Black Forest & Vosges Motorcycle Tour
June 2024 | 7 Days | France & Germany
Our June 2024 adventure through the Black Forest and Vosges Mountains delivered everything a motorcycle tour should: legendary roads like the B500, perfect summer weather, stunning scenery, and great camaraderie. From the circuit at Reims-Gueux to the trenches of Linge, sweeping through Germany’s Black Forest and France’s Vosges, this compact 7-day tour packed in incredible riding and unforgettable memories.
Day 1: Le Shuttle to Châlons-en-Champagne
Our Black Forest & Vosges tour began with handshakes and introductions at Le Shuttle, fingers crossed for good weather as we headed across France. After lunch, we programmed our sat navs to avoid motorways—the theme for the entire tour. Taking back roads all afternoon, the rain held off though it was more than a tad breezy at times! A photo stop at the historic Circuit de Reims-Gueux, then on to our hotel in the lovely town of Châlons-en-Champagne. Tomorrow: the Black Forest and Baden-Baden.
Day 2: Châlons-en-Champagne to Black Forest via Vosges
Fingers crossed again for weather—and it worked! A few spits of rain as we left, but the further east we travelled toward Germany and the Black Forest, the more things improved. Our ride took us through the Lorraine region, across the Moselle River, and into the Northern Vosges. A wonderful mix of roads today, from sweeping bends to more challenging sections in the Vosges. Temperatures hit 27°C as we took the ferry across the Rhine into Germany. Final coffee stops, then on to our hotel for the next two nights—right on the edge of the Black Forest at the start of the legendary B500.
Day 3: Black Forest Ride Out – B500 & Lake Constance
Rest or ride out day. Stuart decided on a trip down to Lake Constance while the rest opted for the Black Forest ride out. We waited for local mist to clear, then headed straight onto the B500 from our hotel. What an amazing piece of tarmac—smooth with flowing corners, an absolute joy to start the day. We dodged the rain most of the day with just the odd shower here and there, but nothing to dampen spirits. Not surprising considering these wonderful roads and stunning scenery. Stuart reported an excellent run to Lake Constance, and our day finished with a fantastic meal in the hotel restaurant. Tomorrow: the Vosges, with 30°C forecast!
Day 4: Black Forest to Vosges via B500 & Rhine
We headed back to France today, but not before spending most of the day riding more awesome Black Forest roads. Perfect weather as we set off: clear sky and 24°C. Started with the B500, stopping at Mummelsee for photos, then our first coffee stop where Dave was asked to “read” a Danish football magazine for a film crew! Sweeping roads were the order of the day—just brilliant. More of the same after lunch before heading back over the Rhine and into the Vosges, where we’d stay for two nights.
Day 5: Vosges Mountains Ride Out – Linge Memorial
Ride out day around the wonderful Vosges Mountains. Thunderstorms had been forecast but didn’t materialize—we had perfect riding weather between 20-25°C all day. Started with a visit to the museum and trenches at Linge, a sobering reminder of the sacrifices made by previous generations. Our ride continued on the wonderful Vosges roads, which sweep, twist, and turn through wooded areas and open countryside. With little traffic, it really is a playground for bikers. Final coffee stop at the highest peak in the area, then back to our hotel for another excellent meal. Heading north tomorrow for our last overnight stop in the Ardennes.
Day 6: Vosges to Ardennes via Verdun Ossuary
We headed away from the wonderful Vosges region toward Lorraine National Park, crossing the Moselle River and heading north toward Belgium and the Ardennes. Our final stop of the day was at the Ossuary Memorial near Verdun, built to honor the fallen in the 300-day Battle of Verdun in WW1. Thoughts gathered, we headed on to Belgium for our last hotel, right on the banks of the Semois River. Another great day’s riding with lots of chat over dinner about tour highlights and thoughts of returning to these areas in the future.
Day 7: Ardennes to Calais & Home
A misty start in the Ardennes on our last day on tour. We headed northwest, crossing back and forth between Belgium and France on the back roads. A few photo and coffee stops en route to Calais and our Eurotunnel train back to the UK. A fabulous tour with a great bunch of riders—many laughs, great roads, wonderful food, and weather better than expected. Excellent!
Interested in joining us on a future Black Forest & Vosges tour? Get in touch or view our upcoming guided tours.