We try to break up the monotony of a transit day today by riding on both A roads and motorways. We will be riding through several national parks such as;  Scarp Escaut, L’ Avesnois and the Ardennes Valley (time permitting). We will finally arrive at our destination in Metz and check in to the hotel for the evening. If the weather is very bad, it may be wiser to opt for a more direct route, this can be discussed on the day

Mileage: 309 approx 
Time: 6 hrs not including stops

From Metz, we head for Nancy and then into the Vosges Mountains just beyond the Lorraine Valley, where we will ride across the Grand Ballon. There is a stunning panoramic view restaurant on the peak of the mountain with views on a good day of the Alps in the distance.

We will be riding along roads with many twists, hairpins and switchbacks through the Vosges along with some beautiful scenery of the rolling hills and forests

We then make our way along the French side of the Swiss border until we arrive in Pontarlier for the night just west of Bern.

Mileage: 248 approx
Time: 5.5 hrs not including stops

We begin riding through Geneva in the morning, and in the afternoon….

Spectacularly breathtaking, the Combe Laval Frequently recognized as the most magnificent road in the French Alps, this road through Combe Laval was constructed between 1861 and 1898 and originally served for the transportation of timber from the Forêt de Lente to St-Jean-en-Royans (France). It’s one of the French balcony roads. The road was carved out here (with the end of the work in 1898), not for the view, but to make the forestry activity profitable.

We then head into Grenoble for the evening and stay in our hotel

Mileage: 265 miles approx
Time: 7 hours not including stops

The Route Napoléon, one of the world’s best roads to drive according to travel guru’s, runs for 200 miles between the Côte d’Azur and Grenoble, threading through Provence and rising into the western reaches of the Alps. Laffrey, famed for the day Napoléon Bonaparte passed through en route to reclaiming power from Louis XVIII.

We head down the N85 (Route Napoleon) today, stopping here and there to grab coffee, admire the views, have some lunch and take it all in. It can get a bit busy at times which is why today is a shorter day.

We stay in a wonderful hotel tonight, the owners are lovely and full of character, there is also a swimming pool and great food on offer

Mileage: 130 approx
Time: 4 hrs approx not including stops

We continue this fabulous journey south as we head into the Cote D’Azur. For us, this is probably the most stunning area in all of France. Blockbuster films were produced here as well as having some of the most scenic routes in all of Europe. It is amazing.

Our journey today takes us past some impressive mountain and alpine scenery, including the Mercantour Mountain park and along the way there will be plenty of long sweeping bends and sections that hopefully will take your breath away.

Our destination takes us to the famous Gorge Du Verdon. The area is stunningly beautiful as you will see for yourselves.

We will be staying in tonight’s hotel based in the centre of the Gorge for two nights, this gives you the opportunity to relax, explore the stunning area or go for an explore on your bike of the local surroundings.

Mileage: 150 approx
Time: 5 hours not including stops

Today is a rest day for you and our tour guide. You are free to do as you please. Breakfast is included this morning and dinner would be arranged at your own convenience unless the group collectively arrange something together.

Things to do locally;

• Lac De Sainte Croix
• Verdon Canoe
  Canoe down the Gorge!
• Verdon-e-Bike
  Rent a push bike!
• Route des Cretes La Palud
  Stunning bridge and scenery
• Centre Ville
  Visit the town
• Notre Dame de Beauvoir
  Architecture and history
• Sentier Blanc-Martel
• Horse Riding

Miles: 0 miles
Time: 0 hrs not including stops

Col de la Bonette is a high mountain pass in the French Alps, near the border with Italy. It is situated within the Mercantour National Park on the border of the departments of Alpes-Maritimes and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. The road over the col is the seventh highest paved road in the Alps and reaches a high of 2,715 m

We make our way through the Mercantour National Park today and over the magnificent Col De La Bonette, the views from the top are staggering.

Our hotel for the evening is in Cesana Torinese just west of Turin.

Mileage: 199 miles 
Time: 6 hours not including stops

We continue heading through the mountains (Parc National De La Vanoise) where we will be riding alongside lakes, twisty roads, hairpin bends and even more mountains. We will pass Monte Blanc (avoiding the polluted tunnel—not so good on a bike without air con!) past Massif Du Bauges and finally into Bourg en Bresse for the evening, just west of Geneva

It is a spectacular scenic ride today

Miles: 230 approx
Time: 7 hrs without stops

We head north now, on route we ride through Dijon and onto Reims where we will stay the evening in our last hotel of the tour.

We avoid motorways today, in favour of riding through farmlands and countryside all the way.

Miles: 250 approx
Time: 6 hrs without stops

We head for our afternoon Eurotunnel departure today. But before we do we make a quick stop off at the Reims Grand Prix Circuit for some great photos and a taste of what it was like riding in the Grand Prix many years ago. It’s a lovely nostalgic end to a great tour and there may even be a chance to have a blast up the old racetrack (which is a public road). The spectator stands and pits are still there and maintained by a group of enthusiasts

The circuit Reims-Gueux was a Grand Prix motor racing road course, located in Gueux, 7.5 km west of Reims in the Champagne region of north-eastern France, established in 1926 as the second venue of the Grand Prix de la Marne

Miles: 190 approx
Time: 4 hrs without stops