Volcanoes, gorges and Mountains - a fantastic tour of France
This tour takes in the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes and the Alpes-Côte d'Azur regions of France. Both offer fantastic scenery, brilliant biking roads and great accommodation.
We start our tour with either an Eurotunnel or Hull crossing to our first overnight stop in France. Then head South to the through Burgundy, the Volcanic Massif central, and the Cevennes. We then move to the Alps for a 2 night stay in the Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, perfect for exploring the Verdon Gorge's. Suitable refreshed we return via the Route de Grande Alps to another 2 night stay in the shadow of Mont Blanc. Our final nights stop is in Northern France before heading to the crossing of your choice.
Although the tour has rest days, it will involve some long days and technical mountain roads, we therefore recommend it primarily for experienced riders who have ridden on the continent before.
This is an Escorted Tour which means that although the guide will be with you, you are responsible for doing your own navigation. We provide a Tour Pack which will include a full itinerary, GPX route files, and hotel locations. This system suits many people, as it allows them to ride at their own pace and style, either alone or in small groups. However, if you prefer, you may ride with the guide, who will act as your escort throughout the tour.
Tour prices are inclusive of the following:
- Return overnight Hull-Rotterdam ferry with en-suite cabin or Eurotunnel crossing
- 8 Nights' en-suite accommodation at 3 & 4 star hotels
- 8 Regional breakfasts
- 8 Evening meals
- Full use of the hotels' leisure facilities
- GPX route files
- Guided Day tours
- Services of experienced Tour Guide (Chris)
- Undercover parking where available
Not Included:
- Meals onboard ferries
- Tolls / Vignettes
Accommodation
All hotels are a mixture of 3 and 4 star all of good standard and most with leisure facilities.
The tour itinerary is based on a Northern crossing with the option to use a Southern crossing which will shorten the tour by two days. (see departure choice)
Friday 4th June: For those using the Northern crossing, you should make your way to Hull to catch the P&O overnight ferry to Rotterdam. You can board late afternoon, allowing you plenty of time to relax and enjoy the great onboard facilities. A 4-berth en-suite cabin (for 2) is included in your crossing. The ferry will dock approx. 8.30am the following morning, giving you the full day to make your way to you overnight stop near Reims. (270 miles).
Saturday 5th June: Those using the Southern crossing should arrive in time for a midday departure for their journey across France. Whichever crossing you have chosen, we will all meet-up and get to know one another at our first night's stop, a 4-star hotel in the Champagne region. 4-Star, Dinner and B&B
Sunday 6th June (300 miles): A long but rewarding day riding from Burgundy’s wine country into the rugged Massif Central, with volcanic puys and deep river gorges shaping the dramatic landscape. 4-Star, Dinner and B&B
Monday 7th June (195 miles): The ride heads south over the volcanic heights of Puy Mary before dropping into the dramatic Cévennes National Park with its gorges, plateaus, and granite peaks. By evening, the route winds toward your stop just outside Anduze. 3-Star, Dinner and B&B
Tuesday 8th June (220 miles): The day begins with a ride through the twisting Gorges de l’Ardèche and past the towering Pont d’Arc before heading over the Rhône toward the windswept slopes of Mont Ventoux. Continuing east, the route carries you through fragrant lavender fields and finishes with a two‑night stay in a charming village in the Alpes-Côte d'Azur. 3-Star, Dinner and B&B
Wednesday 9th June (Free day): A free day to either relax in the local area or ride out to the Verdon Gorge. 3-Star, Dinner and B&B
Thursday 10th June (240 miles): Today you choose between a fast, direct run past Grenoble to Albertville or a more ambitious ride through Briançon and the high Alpine cols of the Route des Grandes Alpes. Whichever route you take, it all leads to Chamonix Mont Blanc, where a two‑night stay lets you settle in and enjoy the heart of the French Alps. 3-Star, Dinner and B&B
Friday 11th June (Free day): For keen riders, the area offers superb twisting mountain roads and access to the demanding Mont Blanc “Grand Tour,” which crosses eight passes through three countries. Those preferring a quieter day can explore Chamonix’s many attractions, from glaciers and mountain trains to the Aiguille du Midi cable car, while staying at a family‑run hotel just outside town with free transport links into Chamonix. 3-Star, Dinner and B&B
Saturday 12th June (295 miles): Our chosen route today leaves behind the French Alps as we ride along Swiss motorways on the shores of Lac Leman, before passing back into France and the smaller Jura mountains. Apart from the brief use of a motorway to by-pass Dijon, we have the option to enjoy the very best of French provincial N roads, taking us to back to our final night’s stop near Troyes. 4-star hotel, Dinner and B&B.
Sunday 13th June: Today, we say goodbye to our fellow riders as we leave for the port of our choice. Those using the Southern crossing (250 miles) will be at Calais in time for an early afternoon crossing, whilst those on the Northern crossing (330 miles) head for Rotterdam and their overnight ferry.
Monday 14th June: The ferry docks at 0700hrs, giving us time to have breakfast before making our way home.
With customers from the whole length of the UK and Ireland, we understand that many of our northern clients dislike the ride down to the channel ferry ports – likewise it does not make sense for our many clients from the south to ride north to join a tour at Hull. Therefore, where possible, we arrange the first and last night’s hotel to be within similar riding distance of both Calais & Rotterdam.
For your increased comfort we have arranged more spacious 2/4 berth cabins (for 2) on all P&O Hull-Rotterdam crossings, and clients using the Southern crossing will have the convenience of crossing the channel using the Eurotunnel service.
Note:
The tour will be 2 nights shorter for those customers using the Eurotunnel and they will depart Saturday 5th June and return Sunday 13th June
As always, you may make your own arrangements and we will adjust costs accordingly.
Personal Travel cover and Breakdown Assistance Cover
On all European tours (including Southern Ireland) we require clients to take-out some form of Personal Travel and Accident/Breakdown cover. This is essential for repatriation of yourself and your motorcycle in the event of an accident or medical emergency. If you have an existing policy you should check that your company would repatriate your bike, even if undamaged, should you be unable to ride it (many do not!).
We also strongly urge you to take out insurance that includes cancellation cover in the event of accident, illness or redundancy when you make your booking.
| Tour Cost |
Hull ferry |
Eurotunnel |
| Two persons, one bike, shared room |
£1520 ea |
£1335 ea |
| One person, one bike, shared room |
£1620 |
£1445 |
| One person, one bike, own room* |
£2170 |
£1887 |
Deposit £150 per person
* (based on single hotel room & single cabin on ferry)
Note: all prices based on current VAT rates and Euro-GBP rates as of July 2026
If booking to share a room without knowing a second person, please refer to our T&C's