Baguette & Cheese
Route Napoleon & Luxembourg- 13 Days
This is a medium mileage, whistle stop tour of Southern France, Italian Alps, Vosges mountain range and the Black Forest, following the Route Napoleon and riding the fabulous balcony road of Combe Laval, finishing in Luxembourg for 3 days riding the slickest tarmac in Europe.
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This route will include the awesome twisties of the Gorge du Verdon, the deepest canyon in Europe, as well as a blat up the B500 through the Black Forest.
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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!
We're not planning any motorways and 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, detouring through the Black Forest to Luxembourg.
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We will stay in Luxembourg for three nights, exploring the amazing roads this Grand Dutchy has to offer.​
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.
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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, motels 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? It's a winding but paced route today passing through two national parks and hopefully following the rivers heading south. Tonight we rest in Dijon. Famous for mustard and wine! Pass me a bottle opener...
Day 3
Dijon to Grenoble
– 200 miles.
This is an easy 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 Col du Marine. 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.
Day 5
Sisteron to Sanremo
– 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! South we go to near the end of the Route Napoleon at Cannes. The actual end is in Antibes and if there is time we can visit this seaside town. But today we are heading to the Italian coast! Our route will take us past Cannes and Monaco (we can dip into Monaco but not stop at the casinos, as we would leave very poor).
Day 6
Sanremo to Espinasses
– 200 miles.
After an evening on the Mediterranean beach, we're heading back north! We're going to head up into the mountains between the Italian and French border. Todays route is always changeable as unannounced road closures are common due to landslides, but it'll still be a refreshing ride from the beach up to the balcony roads.
Day 7
Espinasses to Aix-Les-Bains
– 170 miles.
Today is a col hunt! We're continuing north, running parallel to our route south earlier in the week but clipping the Italian border where possible. Parc national des Écrins 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
Aix-Les-Bains to Col des Rangiers
– 190 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.
Day 9
Col des Rangiers to Strasbourg
– 180 miles.
B500 day! We're heading into Germany for a detour through the Black Forest and the famous B500. Some say it's a bit overrated and full of speed cameras and police, but come off the main B500 and there are some brilliant technical roads to absorb. The tarmac is good and the views are amazing. What more could you want? We cross the Rhine back into France and are staying north of Strasbourg at the foot of the Vosges mountain range.
Day 10
Strasbourg to Vianden
– 160 miles.
Another day, another mountain range. Welcome to the Vosges mountain range, a playground of sweeping bends and fast straights. We will take a winding route up through the Vosges, stopping at a lakeside cafe or similar for lunch, before entering the Grand Dutchy of Luxembourg. Luxembourg knows how to do tarmac. Race track grade asphalt with cambered corners. Perfect! Tonight we stay in Vianden on the German border. This pretty town has several cafes and restaurants, as well as a castle you can take a cable car up to!
Day 11 - 12
Vianden to Vianden
– ? miles.
We're in Vianden for 3 nights. Here you can either relax and be a tourist, or we can ride out to the may destinations available. Pretty much any direction you go in, you'll find great roads and great views. You've got the option of heading east to view the Nurburgring (we don't recommend riding it and bike days are usually booked in advance). Or north to the Biker Ranch cafe. Or west to the pretty town of Esh-sur-Sure. We have a couple of free days here where you can go on your own or tag along with whoever wants to ride out, but your guide will always be on hand to suggest where to go.
Day 13
Vianden to Folkstone
– 200 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.
Other Costs To Consider (for 2024/25 tours)
All accommodation and all breakfasts are included.
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Additional costs you may want to allow for:
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£180 - £250 for fuel (depends on how heavy wristed you are).
£200 - £350 for food and drinks that are not already included.
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