Motorcycle Tours to France: Discover Europe’s Most Diverse Riding Destination
France is far more than just a transit country to the Alps. With world-class mountain passes, stunning gorges, rolling vineyard roads, and some of Europe’s best motorcycling tarmac, motorcycle touring in France deserves to be a destination in its own right. From the legendary Route Napoléon to the dramatic Gorge du Verdon, from the highest paved roads in the Alps to the sweeping curves of the Vosges Mountains, France offers incredible variety for riders seeking adventure, stunning scenery, and world-renowned cuisine.
Whether you’re conquering the Col de l’Iseran (the highest paved pass in the Alps), exploring the spectacular Vercors plateau, or carving through the hairpins of the Jura region, motorcycle tours in France deliver unforgettable experiences on every curve.
Why Choose France for Your Motorcycle Tour?
France offers motorcyclists an unbeatable combination that few countries can match. The road infrastructure is exceptional with smooth, well-maintained tarmac designed for driving pleasure. The country’s geographic diversity means you can ride through six distinct landscapes in a single tour—from Mediterranean coastlines to snow-capped Alpine peaks, from dense forests to sun-baked Provençal plateaus. French cuisine and wine culture turn every meal stop into a memorable experience, whether it’s fresh croissants for breakfast, a leisurely lunch in a mountain village, or evening dining in historic town squares.
The riding season runs from May through October with excellent weather, the roads are significantly less crowded than Italy or Switzerland despite being equally spectacular, and accommodation options range from charming family-run hotels to luxurious châteaux. France truly is a motorcyclist’s paradise waiting to be discovered.
Top Motorcycle Roads and Regions in France
Route Napoléon (N85)
The legendary Route Napoléon follows the historic path taken by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1815 during his march from Elba to Grenoble. This iconic N85 road is renowned among European motorcyclists for its perfectly cambered corners, sweeping curves, and spectacular mountain scenery. Starting from Grenoble, the route heads south toward the Côte d’Azur, crossing the Col Bayard (1,248m) and Col des Leques with numerous scenic viewpoints perfect for coffee stops.
The tarmac is smooth, the corners flow beautifully, and the Alpine backdrop is breathtaking. Riders often describe the Route Napoléon as one of Europe’s finest motorcycle roads—a perfect blend of technical riding and stunning vistas. The route passes through charming Provençal towns like Castellane, situated on the banks of the Verdon River, offering excellent overnight stops with authentic French hospitality.
Gorge du Verdon – Europe’s Grand Canyon
The Gorge du Verdon is often called “Europe’s Grand Canyon” and for good reason. This spectacular limestone canyon plunges up to 700 meters deep, with turquoise waters of the Verdon River winding through dramatic cliffs. The canyon offers two incredible riding routes: the northern Route des Crêtes (D23) with its stunning viewpoints perched on cliff edges, and the southern Corniche Sublime (D71) that descends into the gorge itself.
Both roads feature tight hairpins, sweeping bends, and jaw-dropping views at every turn. The nearby medieval village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, one of France’s most beautiful villages, makes a perfect lunch stop. The Lake of Sainte-Croix at the gorge’s western end offers crystal-clear waters ideal for a refreshing swim after a morning’s ride. This is motorcycling at its absolute finest—technical, scenic, and utterly unforgettable.
Col de l’Iseran – Highest Paved Pass in the Alps
At 2,764 meters (9,068 feet), the Col de l’Iseran holds the title of the highest paved mountain pass in the entire Alps. Located in the Savoie region, this legendary pass links the Tarentaise and Maurienne valleys with 47 kilometers of spectacular alpine riding. The ascent features countless hairpin bends, each revealing increasingly dramatic views of glaciers, snowfields, and jagged peaks.
The summit, often still surrounded by snow walls even in July and August, offers a surreal moonscape environment and a well-deserved café stop. The descent is equally thrilling with tight switchbacks and stunning valley views. Riding the Col de l’Iseran is a true bucket-list experience for any serious motorcyclist—the combination of altitude, scenery, and technical challenge is simply unmatched. The pass is typically open from late June through September, depending on snow conditions.
Col de la Bonette – France’s Highest Paved Road
Rising to 2,715 meters (8,907 feet), the Col de la Bonette is the 7th highest paved road in France and one of the most spectacular rides in Europe. Located in the Parc National du Mercantour near the Italian border, this pass showcases incredible contrasts—lush alpine greenery at the base transforming into stark, barren lunar landscapes at the summit.
The road features beautifully engineered sweeping curves that allow you to carry speed while drinking in the panoramic views. The famous loop road around the Cime de la Bonette peak adds an extra 2 kilometers and takes you even higher for 360° views across the Southern Alps. The descent toward Jausiers reveals dramatic mountain vistas and charming alpine villages. Combined with nearby passes like Col du Vars and Col d’Izoard, the Bonette forms part of an epic day’s riding through the Mercantour Alps.
Vercors Plateau & Combe Laval
The Vercors is a dramatic limestone plateau between Grenoble and Valence, offering some of France’s most spectacular “balcony roads.” The crown jewel is Combe Laval, often considered one of the most magnificent motorcycle roads in the French Alps. This narrow road is literally carved into a vertical cliff face hundreds of meters above the valley floor.
Riding Combe Laval is an adrenaline-pumping experience as you navigate tight curves with sheer drops to one side and towering cliffs on the other—definitely not for riders uncomfortable with heights! The Gorges de la Bourne and Col de Rousset offer equally dramatic riding through tunnels carved through solid rock and roads clinging to gorge walls. The Vercors is a hidden gem that delivers world-class riding away from the crowds of more famous Alpine passes.
Vosges Mountains – The Hidden Gem
The Vosges Mountains in eastern France are often overlooked by international riders but revered by French motorcyclists as a true biker’s paradise. This mid-altitude mountain range (peaks around 1,400m) offers an incredible density of twisty roads with minimal traffic, smooth tarmac, and beautiful forested scenery.
The famous Route des Crêtes (D430/D431) runs along mountain ridges delivering endless hairpins, sweeping bends, and stunning vistas across the Rhine Valley toward Germany’s Black Forest. Grand Ballon (1,424m), the highest peak, offers 360° panoramic views on clear days. The Vosges feature perfect motorcycling roads—not too high to be weather-dependent, yet mountainous enough for thrilling riding. The region’s Alsatian villages, wine routes, and local cuisine (tarte flambée, choucroute) add cultural richness to the riding experience.
Jura Region – Rolling Mountain Roads
The Jura region along the Swiss border offers gentler but equally rewarding motorcycle touring. These rolling limestone mountains feature sweeping roads through dense forests, past pristine lakes, and across high plateaus. The riding style is different from the high Alps—more flowing and rhythmic with long, fast curves perfect for sport-touring bikes.
Routes like the D678 through the Vallée de Joux and roads around Lac de Vouglans provide excellent riding with beautiful scenery. The region is famous for Comté cheese, Jura wines, and charming market towns—perfect for leisurely touring that balances riding pleasure with cultural exploration. The Jura makes an excellent addition to any French Alps tour or a destination for riders seeking quieter, less technical roads with wonderful scenery.
Best Time for Motorcycle Tours in France
The ideal season for motorcycle touring in France runs from May through October, with each period offering distinct advantages:
May-June: Spring in the French Alps and mountains means lush green landscapes, wildflowers in bloom, and moderate temperatures (15-25°C). High passes like Col de l’Iseran and Col de la Bonette typically open late May to early June depending on snowmelt. Roads are quieter before peak tourist season, and hotels offer better rates. Perfect for riders who prefer cooler weather and don’t mind occasional spring showers.
July-August: Peak summer brings guaranteed warm weather (20-30°C), all passes fully open, and long daylight hours for extended riding. However, expect more traffic on famous routes, busier accommodation, and higher prices. Early morning starts help avoid crowds on popular passes. This is ideal for riders wanting maximum sunshine and the full Alpine experience.
September-October: Autumn is arguably the best time for French motorcycle tours. Roads become quieter as school holidays end, temperatures remain pleasant (15-25°C), and the changing foliage adds spectacular colors to mountain scenery. September offers stable weather, while October can be more variable. High passes begin closing in late October as winter approaches. Perfect for experienced riders seeking the best conditions without crowds.
What Makes French Motorcycle Tours Special?
Exceptional Road Quality: France invests heavily in road infrastructure. Expect smooth, well-maintained tarmac on major routes and mountain passes, with excellent signage and regular rest areas.
Culinary Excellence: Every meal is an experience. Start with fresh croissants and strong coffee, enjoy three-course lunches at village bistros, and dine at charming restaurants serving regional specialties. French wine, cheese, and bread elevate simple picnics into gourmet experiences.
Cultural Richness: Medieval villages, Roman ruins, Gothic cathedrals, and World War memorials provide cultural depth. Each region has distinct character—Provence’s lavender fields, Savoie’s alpine chalets, Alsace’s half-timbered houses.
Geographic Diversity: Ride through six distinct landscapes in one tour: Mediterranean coastline, Alpine peaks, volcanic plateaus, limestone gorges, rolling vineyards, and dense forests. No other European country offers such variety.
Motorcyclist-Friendly Culture: France welcomes motorcyclists. Hotels accommodate bikers, restaurants have bike parking, and locals appreciate the motorcycling passion. You’ll find excellent camaraderie at popular passes.
Conclusion: France – The Ultimate Motorcycle Touring Destination
France offers everything serious motorcyclists dream of: legendary roads like the Route Napoléon and Gorge du Verdon, the highest paved passes in the Alps, hidden gems like the Vosges and Vercors, exceptional cuisine and wine, diverse landscapes from Mediterranean to Alpine, and a genuine motorcycling culture that welcomes riders.
Whether you’re conquering the Col de l’Iseran at 2,764 meters, carving through the hairpins of Combe Laval, or exploring the dramatic Gorge du Verdon, motorcycle touring in France delivers unforgettable experiences on every curve. The combination of world-class riding, stunning scenery, and French joie de vivre creates adventures that stay with you long after you’ve returned home.
So start planning your French motorcycle tour today. Whether it’s a week in the Vosges, ten days exploring the Route Napoléon and Provence, or an epic Alpine adventure crossing Col de l’Iseran and Col de la Bonette—the roads of France are calling. Bon voyage!
Highlights from Motorcycle Tours in France
Combe Laval
Combe Laval is often recognized as one of the most magnificent balcony roads in the French Alps. Carved into a vertical cliff face in the Vercors massif, this dramatic route offers breathtaking scenery with sheer drops to one side and towering limestone walls on the other. The narrow road clings to the cliff hundreds of meters above the valley floor, delivering an adrenaline-pumping ride through tunnels and along exposed sections. Surrounded by spectacular mountain vistas, Combe Laval is surely one of the bucket-list roads that every serious motorcyclist must experience.
Vosges Mountains
A biker’s paradise sometimes overlooked by international riders, the Vosges Mountains in eastern France are a mecca for local motorcyclists—and with good reason. This mid-altitude range delivers an incredible density of twisty roads through beautiful forested scenery with minimal traffic. The famous Route des Crêtes runs along mountain ridges offering endless hairpins and sweeping bends, while Grand Ballon at 1,424 meters provides stunning 360° views. Discover for yourself why French riders consider the Vosges one of their best-kept secrets, combining perfect tarmac, technical riding, and Alsatian charm.
Route Napoléon
Route Napoléon (N85) is undoubtedly among the best motorcycle roads in Europe. Following the historic path of Napoleon Bonaparte’s 1815 march from Elba to Grenoble, this legendary road features perfectly cambered corners and fantastic mountain scenery. Heading south toward the Côte d’Azur, the route crosses Col des Leques and Col Bayard with sweeping curves that flow beautifully. The smooth tarmac, Alpine backdrop, and historical significance make the Route Napoléon an iconic must-ride that delivers pure motorcycling pleasure from start to finish.
Col de l’Iseran
Linking the Tarentaise and Maurienne valleys in the Savoie, Col de l’Iseran at 2,764 meters is the highest paved mountain pass in the entire Alps. This legendary pass features 47 kilometers of spectacular alpine riding with countless hairpin bends revealing increasingly dramatic views of glaciers and jagged peaks. The summit, often surrounded by snow walls even in summer, offers a surreal high-altitude experience and well-deserved café stop. Surely another must-visit pass for any biker seeking the ultimate Alpine adventure!
Col de la Bonette
Climbing the beautiful sweeping roads of Col de la Bonette reveals a wonderful contrast between the alpine greenery at the base and the barren lunar landscape at the summit. Located in the Parc National du Mercantour, this pass at 2,715 meters is the 7th highest paved road in France and one of Europe’s most spectacular rides. The perfectly engineered curves allow you to carry speed while absorbing panoramic views across the Southern Alps. The famous loop road around Cime de la Bonette adds extra altitude for breathtaking 360° vistas—an unforgettable motorcycling experience.
Gorge du Verdon
Often called “Europe’s Grand Canyon,” the Gorge du Verdon is a spectacular limestone canyon with turquoise waters plunging up to 700 meters deep. Two incredible riding routes showcase this natural wonder: the northern Route des Crêtes with cliff-edge viewpoints, and the southern Corniche Sublime descending into the gorge itself. Both roads deliver tight hairpins, sweeping bends, and jaw-dropping scenery at every turn. The medieval village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie and crystal-clear Lake of Sainte-Croix add to the magic. The Gorge du Verdon represents French motorcycle touring at its absolute finest.
Combe Laval
Col de l’Iseran
Mercantour National Park
Col de la Bonette
