Planning for France June 2005

[BOB UK]

Hi All
It’s that time of year again time to plan the summer trip on the Bike
This year plan A is to go and ride the Route Des Grands Alpes in France the to stay for a few days down in the Verdon area and make my way home from there Iv got about 15 days which should be O.K. I reckon
If any one can help with advice about any of the following that would be great
Hotel in Annecy we will be camping most of the time but we have been to Annecy for the day but have never stayed there and S.W.M.B.O. would like to stay there for a few days close to or in the centre of town
After the luxury of the Hotel I would like to wild camp for at least one night on the route maybe in the area of Guillestre so if any one knows a good spot also what’s the law about wild camping in France it looks to me like the French just camp any where that looks good but do we know what is and is not legal?
Than I planed to make my way down top the Area round Castellane for the rest of the trip
S.W.M.B.O. would like to see the Lavender fields
I will be over there for the Summer Solstice does any one know of any thing going on like the thing at Stonehenge that wee could go to
Thanks for the help I like to have a rough Plan of where Im going before I set off I don’t often stick to it and never book in advance but it’s always good to have a plan

 

[Number 6]

Bob, if you're going to Castellane make sure you do the Grand Canyon loop, it's about 120 miles of stunning views starting and finishing in Castellane. There's plenty of camping along the route and great Hotels in the town which you don't need to book in advance.

 

[ebbo]

We have a very similar plan Bob. Over night ferry Hull/Zeebrugge. Then ride 400m to Champagnole for the first over night stop then straight in to the passes in the morning.

We had planned to go in May, but after talking to Tim and Martin from the Alpineroads website, we have put it back a month to late June to ensure all the passes will be open. I don’t know how long it will take to get to the coast, could be 3 days?

After the Grand Alps route, and depending on time left, we intend riding along the coast, visit Monte Carlo and ride the course, then up to Canyon du Verdon and home.

Probably end up nothing like that, but it’s a plan!

 

[adamski49]

After the Grand Alps route, and depending on time left, we intend riding along the coast, visit Monte Carlo and ride the course, then up to Canyon du Verdon and home.

We're doing this but the other way round with the Millau bridge thrown in for good measure. Third week in June. We'll wave as we go by in the other direction

Adam

 

[ebbo]

I did wonder about the Millau Bridge Adam, but though it was a bit off the route, does look nice though, I’ll take another look at the map tomorrow.

Thanks, Martin

 

[FatAl]

RE Annecy, there is a Novotel in the city centre, and one other from the Accor chain, (easy to book over the net) both are handy for the old part of town, and i think they have underground parking. If you would rather have a hotel lakeside there are a couple of nice looking ones at Tailloures a few miles south of the town. If you've got time have a go at paragliding from the mountain overlooking the lake, awesome views.

 

[Barrie]

Hi Bob,
here is another angle you might find of interest, check it out on the map to see what you think.
From Annecy go to Albertville, then Moutier, into Tarentaise Valley, go right to the end, Val d'Isere, over the top, Col d'Iseran & down to Bonnval, an exreamly beautiful Alpine village, from there you go back down the Maurienne Valley.
as far as St.Michel du Maurienne. ( That might be far enough for that day> Good little Logi hotel in St Jean du Maurienne, Hotel deL'Europe, 0033479 640633. biker friendly, about €70 for 2 per night.)
To continue, from St Michel you go up the Col du Telegraph/Galibier/Col du Laureret, there is a great Alpine garden there at the top. then down to Briancon. If you then feel more adventurous you can explore the remote area of Queyras with the village of St.Veran at the end of the valley. There are some cheap hotels and camping places in the Queyras
That is my recommendation, the only previso is that there is not late snow and the Cols are open!!!!
Enjoy the Alps,
Barrie.

 

[Barrie]

Bob,
Here is what the road looks like!

 

[adamski49]

Barrie

That looks exactly like the summer of 2003 where it was relief to get down to 25 deg when everywhere else was mid 30's and up.

We parked by that cafe and laid in the snow at the bottom right of the pic before riding to the top. It's also on this years route.

Adam

 

[BOB UK]

France

Thanks for all the help and ideas chaps sorry iv been so long getting back but iv had computer problems
All I have to do now is sort out the Ferry and hope for good weather

 

[Duncan Richmond]

Hi Bob,

Do not camp wild in France (it is illegal) I am told they are very hot on it, if you do, make sure you are well out of sight and not on private land. have a good trip.

Cheers

Duncan

 

[Allan Davies]

june 2005

Me and the wifey are also off to spain/france on june 19 from Pompy going into Bilbao, Jaca, Andorra (2 nights) (oh that n260) Sete, St Raphael (2N),Braincon, Chamonix(2N), Die, Albi, Arcachon (2N misses wants a tan) Sumur and finally Cherbourg can't wait to get back down there. We did it last time two up on the Aprilia RSV, misses wouldn't do it again, as she thought she was going to die. She could see the corners coming up to fast, so now I have a GS1200 is counting the days. May see you down by the Canyon on the pedloes.

 

[Possu]

Hi Bob,
here is another angle you might find of interest, check it out on the map to see what you think.
From Annecy go to Albertville, then Moutier, into Tarentaise Valley, go right to the end, Val d'Isere, over the top, Col d'Iseran & down to Bonnval, an exreamly beautiful Alpine village, from there you go back down the Maurienne Valley.
as far as St.Michel du Maurienne. ( That might be far enough for that day> Good little Logi hotel in St Jean du Maurienne, Hotel deL'Europe, 0033479 640633. biker friendly, about €70 for 2 per night.)
To continue, from St Michel you go up the Col du Telegraph/Galibier/Col du Laureret, there is a great Alpine garden there at the top. then down to Briancon. If you then feel more adventurous you can explore the remote area of Queyras with the village of St.Veran at the end of the valley. There are some cheap hotels and camping places in the Queyras
That is my recommendation, the only previso is that there is not late snow and the Cols are open!!!!
Enjoy the Alps,
Barrie.

D902 through Val d'Isere is a great route. French Alps are a must, photos here:

http://possu.smugmug.com/gallery/218590