Destination unknown ! France middle bit

[JonnyBravo]

In June we will be getting off the boat in R'dam
its a 7 days trip, Monday night out of Hull to Monday night back from R'dam
We find this works well as Monday night is often when hotel restaurants are shut!

This is the very rough plan at the moment but I need to add another good 2 1/2 days to this and the area marked red is an unknown to us both
Any suggestions for this area to head for and make the loop bigger?

We like France and Belgium and have had great success with Logis Hotels and great food
- Germany not so much as it has a distinct lack of cafes and small lunch stop villages according to the wife but the beer and tucker in the evenings is always top notch!
Switzerland is out - very pretty just taking the piss with costs, all around.
We normally do about 4 1/2 hrs actual riding everyday but more is not a problem

On our last day, the monday we can cover some big ground if needed on the motorways as the ferry doesnt leave until something like 8pm
Everything is flexible right now. We like to keep moving and not stop in one place more than a night, keep seeing new things.


and dont worry - I'm not asking for the actual route !




many thanks

 

[Flintlock]

The Vercors region is a lovely area to explore

 

[Wapping]

That’s a huge area.

The immediate thoughts are:

A. The Morvan, circled green

B. Côte d’Or, circled blue

C. Haute Jura, circled yellow. Though that is maybe too far south of your route’s black line

 

[er-minio]

I rode through Haute Jura a few years ago and it was lovely. I might have some messy routes & tracks in my basecamp.

Also: I regularly ride off motorway between Remis/Troyes and Dijon on my way to Italy. There are a few very pleasant flowing routes, but nothing "oh my god" like the southern area.
I think it's one of the areas indicated by Richard (blue circle).

Sorry for the messy screenshot, but this is my collection of route/tracks over the years.
Sections near the green markings.

 

[JonnyBravo]

Very much appreciated - Yes its a big area but you have already come up trumps with 3 great suggestions to narrow it down
All 3 are doable I think - including Haute Jura
I can easily miss out the black forest on the way back for example, we have been there before and just concentrate on France
Better to go somewhere new I'm thinking with the missus on the back


And thanks to Grantmac for the DM - you are a gold mine of information and help !

 

[Arsey]

The Vercors region is a lovely area to explore

But not in the area he’s asking about

 

[Wapping]

The Vercors region is a lovely area to explore

Indeed, but a long way south. Beyond Grenoble.

 

[Berin]

The Vosges and Gerardmer/Colmar region, right in your Strasbourg/Freiburg loop.

 

[er-minio]

I agree with Berin.
If you are avoiding Germany on the way back, the route suggested is very nice and very interesting to ride.

 

[Wapping]

can easily miss out the black forest on the way back for example

In which case, I might suggest:

Turn right (southwards) between point three and four in post #1

Down into the Morvan and then swing up past Chal-s-S / Besancon / Belfort / Colmar

Cross again around point four, before headingnorthwards through the Vosges in the rough direction of Saarbrucken

 

[er-minio]

Agree.
Also you can ride a bit more west than Verdun and end up south of Reims/Epernay region:


Few nice roads and pleasant sleepy places where to stop and relax a bit.
Loop back to Basel/intended route and ride back across the route suggested by Berin, and Nancy area. Makes for a nice loop.

 

[grantmac]

Verdun south into Champagne country is one of my favourite routes. Heading then south into Le Morvan is great. Several great places to stay around there.
East then into the Vosges and if necessary across into the Black Forest or the B500 (optional) close to Colmar or stick inside the French side all the way back up through the Vosges. Some great riding around that area!

 

[JonnyBravo]

Very rough but totally doable

2200km and 4 hours riding a day
Make it a big day 1 and Day 7 - lots of time left to expand onto smaller roads for days 2-6

thanks Gents top help indeed

 

[Wapping]

I’d go from 30 straight down to 37.

Have a look at:

Thread 'GPX - Quarre les Tombes / Top of the Morvan'

Apr 12, 2023

Quarre les Tombes is a pretty good destination for anyone heading to the top of the Morvan. The village is on a major crossroads junction, so it gives access to lots of other roads into the region.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/AwKFz5w846G2uB7j7?g_st=ic

It is a small to medium sized village but, for its size, is well served with:

Two bars / cafes

Two hotels and another three miles away

An unmanned self-service 24/7 twin pump petrol station: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Q4NPZ2UrG5naB4Gw9?g_st=ic

A...

• Wapping
• Replies: 19
• Forum: Accommodation

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[J biker]

The green bits! National parks. Cant go wrong.
A word of caution, take your motorcycle security seriously. Esp. in the bigger towns. Just because a parking area has security, doesnt mean it is ok.
From experience.

 

[grantmac]

Not sure if @JonnyBravo is stopping at waypoint 34 for the night in which case I did recommend this place which we have used before. Great hotel, Fantastic restuarant and amazing Spa and indoor pool.

Logis Hôtel Aux Maisons

Welcome to the Aube region, just twenty minutes from Troyes. Set in an unspoiled, bucolic landscape, the team at the Logis Hôtel Restaurant Aux Maisons invites holidaymakers, business travelers, and discerning visitors alike to enjoy a timeless retreat on the doorstep of Burgundy. The story...

www.logishotels.com

If heading straing down can also recommend this place in Carre Les Tombes.

Logis Hôtel le Morvan

Driesterrencomfort in het hart van het Regionaal Natuurpark van de Morvan, op 30 minuten van Avallon en Vézelay. De schoonheid van de landschappen, de rust van het platteland, de charme van een hotel dat eruitziet als een “pension”, de verfijnde keuken van een gastronomisch restaurant... het...

www.logishotels.com

Also stayed here before. Great rooms with Aircon and the restaurant is also superb

 

[ChasF]

Just a couple of suggestions both inside your red circle:

Guidelon - medieval castle under construction. Approximately half way between Auxerre and Giens

The Valromey and Plateau d’Hauteville - beautiful, very rural area to the south east of Bourg en Bresse. Nice roads and scenery. I used to spend a lot of time here mostly trail riding.

 

[Wapping]

Guidelon - medieval castle under construction.

They’re taking their time.

 

[Jockser]

The Morvan, circled green

Definitely worth a visit, although it's unfinished business for me - I had a mechanical issue on my second day in the park so had to cut my visit short but I will return

Also, if you plan a little detour to Mulhouse between points 42 & 44 you can spend some time in the Schlumpf Collection

Musée National de l'Automobile à Mulhouse - Collection Schlumpf

Le Musée National de l’Automobile situé à Mulhouse détient la plus importante collection automobile du monde réunissant plus de 450 voitures d’exception.

www.musee-automobile.fr

 

[Wapping]

(Morvan) Definitely worth a visit,

A compact enough area for an overnight stop and a full day or two. Very different (physically and economically) to its Côte d’Or neighbour, not far away to the east.