France Motorcycle Tour: Alps, Provence & Cévennes

Arrival of participants by 6 pm at our start hotel near Lörrach on the Swiss border. After check-in we introduce the France motorcycle tour and the group gets acquainted over a shared dinner. Your guides brief you on the route ahead and answer any questions about the journey to come.

We cover the first stretch on the Swiss motorway to Lake Geneva, then cross the Col de Mosses and continue to the French border via the Pass de Morgins. After the Col de Corbier the Route des Grandes Alpes proper begins with the Col de Colombière and the Col de Aravis. Overnight near Flumet, approx. 350 km.

On the Grandes Alpes motorcycle tour we tackle three of the highest passes in the Western Alps today: Col de Roselend (1,970 m) and Col de l'Iseran (2,770 m). This Alpine passes motorcycle tour shows its full elevation here. Day's destination is Saint-Martin-d'Arc, approx. 240 km.

A steep climb takes us to the Col du Galibier (2,642 m) and the Col d'Izoard (2,360 m), then on over the Col de Vars (2,109 m) to the Col de la Bonette (2,802 m). These French mountain-pass motorcycle stages rank among the most demanding of the tour. Overnight near Isola, approx. 250 km.

We leave the Route des Grandes Alpes and ride the Gorges du Verdon motorcycle tour through the Gorges de Daluis and the Verdon Canyon. We continue to the Plateau de Valensole with the lavender fields of Provence. Overnight in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, approx. 270 km.

Today is devoted to Provence. We start with the region's highest peak, Mont Ventoux (1,909 m), then continue to the Abbaye de Sénanque and the ochre quarry of Roussillon. Overnight in Malaucène, approx. 218 km through classic Provence countryside.

A relaxed stage of the France motorcycle tour leads from Malaucène to the historic papal city of Avignon, passing through vineyards and small Provençal villages along quiet country roads. The afternoon is free for a stroll through the medieval city centre and along the banks of the Rhône.

Today is yours to enjoy as you please: explore the historic old town of Avignon with its famous Palais des Papes and medieval fortifications, or venture independently into the Camargue National Park, known for its free-roaming white horses and resident flamingo flocks.

The Cevennes motorcycle tour begins with a photo stop at the 2,000-year-old Roman aqueduct Pont du Gard. We continue to the Cirque de Navacelles with its impressive natural amphitheatre panorama. Overnight in Florac, approx. 255 km.

Today the gorges of the Cevennes take centre stage: Gorges de la Jonte, Gorges du Tarn and finally the Gorges de l'Ardèche with the famous natural arch Pont d'Arc. This southern France motorcycle tour stage ranks among the most striking of the trip. Overnight near Montélimar, approx. 335 km.

In the Vercors National Park the route takes in Combe Laval, the Grandes Goulets and the Gorges de la Bourne – narrow tunnels and dramatic cliff faces included. Overnight near Grenoble, approx. 220 km.

Following in the tracks of the Tour de France, we climb the famous switchbacks of Alpe d'Huez, then continue over the Col de Glandon (1,924 m), the Col de la Croix de Fer (2,067 m) and the Col de la Madeleine (2,000 m). Overnight near Beaufort, approx. 250 km.

On the final riding day of the France motorcycle tour we cross the Col de la Forclaz (1,527 m) into Switzerland, pass the Col de la Croix (1,727 m) and the Col de Pillon (1,546 m) and return to the start and finish hotel in Wehr, approx. 370 km.

After breakfast it is time to say goodbye: the participants of the guided Alps motorcycle tour set off on their individual journeys home, carrying memories of more than 20 passes and the full France motorcycle tour experience.