Western Coast

[norfolkbikerlad]

Hey Guys,

Thinking of riding down the west coast of France next year on our way to Nice and Vienna. Gonna spend about three days riding down to Bordeaux area, then over to Nice, onto Vienna then home. Any info gratefully received.
Cheers

 

[Racey]

What sort of info ?

Where to stay ? Where to ride off road ? Where to eat ? What to see ?

 

[ChasF]

We're about 1.5 to 2 hours inland from Bordeaux and can offer BandB and self catering accommodation. Nice would be 10 to 12 hours drive from here and Vienna a further few days. Sounds like an interesting trip

 

[Schtum]

Thinking of riding down the west coast of France next year on our way to Nice and Vienna.

Don't ride down the coast road. It's as boring as hell with the only bit of interest being the ferry crossing over the Gironde from Royan to Le Verdon-Sur-Mer. Go inland a bit.

 

[norfolkbikerlad]

Cheers guys,
Mainly where to stay, what roads to ride for a bit of scenery etc. we dont bother too much with off raod, i was in the British Offroad rally team for 4 years, do trials over here so dont have the urge to do it on the GS, that will come in a few years when we do the North Africa trip!!!!
Any info greatly received though

 

[Deleted account 210609001]

West coast is pretty nondescript (although coming from Norfolk maybe even the slightest gradient will count as a hill in your book. )

Personally, I'd stay inland and south of the Loire, it gets interesting - good roads and scenery. Kind of Orleans, Limoges, Brive, Cahors. From Cahors you can head west along Lotand Garonne valleys for a bit towards Bordeaux. With plenty of time, you can stay off autoroutes and you'll have fun.

Or, stay further East still - Montlucon, Ussel, Aurillac and find some great roads and scenery.

And if you haven't done the Millau bridge, factor that in to your journey across to Nice. And the Gorge de Verdon near Nice.

Route to Vienna via any combination of passes in the Alps is a whole separate thread, but have a look at www.alpineroads.com to get some ideas.

No real ideas about where to stay, but I'm a big fan of Logis de France - almost always a bit more individual than the chain hotels.