Good Roads in France

[tourman]

Thinking about heading down through France in early October. I will cross using the Tunnel, then head for the south coast. I want to travel on good roads avoiding motorway. When I get to the coast I will ride accross the Pyrenees between France and Spain to the north of Spain. I will cross back to the UK from Santander, hope to do this over a 8 - 10 day period. I am looking for advice on roads down through France.

[Simon Kennedy]

Get a Michelin map - the nicer roads are banded green. But, as has been said, you really can't go far wrong sitting on 'A' roads (called RN in France), and then taking things as they come.

[danward79]

Stop for a nights camping in Potes, South of Santander in the Picos de Europe, it is lovely.

[Tony P]

A french friend of mine insists France is for travelling across on the basis of driving (presumably riding too) no more in a day than from a late breakfast until an early lunch - then stay put until the next day.
He snorts and shrugs in disgust to hear I get from London to Var in less than a day.

But, he is right!
- - - - - - -
If you are avoiding motorways because of tolls, the long section from Clermont Ferrard to Montpellier or Beziers is free except for the Millau bridge (€7 on a bike last year).

A fantastic route south (for scenery, villages and great biking roads) and off motorways is via Reims, St Dizier, Langres, Gray, Dole, Champagnole and over the Monts Jura to Geneva then on south via Grenoble, Gap, Sisteron.

Enjoy.
(You will)

[Flyingdoctor]

+1 for the Picos de Europa. The camping at Santa Marina de Valdeon is superb if you like waking up to this view!


And if you get a chance to walk down the canyon at Cain, which is about 4 miles away, do it.

You walk through tunnels in the canyon walls...


Then it opens up to this...

[tourman]

Thanks for all the information, I have visited northern Spain etc in the past (2 trips) I have riden my my bike down to The Algarve from Santander and back up through the west coast of Portugal and north west Spain. I love real Spain. I was looking for places of interest as I head down through France avoiding the motorways etc. Thanks again for all your help, I did like the pics. I also enjoyed Norway this year Doctor, I liked it so much I went back last month for my 2nd visit this year. I went to The Lofoten Islands, fantastic. This retiement job is the best job in the world, retire as young as you can, there is a big world out there needing some bikes to visit it.

[Flyingdoctor]

What was the weather like in Norway in August? I chose to go to Spain instead because it looked a bit dodgy but the reality may have been different.

Last year I went up as far a Roros in September and the days were clear blue skies, wonderful. This year I haven't been for the first time since '04 and I miss it.

Next year...

[tourman]

I had 10 days last month, (Aug) 2 days of rain and 1 day with showers. I think Norway is the best country for biking, very like Scotland but more of it. People say it is expensive, but if you watch what you are doing, it can be ok. I did over 7000 miles in Norway, spread over 2 trips this year. The far north is fantastic, but just east and north of Bergen towards Lom etc (road 55) is just great. I have biked lot of Europe, and hired bikes in Canada but Norway has been the best for me. I think I will go back next year, need to think about the ferry now with DFDS not sailing from Newcastle. I came back from Bergen (£124 with shared cab) last month on The Symril Line to Scrabster and it was very good. Some bikers were heading up to Iceland, after Scrabster, that has got me thinking!!!

[Wildman]

Originally Posted by tourman

Thinking about heading down through France in early October. I will cross using the Tunnel, then head for the south coast. I want to travel on good roads avoiding motorway. When I get to the coast I will ride accross the Pyrenees between France and Spain to the north of Spain. I will cross back to the UK from Santander, hope to do this over a 8 - 10 day period. I am looking for advice on roads down through France.

If it was me, I'd follow the D964 Sedan to Neufchatel, route des Granes Alpes Thonon les Bains to Sospel, across the south of France via the Cevennes National Park, visit Andorra (lots of motorcycle accessory shops with good kit very cheaply priced ads there's no tax), spend some time in and around (to the north of) Sort in the Pyrenees - super roads and off-road - then follow the D918 as close as I could to St. Jean de Luz. Means you miss the Millau Bridge though.

[dotcaf]

Hi,
Just got back from a 2 week jaunt down to the Pyrenees (across the French side then back on the Spanish side) and the Picos d'Europe. Thought I'd fill people in with my route and thoughts!

Pics and detailed road report here:
Trip around the Pyrenees and Picos d'Europe - September 2008