Grande Alpes,
Route Napoleon &
Balcony Roads- 10 Days
Total 2000 miles over 10 days.
Bank holiday special - 5 days off work!
Saturday 16/05/26 to Monday 25/05/26.
Small group tour. Limited spaces.
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From £1,749.00 pp (based on 2 sharing)
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This is a medium mileage, whistle stop tour of the French Alps, Vosges mountain range and the Vercors range, following parts of the Route Napoleon, as well as the Route Grande Alpes, and riding the fabulous balcony road of Combe Laval. All starting and ending in Folkestone!
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This route will include the awesome twisties of the Gorge du Verdon, the deepest canyon in Europe, as well as the highest paved through road in Europe, Col de la Bonnette.
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We're looking at 150-200 miles per day with around 6 hours saddle time on some days, but there's always a longer route if it gets too easy!
There is a splattering of motorways, but once in the south, it will be ziggy zagging all the way where possible.
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This is a great introduction to European touring. Climbing high through French and Italian Col's, vising the majesty of Combe Laval and the citadel of Sisteron, zipping through the Provence of Southern France, before heading north up the Route Napoleon via the deepest gorge in Europe Gorges du Verdon, then north along the scenic balcony road of Combe Laval, clipping the clear lower Alpine lakes before heading through the Voges mountains, before a quick blat back to blighty.​
If you want to make your own tracks to our nightly accommodation, you’re more than welcome, otherwise we will guide you all the way with an English speaking biker leading.
It is 100% tarmac with no planned off roading.​
What's included?
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Return crossing with Le Shuttle.
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UK guide on a bike.
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All hotel accommodation in good quality hotels, lodges or B&Bs.
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Hotels with secure or private parking.
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All breakfasts in hotels.
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Tour routes and information pack.
What's not included?
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Travel insurance.
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Breakdown cover.
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Hotel parking charges.
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Petrol.
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Drinks.
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Evening meals unless listed.
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Anything not listed.
Day 1
Folkstone to Martelange
– 250 miles.
We will meet up early at the services near to the Folkstone Le Shuttle terminal, for a quick forecourt coffee, before all boarding a train at the same time. If you haven't taken your motorbike onto the tunnel, it can be a little daunting but your guide will be with you every step of the way (except passport control where they don't like you hanging around). 35 minutes later and we will be in the land of baguettes, ready for a run through northern France to Martelange in Belgium. We will try to miss out any toll routes today, staying on the slower but more scenic A roads instead. Around 7 hours saddle time today.
Day 2
Martelange to Dijon
– 220 miles.
What's a baguette and cheese without mustard? And WINE! It's a winding but paced route today passing through two national parks and hopefully following the rivers heading south. Tonight we rest outside of Dijon. Famous for mustard and wine! We will be next to the Romanee Conti wine estate, home of possibly the most expensive wine in the world! Pass me a bottle opener...
Day 3
Dijon to Grenoble
– 200 miles.
This is an easier days riding, so we may detour into the French Alps for some more interesting routes. After leaving the low lands between the Central Massiff and the French Alps, we will start climbing into the lower mountains. The scenery changes here as we are gradually heading into ski country. Grenoble marks the end of the Route Napoleon (yeah, we're doing it backwards but it makes a better ride).
Day 4
Grenoble to Sisteron
– 200 miles.
This is why we're here! Today we start the Route Napoleon (from the end) and marks the beginning of the end of Napoleon's era. Short history lesson, Napoleon was exiled to the island of Elba, where he escaped and returned to France with 1000 men, marched up the 'Route Napoleon' to Grenoble, increasing his troops and ended up at Waterloo! And we all know the Abba song that relays the rest of history. Quick detour to Combe Laval and the balcony roads of Col du Machine. This balcony road is up there in Europe's most crazy roads. We're staying in Sisteron famous for it's fortified citadel on top of the mountain in the heart of the Vercors mountain range. There is one of the most thrilling downhill roads that I've ever ridden here.
Day 5
Sisteron to Castellane
– 150 miles.
Back on the Route Napoleon but we will divert after Gap to ride through the Gorges du Verdon. This is the deepest canyon in Europe and is pretty pretty, although it can be full of pesky caravans some days! We will spend most of the day exploring these canyon roads and know a top 'Italian' pizzeria tucked away in the gorge! Castellane is as far south as we go on the Route Napoleon. Although only 150 miles, this is a full day of hop on, hop off riding as the opportunities for photos are endless!
Day 6
Castellane to Barcelonette
– 150 miles.
Route Grande Alpes! We're going high today, up Europe's highest through paved road, Col de la Bonnette. This road is nothing less than awesome! You can see for miles and it's pretty much just bikers most days. After obligatory photos at the top, we will head down the otherside into Barcelonette for the evening.
Day 7
Barcelonette to Chamonix
– 170 miles.
Today is a col hunt! We're continuing north, running parallel to our route south earlier in the week but heading up the Route Grande Alpes. Mont Blanc is our playground today, with gorgeous plains surrounded by snowy peaks. Our route will take us through as many mountain passes as we can fit in, whilst heading towards Mont Blanc.
Day 8
Chamonix to Bescanon
– 150 miles.
Switzerland! No vignettes or tolls, but we're slipping into the land of chocolate and cuckoo clocks for some Alpine air. We're leaving the mountains behind as the countryside gets very green! Cows with bells around their necks, wooden chalets, crystal clear lakes and yodelling. Inevitably, we will be stopped at the border and asked to get Swiss vignettes, but we don't need them as we're not going anywhere near the motorways today. We're cutting around Geneva today, a little sightseeing but this is a through route into the Vosges mountain range.
Day 9
Bescanon to Bascharge
– 250 miles.
Vosges mountain range! We're leaving the snow behind and heading into glorious winding roads up through the Vosges. Although 250 miles, this is quite a 'paced' day. Fast sweeps instead of twisties. We may dip into Luxembourg and will be staying on the outskirts of Bascharge, famous for its breweries!
Day 10
Bascharge to Folkstone
– 250 miles.
Boo hoo, time to head home BUT before we do, lets get a bit of Luxembourg and Belgium done! We normally route through the picturesque town of Dinant (birthplace of the dude who invented the Saxophone) and wiggle our way into northern France before hitting the relatively boring motorway up to Coquelles. An easy ride onto the train and we have 35 minutes to reminisce about our trip, swap contacts with your new found riding buddies and plan your next adventure.
