Calais to Nice - rough ideas for areas to plan a route through

bakerlonglegs

bakerlonglegs

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Bonjour mes adventure biking mates,

This year's vacation avec herself involves a villa near Nice, me riding down, her flying down. I've allowed 3 days each way (my riding, not her flying, I think easyjet is quicker than that). Chunnel each way.

I've never ridden south of Normandy (there was a road trip round France in my early 20s, three lads in a Peugeot 205, slightly unsavoury, can't remember the route).

I could just divide the number of miles by the number of days and split the trip up evenly. However, does the tosser collective have any advice for nice areas to route through, spend more time in and zip through others?

I'm not after a sat nav route or fixed itinerary. I've got a book full of French b&bs, some maps and a phone with the internet on it. It's more a case of "avoid that general area it's boring/flat/a shithole" versus "aim to spend some in this area, it's lovely/picturesque/cracking riding". D'yer get me? Bon.

Merci :101
 
If you have never done the Route Napoleon, I'd say aim for Grenoble and do it all the way down to Nice.
 
Hi

So much choice. Rue de Grand Alpes will spit you out just above Monaco, Gorge du Tarn & Verdun, both stunning plus Millau.

As already mentioned, the RN on the N85, preferably northbound, as that the way it was originally taken.

When at Nice I can thoroughly recommend picturesque Eze and Beaulieu sur Mer which has the best beach.
 
1st night Annecy, then pick up the Route De Grand Alps. Don't plan your next two night's stops, wing it, It's never let me down. 4th night your villa near Nice ... :thumb
 
What ever you do take the SS20 from Cuneo in Italy across the border to the E74 in France this splits off to the D2204 to Nice. D2204 is awesome
Getting to Cuneo through North Italy is not scenic at all I would probably go via Gap south of Grenoble.

Cuneo itself is a revelation, beautiful city centre and the hotels are very reasonable. Even if you don't stay overnight worth a lunch stop.
 
As you say you haven't been far south before, just to be different, have a look at making your way down the Clermont Ferand and join the A75. Yes I know it an autoroute, but it is a nice one, and you're not on it for the sake of it being a motorway but because it crosses the Auvergne - there are several points over 1300m, with corresponding views over the Massiv Central. Not sure how far down off the top of my head, but you get to the only toll section - crossing the Millau Viaduc - which really is worth the few €'s they charge.
I come off at the next junction, and you can double back and have a look underneath if you wish. I continue more or less due east, crossing the Cevennes and ending at Uzes, which makes a nice coffee stop.
At each point you can have multiple options, south via Avignon and rapidly into the Luberon, take in Mont Ventoux, swoop down to George du Verdon then towards Castelane. From there there are heaps of well known Cols to ride down to Nice.
Alternatively, head slightly further north and traverse the Comtat, in to the Vercors before picking up the lovely RDGA (or forging your own variation, there isn't really a shortage of Cols and passes. You could save this and do it as part of your return trip.
I've heard people here still use a map, they will provide you with lots of possibilities.

I try to make sure I pass through Valence. A lunch at Maison Pic is divine. The bistro version, "Le 7", after the old RN7 which used to run past the front door. Excellent quality, superb service, modest prices and very good wine by the glass. We normally end up with paying €40ish each, 4 courses with the twiddly bits. There were several biker groups in there last time I was there. No need to feel over dressed.
If you are looking for modest accommodation the Ibis Budget is about a mile away to the south.

In Tain, about 30 minutes to the north of Valence, is the headquarters of fine French chocolate, Valrhona. The big building right on the main drag. If your loved one is a chocholic, then you may gain some points for getting her some thing delicious. Take one of those supermarket chill bags.

Many of my meanderings are attempts of seeking out vinyards and/or restaurants. The southern Rhone has many of both.

After a period of decline, the prolonged economic tightening has given smaller municiple campsites a bit of a boost. Off main road towns and villages seem to be cancelling ideas of turning theirs into light industrial units, and sprucing the pitches and showers up a bit.
During the school holidays the one at Veuil near Valencay is an out of time gem. Pitch in the playing field, you wash/shower in the school loos (kids are on holidays!) after getting a token from the bar or mayor. We were told to only pay (€2) if we felt it was worth it.
A cafe and bar about 20 yds away round the corner, and a Michelin recommended restaurant next door.
There is a decent, modernised campsite in Valencay, but no food worth the excursion, unless you picnic.
 
Giles said:
1st night Annecy, then pick up the Route De Grand Alps. Don't plan your next two night's stops, wing it, It's never let me down. 4th night your villa near Nice ... :thumb
Click to expand...
+1
That's what I'm doing in August. Day 1 is home to chunnel area. Day 2 Calais to Geneva area (Albertville hopefully). Day 3 is RdGA but I'm then heading over to Barolo, Italy for some wine!
 
Giles said:
1st night Annecy, then pick up the Route De Grand Alps. Don't plan your next two night's stops, wing it, It's never let me down. 4th night your villa near Nice ... :thumb
Click to expand...

Definitely the route to take.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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