general idea)

Any comments much appreciated :D

Re: Roads to the South of France
 

You heading over as far as Cannes?

Re: Roads to the South of France
 

No, sorry i think i messed the map link up. I have no definate route planned yet, it's just an idea in the pipeline.

Re: Roads to the South of France
 

seems to be a map of North America.

Your bike is not a submarine :)

Re: Roads to the South of France
 

Just edited the link. Sorry.

There must be plenty of lovely scenery and great roads along that rough route???

Re: Roads to the South of France
 

Tip: If you are going via Paris, take the A104/N104 around the east side just after CDG. Don't go the route Google or most SatNav software says - ie the Peripherique. If you look closely at Google maps, you'll see the roads on the A104/N104 route are all labelled 'La Francilienne'. It's the Paris bypass. Trust me on this. ;-)

Re: Roads to the South of France
 

Ok thanks for that Chazzy.

The route on the link is only an example of where i might pass by. If there is somewhere i want to visit or lovely roads i am more than willing to take "the long way down" I'm hoping this thread will produce suggestions of routes worth taking a detour for...? :confused::rolleyes:

Re: Roads to the South of France
 

A bit further to the East, but Route Napoleon (N85) between Grenoble/Corps & Grasse is about as good as it gets. Pretty damn good, especially the southern section. Possibly a bit out of your way, but would deffinately be worth the extra mileage.

Will probably be down that way myself sometime over the summer.

Re: Roads to the South of France
 

Hello DMC, are you just down for fun or plan on visiting somewhere???

Re: Roads to the South of France
 

It'll just be a trip to get some good roads in. Got to the South of France a couple of years ago without touching a Motorway, fancied doing something similar again.

Re: Roads to the South of France
 

Do you think you'll do the Nurburgring again this year, except we can extend the trip a bit and take in more of Belgium/France/Germany???

Re: Roads to the South of France
 

Not sure about the ring this year, I was thinking of just doing a couple of weeks around Europe this year. The ring prices have gone up for 2009, not sure by how much. However, Neal will be selling lap tickets at a discounted rate of 18Euros, which will still be £72 for the 4 laps we did last year the way the £ is :(

At the mo Im leaning towards sticking my money into just doing a tour, but not decided 100% yet.

Why you heading for Toulouse?

Re: Roads to the South of France
 

+1

Re: Roads to the South of France
 

I have family down there with a lovely little place just outside Toulouse so i am using them as an excuse to tour a little in Europe and forcing myself upon them over the summer. If you're around we could get a few of us and link up on the way down or around France in general???

http://www.gixerjunkies.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=50500
Have you seen this thread???

Re: Roads to the South of France
 

Sounds like youve got a good summer ahaed of you :D

Not seen that thread on GJ. Looks interesting though.

Are you in Brum or Notts at the mo? Fancy a spin on Sunday? Might be a bit wet, but gonna be warmer than it has been!

Re: Roads to the South of France
 

I'll be heading from Brum to Notts on Sunday. Not sure about times yet. But there is a nice little route i usually do up there. I'd be more than happy to lead the way. If we leave early enough in the morning and you're comfortable with the distance we could head up towards Notts and get a drink and/or something to eat there then you can head back here at your own pace???

Interested??? I'll post a thread in the MIGTS section and see if others fancy joining in...

Re: Roads to the South of France
 

Sounds good :thumright:

Whats your route?

Re: Roads to the South of France
 

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sadd...3,1.694641&z=9

What you say? Shall i put a post in the rideouts section???

BTW the time estimation google has given is slightly on the long side. Probably nearer and hour TBH. We could even add to that route if it's not lengthy enough???

Re: Roads to the South of France
 

See if anyone else is up for it. I can meet you at BP. What time you leaving?

Re: Roads to the South of France
 

Was thinking about leaving around 11.

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=123547

Re: Roads to the South of France
 

Excuse the de-rail.

Is there anyone else out there with any must do routes heading south in France???

Re: Roads to the South of France
 

Take a look in the Euro-tour section mate, lots of discussions about potential routes in there at the moment. This thread might be better off in there to...

What DMC says about N85 is also true. Although a trip over the Col Du Lautrette to Briancon is also a stunner. (you can get the Galibier in as well if you want). Get a good road atlas of France (michelin ones are good) and look for wiggly yellow roads.....

Re: Roads to the South of France
 

:thumbsup: Cheers Mike

Re: Roads to the South of France
 

Visordown has a good touring forum with loads of valuable info/resource:

http://www.visordown.com/forum/forum...4&URN=9&V=2&SP=


Also, Viamichelin is a good resource for travelling on the continent/route planning/maps etc:

http://www.viamichelin.co.uk/viamich...?redirect=true

Michelin also publish regional guides of Europe, known as Green Guides, which are very helpful. Ive got a couple, including the one covering the Alps which contains invaluable info on tavelling through the region, places of interest, good driving/riding routes, places to stay/eat/drink along with town & city guides.

I'll bring it along on Sunday so you can have a look. Cant lend it unfortunately as I'll be neding it shortly when my own planning gets underway, but theyre available at all good bookshops (always wanted to say that :D)

A good map to get is the Michelin France Reversible (No722). Folds down real small & covers all roads down to N & D category. Doesnt show the smaller roads & tracks, but good enough for where youll be going.

The places Mike mentioned are on the Route de Grande Alpes, also very good, but further to the East.