Where to go in France?

My bro, a mate and myself are off to France in June for 4 days/3 nights. I dont think we have enough time for a ride to the south but then again may be wrong. Would be great if those of you who have rode out there before can give us some advice as where we can go for good riding in that short space of time. I have heard the north has lil to offer so any help would be great

Ferry crossing is only 40 quid to Calais return so we decided why go to Isle of Wight when we can go to France....

you could easily do France, Belgium and Germany in 3 days and head to the Nurburgring...
Remember that the French don't like British credit cards (or any foreign one) at self service petrol stations. Bit of a bummer when you run out of fuel in the middle of nowhere on a sunday afternoon...

If you're prepared to work a bit hard you could have some great riding. For a short break I can suggest either:

1) The Vosges/Alsace, around the area of Colmar & St Die. Fantastic roads (especially the D417). Get there in a day (375 miles) have a couple of days riding and make an early start to return on the last day.

2) Jurra region. Base yourself somewhere between Besancon & Pontarlier (I prefer Besancon) and you can have a couple of days riding some great roads. It's about the same distance as option 1.

I have done both areas and for a short stay they offer good tarmac, low traffic levels and great roads. But you will need to do the trip down there by motorway (mostly) to do the distance in a day.

If you want any info on which roads let me know.

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Cheers guys

Jelster....pm sent

in no particular order:

probably too far away for a 4 day trip but:
the Dordogne valley is fantastic, some great roads. Loads of cheap hotels and guest houses.
good campsite: http://www.motocamp.com
Loire Valley good too, not so far, around Saumur is nice.
Near Calais try the biker hotel just near Ostend:
www.grd.be
highly recommended.

my tip:
If you can, get the ferry or tunnel the night before, late evening (you get off-peak pricing)and book into a cheap formule 1 motel at calais at about 10 or 11 pm. This way day one of your holiday starts in France.

ATMs everywhere in France no problem getting cash.

Adam.

Originally Posted by triumph5ta

in no particular order:

probably too far away for a 4 day trip but:
the Dordogne valley is fantastic, some great roads. Loads of cheap hotels and guest houses.
good campsite: http://www.motocamp.com
Loire Valley good too, not so far, around Saumur is nice.
Near Calais try the biker hotel just near Ostend:
www.grd.be
highly recommended.

my tip:
If you can, get the ferry or tunnel the night before, late evening (you get off-peak pricing)and book into a cheap formule 1 motel at calais at about 10 or 11 pm. This way day one of your holiday starts in France.

ATMs everywhere in France no problem getting cash.

Adam.

Thanks for the info mate. With the help of Jelster this is what we are doing

Wed 7th June....early evening ferry to Calais and book into a B&B (prebook this one)
Thursday....early start and ride to Coldor in Alsace where we will stay 2 nights and explore the area (D417 seems like a great road)
Saturday afternoon leave Coldor heading back towards Calais but no route planned yet and we will stay another night somewhere
Sunday ride to Calais for late afternoon ferry

Thats about it. June is so far away though......

It's COLMAR, not Coldor

I take it you will do a few of the other roads in the area. You should be able to polish this lot off in a mornings ride. Just watch that D430 with the cobblestoned hairpins !!




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Originally Posted by Jelster

It's COLMAR, not Coldor

I take it you will do a few of the other roads in the area. You should be able to polish this lot off in a mornings ride. Just watch that D430 with the cobblestoned hairpins !!




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Ferk you are right.....it is Colmar after all ...and yes we will be checking out some of the other roads depending how sore me ass is as i have never rode my bike for more than 140 miles before in one journey......have plenty time to get some more miles under me belt before we go though

Any body who is thinking of doing a trip to France...i just booked up with the Euro tunnel and it was 60 quid return. The ferry is 40 quid return. This is for travel in June to Calais. Eurotunnel takes half the time and your bike is a lot better off as no need to tie it down and u stay with the bike for the whole 35 minute crossing.

Near Calais the (N) roads can be a bit congested. I've ridden to the Ardennes a few times ( Recommended) and find it's best to use the toll motorway (Peage) for the first hour or so to get clear of Calais, it only costs a few euros on a bike and they are quite empty- also allows you to get used to riding on the right without junctions or roundabouts.
Don't make a rush of it, better to enjoy a short journey than to have a long one become a chore.
On Sunday and Mondays a lot of places are closed including manned petrol stations some chip and pin cards work in some auto petrol pumps and some don't, they may work in some but not others. Keep a bit of cash handy so you can talk a local into using his card to buy you petrol!
In January's Used Bike Guide p.57 is a recommendation for the D908 in southern Normandy that area is very worth a visit- in fact just about anywhere in France is great because there just isn't the amount of traffic that we have in the U.K.