guys...doing the Route Napoleon in September, leaving on the 11th, and away for 6 days. Intend to go via Troyes ( to avoid Paris) then onto Grenoble, and the start of Route Nap, to Cannes, need some suggestions for places to stay. Intend to come back on the Route Napoleon to Grenoble, then open to suggestions, for blast home. Any other tips appreciated. Thanks rewy
Been before? you will love it mate!! We are staying here in Castellane (bottom of the RN - town is meant to be nice) Accomodation in the Camping la Ferme de Castellane, Gorges du Verdon got a chalet per 2 people and worked out around £12.50pp/pn... as for Grenoble we are stopping just up the roas in Seez at the end of the D1090 in this place. Photos - Hôtel Relais des Villards - hôtel
as pm mate check this out. Could be an option? Let the train take the strain! Lol http://1000rr.co.uk/touring/8231.htm
Hi could be option, could save 800 miles of fuel, tolls and 2 nights hotel accomodation, and give us more time down south and then ride home. I have spoken to company today, they cant give a price yet for travel in September, prices should be out end of March Will keep you updated Rewy
I would ride down and train back - another +1 for Castellane as good place to stay. You can also go over the Alps via Geneva and the Col Iserain after a night in Bourg St. Mourice to make the trip down more interesting. I did that route in June 2012 and loved it so any questions just ask - I'm guessing you are taking a week off work - if you can possibly take the tunnel Friday after work I would ride for an hour down towards Reims and stop the night , will dig out Ibis in the town as an idea - this saves a huge part of the next day with the time change etc. if you take a Sat am tunnel / ferry.
I'll second Alblade's great advice. Definitely worth crossing the Channel on Fri night after work as you won't notice the loss of the hour's time difference as much on the Fri night and there's nothing better waking up on Sat morning, fresh and ready for a day's glorious riding on the Continent! Even if you can't get to Folkestone until late on Friday there's an Ibis & Etap as soon as you roll off the Eurotunnel in Coquelles (Calais), but if you can make it a bit further you'll feel like you're even more into your holiday when you set off on Saturday morning. We usually set off on Fri after work in London, head straight for the first Eurotunnel train available when we get to the terminal, pick up one of the best hotdogs you can get in England at the van right before the last barrier to get on the train (also gives you something to do during the 25 min journey), then still have time for the first 'Holiday Pint' in France. Man, that pint always tastes so good! Check out Accor Hotels or Logis Hotels for good, cheap accommodation with the latter being more authentically French and really good value usually.
My suggestion for a Fri night digs is Cambrai on way towards Reims - Ibis is on the first roundabout almost as you leave the motorway - its just over an hour there on an easy route. On the Sat morning take motorway for another hour down to St.Dizier then pick p D roads via Langres, Gray, Dole to Poligny. From their either head to Geneva or Bourg St. Maurice if time allows but think that's a stretch too far for a day - plus Geneva to Bourg is a good option. Loads and loads of choices though
Hi all...thanks for your help and advise, plan is to leave UK to Wednesday, using the Channel Tunnel, getting into Calais at about 9.30/10.am and getting back late Monday Will be on the Route Napoleon on Friday, overnight stop in Cannes/Nice and then doing the RN the other way on Saturday stopping at Grenoble,( overnight) then got 2 days to get home Thats the plan...
Chaps! Hope rewyr1 doesn`t mind me linking my dilema to his, but I too am planning a tour with a pal this year and I was thinking Route Des Grand Alps. However, the more I look into it and notice that Route Napolean is there or there abouts too for the return journey, I would value any advice or info anyone could give me on this. I`m not sure if it would be too much to do both routes, or whether there is a better way of linking the two??? So far I have mapped out Calais to Thonon-les-baines to Menton. Now I`m considering Menton to Grasse to Grenoble to Calais. Any advice greatly appreciated, cheers ;-)
Hi Paul, not a problem mate, the more info that we can both get, the better, good to hear from other guys, who have done a similar trip. No doubt we will both pick up some tips. Regards Rewy
That's not a huge amount of time down there, is there no way to hop over channel night before? That said the RN is great but def. watch for Police in daytime - saw a fair few but always within 5km of the main towns (Digne Le Bains). I'm guessing Wed night you want to be somewhere above Geneva , then Thursday you can do some interesting route to Grenoble or just south to hook up with the RN. Just about time for what you want, but I can assure you that you will wish you had more time down in the South of France. Did this route last June as have others off here so ask away any questions - I really need to edit the video / do a trip report some time of that route.
How was the weather in June mate? I can`t seem to get any clear info regarding best times to travel? Cheers, Paul.
Hi Paul Understand June should be OK, I was going to go in May (but have had to change to early September) have been told that could still be some snow on higher ground early May Regards Rewy
Passes in ALps (the high ones) only open end May / early June - one I wanted to take (Col DI'serain) was closed still - gutted In full bike kit you melt as you get south when you stop - McDonalds are all air conditioned mind - drink loads of water as you will de-hydrate
