Route advice please - Eastern France to the Med

[sprintster]

+1 for Castellane. I rode down through the Vecours and based myself there for 5 days before returning home roughly following the Route Des Grande Alps. Great riding in that area. Gorge de Dalius and Gorge du Cians were two of my favourites, a lot quieter than Gorge du Verdon.

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FB_IMG_1544685572451.jpg (92.19 KiB) Viewed 2936 times

[SHarper]

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A couple of my favourites from the Gorge du Verdon

[daveuprite]

Some great pics there.

Those who haven't toured in central/southern France possibly don't realise just how varied and interesting the scenery is. You get everything from snowy peaks to deep ravines, massive limestone areas and superb caves to big deep forests. All within easy range of each other and with thousands of good places to stay and eat. And the roads are well-surfaced and great to ride. I know that sounds like some kind of tourist authority advert, but it really is a special part of Europe and many overlook it in their dash down the A10 to the Cote D'Azur or Italy.

And now that the TET route is available on-line / GPS lots of it can easily be done off-road too without any specialised local knowledge.

[Scott_rider]

I think we’re going to do the route posted by daveuprite, which is roughly 300 miles east of Meyras to Monaco, and roughly 240 miles west of Meyras to Carcassonne where we’ve stayed before .

We might have to trim down the east section a bit as we need to complete the trip through France in 4 riding days.

The return ferry from Spain is now booked .

So...we need to get from Calais to that part of France in no more than 2 days. I know that’s do’able but I’m wondering if we should take an extra day to make it easier and if so any suggestions on that section of the route?

I stress that we’ve schlepped through France many times before so the idea this time was to take it a bit easier and to see the south-east region before going into Spain.

Thanks again Guys, in advance

[bikenav]

Some great pics there.

Those who haven't toured in central/southern France possibly don't realise just how varied and interesting the scenery is. You get everything from snowy peaks to deep ravines, massive limestone areas and superb caves to big deep forests. All within easy range of each other and with thousands of good places to stay and eat. And the roads are well-surfaced and great to ride. I know that sounds like some kind of tourist authority advert, but it really is a special part of Europe and many overlook it in their dash down the A10 to the Cote D'Azur or Italy.

And now that the TET route is available on-line / GPS lots of it can easily be done off-road too without any specialised local knowledge.

Spot on, Been to and ridden in most parts of France and I fully agree with the above.

[daveuprite]

I think we’re going to do the route posted by daveuprite, which is roughly 300 miles east of Meyras to Monaco, and roughly 240 miles west of Meyras to Carcassonne where we’ve stayed before .

We might have to trim down the east section a bit as we need to complete the trip through France in 4 riding days.

The return ferry from Spain is now booked .

So...we need to get from Calais to that part of France in no more than 2 days. I know that’s do’able but I’m wondering if we should take an extra day to make it easier and if so any suggestions on that section of the route?

I stress that we’ve schlepped through France many times before so the idea this time was to take it a bit easier and to see the south-east region before going into Spain.

Thanks again Guys, in advance

4 days from Monaco to Carcassonne is perfectly do-able on the route I outlined, and you might even be able to fit in a raft trip down the Ardeche grorge, which really is fantastic. Not expensive and easy to organise, but the views looking up from the river as you float along are superb, and make a change from always looking down at the rivers from roadside viewing points. Well worth considering.

https://www.ardeche.com/sites-naturels/ ... rdeche.php

As to getting to Monaco in 2 days from Calais, yes quite feasible as long as you crack on and keep moving. If you can make it 3 days you can avoid a lot of dull autoroutes and tolls. Try:

First tick off some kms on the boring northern bit by taking A-routes to Troyes, then track east to Besancon (decent place to spend the first night).
Then skirt Switzerland and cross the Jura hills - follow: Chambéry - Grenoble - N85 - Gap - D900 - Digne - N202 - Nice.

This means spending more time on good twisty stuff. Unless you have pots of money to blow, don't end up having to spend the night in Monte Carlo. Grasse is much cheaper but a really nice place to overnight, ready for Route Napoleon the next morning - He he...

[EVskij]

Some great pics there.

Those who haven't toured in central/southern France possibly don't realise just how varied and interesting the scenery is. You get everything from snowy peaks to deep ravines, massive limestone areas and superb caves to big deep forests. All within easy range of each other and with thousands of good places to stay and eat. And the roads are well-surfaced and great to ride. I know that sounds like some kind of tourist authority advert, but it really is a special part of Europe and many overlook it in their dash down the A10 to the Cote D'Azur or Italy.

And now that the TET route is available on-line / GPS lots of it can easily be done off-road too without any specialised local knowledge.

I agree with you, great part of the world!

Unfortunately it is full of French, who haven’t got a foggiest idea what being vegetarian/vegan is. So and evenings meal at the restaurant would consist of some form of potato, salad and a a cold pint or glass of wine. Shite really! Rant over.


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[EVskij]

[quote="Scott_rider"

So...we need to get from Calais to that part of France in no more than 2 days. I know that’s do’able but I’m wondering if we should take an extra day to make it easier and if so any suggestions on that section of the route?[/quote]

Personally I think 3 days is a better option. You will find that you probably be stopping for coffee, lunch, toilet breaks and all that amazing scenery far more often than you think you will.

As an Alternative, jump on the Autoroute and just fly through to your “starting” point. However it’ll be, bland, expensive and generally boring.



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[chunky butt]

Which ever route, just watch out for radars and speed cameras, my son did a lot of klicks alp side and his view was far to many cameras. Apart from that have a great time, and enjoy

[daveuprite]

Which ever route, just watch out for radars and speed cameras, my son did a lot of klicks alp side and his view was far to many cameras. Apart from that have a great time, and enjoy

Right now might be the perfect time to go. Most speed cameras in France are currently burnt out or covered in paint / tape...!