Just as you think you have discovered France - Vercors

[Wapping]

I went and had a look a couple of weeks ago. It's a reasonably brisk morning's ride from Digne les Bains.

The area (it's not large) is well worth a detour / overnight stop / a day riding about.

Unfortunately I did not have time to visit the memorial / museum to the 100's of French Resistance fighters murdered by the Germans.

Nice hotel on the top of the Col de la Machine. Just in passing, I found out what the 'Machine' was. The area was used by a lot of charcoal makers, working at the top of the col. They used a giant wheel (la Machine) to lower / pull stuff down / up. I believe it dated to the Middle Ages.

The road up (Col de Rousset D518) which forks left onto the Col de la Machine:

The top of the Col and the hotel, right at the top:

Views a few yards from the hotel:

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The new road, the old road, again a few yards from the hotel:

 

[Ogmios]

oh nothing.....

just;

WOW!

great info (maps help - i've no gps thingy)
good pics.
and a Logis hotel too.

gotta get to that end of France now

Thanks for posting.

 

[Wapping]

This month's (September / October 2015) - Issue 30 - of Adventure Bike Rider magazine has a pretty good article on the region

PS The article's end piece maybe puts a small pin into the 'I never book anything, just turn up' balloon. As the author found out, a very rural but popular destination may well result in all the hotels being full in July / August. But hey, that's Adventure for you.

 

[gerarddwatts]

Thanks for resurrecting this wapps, I hadn't seen it, before my time but I agree ...stunning region, well worth visiting.

More info and pix if you can be arsed..

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php/403399-Vercors-National-Park

Must try and find mag somewehere between Sussex and Scotland.....

 

[Wapping]

More info and pix if you can be arsed.......

Thanks for the link and the amusing battle with the pictures

 

[mcinlb]

This month's (September / October 2015) - Issue 30 - of Adventure Bike Rider magazine has a pretty good article on the region

PS The article's end piece maybe puts a small pin into the 'I never book anything, just turn up' balloon. As the author found out, a very rural but popular destination may well result in all the hotels being full in July / August. But hey, that's Adventure for you.

I was planning another trip up the Route Napoleon when I read the ABR article, now planning a suitable detour to cover the same route. Looks fantastic.......

 

[Tinytim]

Yes. Thanks for bumping this up. Bloody lovely

 

[Engineer]

Been going there since 2005 - a brilliant place and you MUST stay at this hotel - it is the LAW!

http://www.hotellemarronnier.com/Accueil.htm

https://www.facebook.com/hotel-le-Marronnier-48641794131/timeline/

 

[Deleted account 240901001]

Can all those recommending good places in France to visit please just fuck off? Last thing France needs is more "Twat-suited adventure" motorcyclists......
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[Timolgra]

Can all those recommending good places in France to visit please just fuck off? Last thing France needs is more "Twat-suited adventure" motorcyclists......
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Riding around France is a bit like an apprenticeship, something you do in your teens....akin to sweeping the floor, then later in retirement .....akin to tending your herbaceous border, anything bewteen is

 

[Rasher]

Stopped off on way back from RDGA trip in 2011 - only had 2 days to ride around the area, going back next year and stopping for four nights giving us another 3 days riding.

Adventure Bike Rider featured the region in this months magazine which may still be on the shelves.

I think it is worthy of a few days exploring and an ideal for a weeks holiday taking into account getting to and from the UK, or add a stopover to an Alps trip.

 

[Kiwi_Mike]

Been going there since 2005 - a brilliant place and you MUST stay at this hotel - it is the LAW!

http://www.hotellemarronnier.com/Accueil.htm

https://www.facebook.com/hotel-le-Marronnier-48641794131/timeline/

Have just booked a night for our trip in August based on your recommendation. If we mention your name will we get an extra serving of frites de pommes with our steak?

 

[Engineer]

Have just booked a night for our trip in August based on your recommendation. If we mention your name will we get an extra serving of frites de pommes with our steak?

Yes probably - tell Jean Francois (the owner) that Alex, Will and Karen cannot make it this year but we will be back. They are great hosts and beer/dinner on the terrace on a warm Summer evening is the perfect end to a day's riding - you should really spend a few days there if possible and do all the Vercors roads.

 

[Redboots]

Just as you think you have discovered France.... up pops something else.

Old thread I know, but was searching for something else when this place: Palace Ideal cropped up.

I was there in '99. Just somewhere to stop and visit

 

[Wapping]

...but was searching for something else when this place: Palace Ideal cropped up.

Good one.

Thanks for the interesting link.

Richard