France/Pyrenees route advice

[Adamj79]

Hiya all, hoping for a few suggestions for a forthcoming trip to the Pyrenees I'm in the early stages of planning for June next year.

There are at least 4 of us going, no passengers . We have travelled around Europe a few times before and distance wise I'd say 200-250 miles per day is easily achievable. The plan up to now is to get the overnight Portsmouth-St Malo ferry, then head down the West coast of France to around Bordeaux for the next night. From then on we have 4 full days till we catch the morning ferry from Bilbao back to the UK. We're planning to stay in cheap hotels along the way - either local b&b or ibis etc...

I've read some excellent ride reports on here (thanks Wapping & others) which have given me loads to think about - I appreciate the area is huge and although it would be great to go for longer its unfortunately not an option for this trip. My initial thoughts were to cut inland from Bordeaux and then head SE towards the Pyrenees before working back in the general direction of Pamplona & ultimately Bilbao for the ferry. I've got my Michelin maps & pins out, the only other thing is I've read several times that the N260 route is well worth a look along the way.

Any suggestions on where is a 'must see' etc..........?

 

[teejay]

Went last year, Portsmouth to Caen overnight boat then follow straightish route to Angoulemme via Domfort, Mayenne, Laval, Angers,Loudun, Poitoers staying at Premierre Class for overnight, cheap and ideal for one night stop. Walk towards town 5 mins and restuarant on left just before ambulance station, great food. Easy 250 miles as you get off ferry at 0700hrs don't bother with breakfast on boat, set off ride 'till about 9 and breakfast with the french.

Next day down through Riberac, Moussidan, Castillones, Agen, Auch, Lannemezan, Caedec and through tunnel to Ainsa staying at Hotel Dos Rios, again easy days ride. Find hotel through Hotel.Booking.com, others on site have used it, excellent value

We stayed there for 5 days and then came back same way but a suggestion for you to start with.


Teejay

 

[Adamj79]

Cheers Teejay - its something to think about. The ferry is booked - just need to finalise some kind of route to take in as many good places as possible.

Anyone else have any recommendations?

 

[Oliwoof]

you could head down to St.Jean Pied de Port and run East on the D918 which will then change to the D618 before you hit Bossost. This route will take in most of the major cols and is well worth doing. At Bossost head to Vielha, C28/C13 Sort and then do the N260 West all the way to Sabinanigo then Jaca and Pamplona.
Equip yourself with a reasonably detailed map like Michelin Central Pyrenees no.145 and explore what there is around. This will take 3 days without too many diversions so leaves plenty of time to look around. You can't go too far wrong around here, it's all pretty good.

Cheers Phil

http://www.pyreneesmotorcycletours.com

Ride the best roads

 

[Adamj79]

Thanks Phil - that seems like a great idea for a route on the face of things.

Trying to get everyone to agree on a route is easier said than done so I've taken it upon myself to try and pull something together that takes in some great roads together with nice places to stay and chill at the end of the day.

I see from your location you should know what you're talking about!!

Cheers though

 

[JWFr]

Hi,

Remember France is a big country, and your plan to hit Bordeaux in one go after you leave St Malo is certainly possible, but it's over 300 miles, more than your daily estimate. This is the most direct route, the A(N)10 Via Rennes;Nantes;La Rochelle;to Bordeaux and then it's only another 75 miles 'ish to Bayonne just east of the the Spanish Border. But that is main roads and autoroute the whole way. If your looking to get off the main drag, it will take you a lot longer than one day. I live 40kms west of Limoges, and it's a whole day down to Bayonne avoiding the main roads ( especially the Bordeaux by pass which by all accounts and some experience a few years back, is a numpties paradise!!)

If your looking for interesting rides in the Pyrenees area, get hold of a book by Toby Valentine :- 'Motorcycle journeys through Western Europe'. Packed full of useful stuff, including day trips; things to see; restaurants; accommodation;camping.

I 'm using it as a route planner for a forthcoming trip at the end of this month.

 

[piebaps]

We went via Oloron Ste Marie and St Jean Pied de Port then into the Baztan area of Spain.