GPX - Provence, gorges and bends - Roubion / Vallberg / Puget-Théniers / Marie

[Wapping]

As an alternative to ploughing the Route Napoléon again, this from the 02/2024 edition of Motorrad magazine might be useful.




Where is it, mate:



Got a picture, mate:






See post #15 for the GPX file.

 

[Rasher]

Thats a nice run, Gorge du Daluis running down the West side is really nice (picture with red rock) has nice scenery and great bends without any sections of endless hairpins, IIRC the gorges du Cians is nowhere near as good but hardly like slogging arounf the M25 either.

I would probably take the D28 to Valberg across the top as its wider / faster / better surfaced than the D29, the D30 through Rubion is stunning, if a bit bumpy in places.

The 6202 along the bottom is a bit "dull" in this company, but Entrevaux is very pretty, and I don't think I have ridden Col de la Sinne - another one to add to the list ;-)

Some amazing roads all sit just North of this loop, Allos, Cayolle, Bonnette, Vars, Izoard to name but 5.

 

[Wapping]

Thanks, Rasher.

As Rasher says, there will always be better (or worse) ways of doing any route that is lifted from a magazine. They are what they are and the Germans at least do make an effort to publish some pretty good ‘touring’ magazines. This is something that the UK has never managed, though RiDE did have a go at it for a while. Look at the routes offered up, have a look at a map and at Google’s excellent StreetView and adopt or adapt as you see fit; very few will ever suit you exactly.

As regards ’bumpy’ bits, the party (including a girl) did take their Adventure (with a capital A) bikes along it:

 

[er-minio]

Done a few bits of this in the last few years and it is excellent. The gorges especially. I rode that bit for the first time a few years back and was impressed by finding "something new" in that part of France.

 

[Wapping]

Much of the ‘Var’ (north of the motorway, as the coast can be congested)) is indeed good to ride in, as is north into the Verdon. north-west into the Luberon, or north-east into the Mercantour. It’ll be blisteringly hot in summer.

 

[wessie]

Much of the ‘Var’ is indeed good to ride in, as north into the Verdon or north-wes’ish into the Luberon. It’ll be blisteringly hot in summer.

View attachment 299866

I stayed in Avignon for a few days in Mid April. The weather was mostly lovely, although Le Mistral was a bit fierce at times, especially late afternoon. The northern side of Mont Ventoux was still frozen but the roads in the Var would most likely be fine. I went up & back down the south ramp on a very sunny, crystal clear but very windy day. The Mont is well named!

 

[er-minio]

It’ll be blisteringly hot in summer.

Yes, I was there this summer for a week*, in the car, and I really didn't envy the people on two wheels this time.

Those areas are great in spring (also way less people) and also October, when the weather is miserable in the UK, but it is basically still spring/summer there.


*a bit east, Greoleries for a few days (and then Cassis), that is in the middle of nowhere, relaxing, and there are of course, amazing mountain roads where to have fun early in the morning

 

[Wapping]

Wessie makes a good point about the weather.

It snows in Nice and up into the Luberon in winter, with the aptly named Mount Always Windy, being a full on ski run. The Mistral might blow; clear blue skies but often bloody cold, even in early summer. Late August, early September might bring with it spectacular thunderstorms, as all the energy built up over the hot summer is released.

If you ever stay in a village down there in winter, avoid one which faces north.…. Or take a lot of warm clothes.

In the very height of summer, very little moves in the roads (other than tourists) between about 11:00 and 16:00. Get up and get out early, then sit in the shade.

 

[er-minio]

I might have posted this before, but these are the gorges in the route indicated by Wapping on the first post, this is just south of Guillaurmes.

 

[er-minio]

More of those gorges, plus ventoux on a good and bad day

 

[Wapping]

Thank you, er-minio for the pictures and film clips. These, along with the great contributions from others, help to give bods a good idea as to what the area (and the areas around) offer, whether it be on two-wheels or four.

Two days (or a day if you push it) will see you from Calais into the region. There are plenty of other posts on how to get there. Instant holiday plans, all for free.

 

[er-minio]

I have usually loads of (not so great) pictures and videos from my trips.
When you post routes I try to locate the roads and check if I have footage/photos and post them, yes for exactly that reason: give a clear idea of what the roads are.

Sometimes I might have some extremely boring GoPro videos of the roads, I'll upload them to YouTube and add.
I mostly keep the GoPro running to have footage for my 1 minute vacation videos, but road riding footage is generally boring so it ends up somewhere on the computer unused

 

[er-minio]

Found the Gorges video (from which that GIF above was extracted):

I actually have some footage from just about south of there. Car this time. This is part of the road that goes from Greoleries to Puget Theniers that is at the very bottom of the route from Motorrad. It's an extra 60km.

Very scenic route – gorges and big views – as well. Visible from 50 seconds in to 2:30ish, but the videos from motorbikes are obviously better for the views.

It has to be said that from this area you can easily go up the mountains or go for a swim in the sea easily. Find a central point to sleep and just plan accordingly.
It's the magic of this area.

That's all I have for this bit of France. Next!

 

[Rasher]

I like late June for that area, snow up on high passes - and they should all be open, can be a "bit hot" (Well 40c and muggy as fuck) in the low valleys, but it cools down real quick as you start going up again, and even 24-5c at the top of a pass feels very cool as it is a nice dry air, I always think my temp gauge must of fucked up when in the alps.

Early September also good, but I like the long days, not cos I want to ride for 16 hours, but I am not a fan of low sun in my eyes at the start / end of the day, Early June is probably really good if you don't mind the fairly high chance a few of the highest passes will be closed.

 

[Wapping]

I have roughed out the route in the opening post: