Grand Alps and Route Napoleon Motorcycle Tour

After a meet and greet at EuroTunnel and a little train trip to France. We then jump straight on to the motorway for the first 1.5hrs. Exiting the motorway we will be checking out the Route Nationals heading south between Paris and Reims. Stopping in Soissons for lunch. Soisson is one of the most ancient towns in France, dating back to Julius Caesar B.C. 57 when the town surrendered to him. Fun filled back roads will be our route down to Dijon for our first night together, some nice food, drink and chat as we start to make new friends.

Rise and shine, we are making our way south through the Rhone-Alps Region and the Jura Mountain Range, our first taste of mountain life. With its fast sweeping bends all the way to Geneva and the town of Thonon-Les Bains, which is the official starting point for La Route des Grandes Alpes.

First night in the alps in Chamonix at the world famous Rocky Pop Hotel

We start the day on the fabulous Cormet Roselend Pass (1968m). This climbs through wooded slopes and past the tranquil waters of the Lac de Roselend. This, along with the dazzling views of the mighty glaciers, provides a superb backdrop as the road rises above the lake and around the cliffs towards the summit.

Next we have the immense Col de I’lseran (2770m). When it opened in 1937 it was the highest road pass in Europe and is still considered one of the major must ride passes in the alps. Continuing on we climb the Col du Galibier (2645m), a favourite with motorcyclists and a lung bursting ride on the tour de France. As you descend the Galibier you are at the foot of the Col du Lautaret (2057m) which was carved from a glacier.

Riding into the mountain town of Briancon at 1326m – one of the highest towns in Europe. Once out of Brianon its time to tackle the forbidding Col d’ Izoard with its almost lunar landscape, then descend into the wild and beautiful Guil Gorge towards the town of Guillestre and finally our home for the night.

Its straight up the Col de Vars (2111m) Col de la Cayolle (2327m) and the Col de la Couillole (1678m).

The biggest one of them all, the Col de la Bonette at 2802m high it is the highest climb of them week, it is the one that you will remember. Absolutely breath taking.

Moving on, we leave the forest and mountains behind on the Col de Turin, (1607m) its tight hairpins being a famous feature on the Monte Carlo rally. Via the lovely town of Sospel down to Menton on the coast and there you can pull off your boots and dip your feet in the warm waters of the Med!

A day of leisure to recharge your batteries.

Route Napoleon is considered by many as one of the best biking roads in Europe, the tarmac is billiard table smooth and the corners a sublime combination of seriously fast sweepers and challenging mountain hairpins. Just over 300km long, it is guaranteed that you will be grinning from ear to ear the whole way as this famous road winds through some of Frances most spectacular scenery. Ride the magnificent Gorges du Verdon, Europe’s largest canyon – this route has it all!

Today we start to head towards home, leaving Grenoble we head into Parc National Regional de Chartreuse tracing the banks of the Isere, up to Geneva and through the fantastic forest of the Haut-Jura National Parc. Continuing up past Dijon and into the Champagne Region we reach our evening stop.

Sadly, our last day and its cross country to Epernay for a coffee stop then a blast through the Champagne Vineyards which make up the Montagne de Reims Natural Parc before riding along the old Grand Prix Circuit at Gueux near Reims. Lastly, A26 and a quick blast to Calais for an early afternoon crossing and our final goodbyes.