Join us on a 10-day motorcycle tour through France, riding iconic roads like Route Napoleon, the scenic Comb Laval balcony roads, and the breathtaking Gorge du Verdon in Provence. Perfect for riders of all levels, this adventure combines twisty mountain routes, stunning landscapes, and unforgettable experiences.
Join us on a 10-day motorcycle tour through France, riding iconic roads like Route Napoleon, the scenic Comb Laval balcony roads, and the breathtaking Gorge du Verdon in Provence. Perfect for riders of all levels, this adventure combines twisty mountain routes, stunning landscapes, and unforgettable experiences.
French Alps Motorcycle Tour: 10 Days on the Route Napoléon, the Vercors & the Gorges du Verdon
Tour at a Glance
📍 Duration: 10 days / 9 nights, with 2 optional rest days
🏍️ Total Distance: Approx. 2,000 miles (3,200 km) including optional ride-outs
🗺️ Countries: France, Italy
🏔️ Highlights: Napoléon’s historic 1815 return route, France’s highest paved Alpine passes, the dramatic Combe Laval balcony road, the limestone Gorges du Verdon, and a night in Italy before heading north back into France over Col de l’Iseran
🛣️ Iconic Roads & Passes: N85 Route Napoléon, Combe Laval balcony road, Col de la Bonette (2,715m), Col de l’Iseran (2,764m), Col de Vars, Col d’Izoard, Cormet de Roselend, Col du Mont Cenis
Our French Alps motorcycle tour combines France’s most legendary riding experiences in one unforgettable 10-day adventure. Featuring the historic Route Napoléon (N85) with its perfectly cambered corners, the breathtaking Combe Laval balcony road carved into vertical cliffs, and the stunning Gorges du Verdon, one of Europe’s deepest canyons, this tour also takes in Col de l’Iseran at 2,764 metres (the highest paved pass in the entire Alps!) and Col de la Bonette at 2,715 metres. You’ll cover 2,000 miles of pure riding bliss through Provence, the Vercors, and the French Alps, combining history, natural wonders, and world-class motorcycling roads.
Perfect for riders of all skill levels, this tour combines scenic Provençal landscapes, dramatic Alpine passes, iconic French roads, and unforgettable experiences. Whether you’re chasing adrenaline on twisty mountain roads or soaking in stunning vistas from Europe’s highest passes, this France motorcycle tour has something for everyone.
Our journey begins with a short hop on the Eurotunnel to Calais. Once in France we head south-east across the Champagne-Ardenne region to our first overnight stop in Verdun, the historic town at the heart of one of the most famous battles of the First World War.
Our adventure continues south the next day through the sweeping roads of the Vosges Mountains and over the Ballon d’Alsace, with stunning views across the Vosges. We finish the day’s ride in the Haut-Jura Mountains, close to the border with Switzerland.
More sweeping curves on day 3 as we head further south, crossing the Parc Naturel Régional du Massif des Bauges, with stunning views at our lunch stop, and then the Parc Naturel Régional de la Chartreuse. We finish the day with a well-earned rest at our hotel in the Vercors, our base for the next two nights.
Day 4 is either a rest day or a ride-out taking in the famous Col de la Machine and the Combe Laval in the Vercors Massif, one of the best-known balcony roads in France. Surrounded by sheer cliffs several hundred metres high, breathtaking scenery is the order of the day. The Col du Rousset is also on the menu, offering switchback after switchback before we loop back to our hotel for a second night in the Vercors.
On day 5 we hit the Route Napoléon, which follows the route taken by Napoléon Bonaparte in 1815 on his march from Elba to Grenoble, with the intention of overthrowing Louis XVIII. The road opened in its current form in 1932 and is a fantastic design, with cambered corners and wonderful scenery. We pick up the N85 heading south towards the Côte d’Azur, over the Col Bayard and the Col des Lèques, with plenty of options for a coffee stop to admire the views, before reaching our two-night stop in the lovely little town of Castellane on the banks of the Verdon River. This Provençal town is a maze of picturesque narrow lanes, great for an evening stroll, and our hotel is just off the beautiful Place Marcel Sauvaire, a perfect place to enjoy your evening.
Day 6 is a day off the bike if that’s your preference, with plenty to do in the area, from hiring an e-bike or hiking to renting a boat on the Lac de Sainte-Croix. For those who want more riding, a ride-out takes you around both rims of the Gorges du Verdon, with coffee and lunch stops along the way.
On day 7 our adventure continues north through the Mercantour National Park, past the high peaks of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Alpes-Maritimes, with a mixture of sweeping bends and switchbacks. Passing the abandoned Camp des Fourches, we climb the Col de la Bonette, one of the highest roads in the Alps at 2,715m. Then on to the Col de Vars, followed by the Col d’Izoard for yet more sublime views and corners. From here we head into Italy for the evening, staying in a fabulous hotel in the centre of a ski resort in the Susa Valley.
Yet more mountain passes on day 8 as we leave Italy over the Col du Mont Cenis (Colle del Moncenisio), which separates the Cottian Alps from the Graian Alps and is thought to be one of the routes Hannibal may have taken across the Alps. The current road was built under the direction of Napoléon Bonaparte, so it’s yet another great road to thank him for. Back in France, we ride through the Parc National de la Vanoise to the highest paved pass in the Alps, the Col de l’Iseran at 2,764m, followed by the Cormet de Roselend and the Col du Méraillet, our final farewell to the Alps on this tour. We then head past Lake Annecy to our hotel for the evening in Bourg-en-Bresse.
Our penultimate day takes us north around Dijon and through the huge expanse of French farmland, avoiding motorways as we go ending the day in the lovely town of Châlons-en-Champagne with its central square. This is a perfect spot to reflect on the highlights of the tour and the miles of fantastic roads we have travelled along.
Our final day takes us from Châlons-en-Champagne back to our Eurotunnel crossing, through more expansive French countryside and on to our final lunch stop before the last leg of our journey back to the UK.
Tour Highlights Summary
Two Countries: France, Italy Iconic Roads: Route Napoléon N85 (Napoléon’s 1815 march route), Combe Laval balcony road, Gorges du Verdon rim roads, Ballon d’Alsace, Col de la Machine Highest Passes: Col de l’Iseran (2,764m — highest paved pass in the Alps), Col de la Bonette (2,715m), Col d’Izoard, Col du Mont Cenis (built by Napoléon), Cormet de Roselend, Col de Vars Natural Wonder: Gorges du Verdon – one of Europe’s deepest canyons, with towering limestone cliffs and a turquoise river Historic Sites: Verdun, Route Napoléon (Napoléon’s 1815 march), Col du Mont Cenis (built by Napoléon) National & Regional Parks: Mercantour, Vercors, Chartreuse, Bauges, Vanoise Two-Night Stops: Vercors, Castellane Perfect Mix: Legendary French roads + Provençal culture + Europe’s highest Alpine passes + history at every turn
Guided or Self-Guided?
Would you rather choose your own dates and ride independently? This route is also available as a self-guided French Alps motorcycle tour, with hotels, Eurotunnel, GPS routes and a printed daily guide all arranged for you.
Join us for this unforgettable 10-day French Alps motorcycle adventure – riding the Route Napoléon, the Gorges du Verdon and more!
Col de la Bonette
Col de l’Iseran
Cormet de Roselend
“Having organised trips to Europe in the past I wanted to try a guided tour. I did the Route Napoleon in September and found it exceeded my expectations. The hotels we stayed in were better than I expected and routes and roads we rode were brilliant. The tour was very well led by Paul with good stops for food and photos. Paul was very calm and patient with any problems anyone had, sorting our satnav problems and rerouting when we came across the occasional road closure. Brilliant tour with great company. Will definitely be touring with Columbus again. Thanks Paul. Top man.”
—Rob
“A brilliant trip. Fantastic roads, great accommodation, out of this world scenery and a great bunch of blokes. Probably just the right mileage too.
Hopefully going to do another trip with them next year.
Discover France’s most spectacular riding roads on this 10-day guided motorcycle tour. From the historic Route Napoléon to the breathtaking Gorges du Verdon, and over the highest mountain passes in the Alps, this journey covers approximately 2,000 miles of pure motorcycling bliss through Provence, the Vercors and the French Alps, with two-night stops in the Vercors and in Castellane.
Day 1: UK to Verdun via Eurotunnel & Champagne-Ardenne
Roll off the Eurotunnel at Calais and ride south-east across the Champagne-Ardenne region to your first night in Verdun, the historic town at the heart of one of the most famous battles of the First World War.
Day 2: The Vosges & Ballon d’Alsace to the Haut-Jura
Head south through the Vosges Mountains and over the Ballon d’Alsace, then on into the Jura to your overnight stop in the Haut-Jura, close to the Swiss border.
Day 3: The Jura to the Vercors via the Bauges & Chartreuse
Continue south across the Jura and through the Bauges and Chartreuse regional parks to your hotel in the Vercors, a dramatic limestone plateau of cliffs, gorges and forests, for two nights.
Distance: 215 miles (345 km)
Highlights: Bauges Regional Park, Chartreuse Regional Park, Vercors, two-night stop
Day 4: Rest Day or Ride-Out – Vercors & Combe Laval
Join the optional ride-out into the Vercors over the Col de la Machine and along the Combe Laval, a balcony road carved into the side of a sheer cliff with breathtaking drops and views, then loop back to your hotel via the Col du Rousset. Or simply take the day off the bike.
Distance: 0 miles (rest day) or up to 150 miles (240 km) ride-out
Highlights: Combe Laval balcony road, Col de la Machine, Col du Rousset, Vercors
Day 5: The Route Napoléon to Castellane
Today you ride the legendary Route Napoléon (N85), following the route Napoléon took in 1815 on his return from exile on Elba. Its fast, flowing bends take you over the Col Bayard and the Col des Lèques to Castellane, on the banks of the Verdon River, for two nights.
Distance: 185 miles (300 km)
Highlights: Route Napoléon N85, Col Bayard, Col des Lèques, Castellane, two-night stop
Join the optional ride-out around both rims of the Gorges du Verdon, one of the deepest canyons in Europe, with jaw-dropping viewpoints over the turquoise river far below. Or leave the bike in Castellane and spend the day hiking, e-biking or boating on the Lac de Sainte-Croix.
Distance: 0 miles (rest day) or up to 120 miles (195 km) ride-out
Highlights: Gorges du Verdon, canyon rim roads, Lac de Sainte-Croix
Day 7: Col de la Bonette, Vars & Izoard to Italy
Head north through the Mercantour National Park and over some of the highest roads in the Alps: the Col de la Bonette at 2,715m, the Col de Vars and the lunar landscape of the Col d’Izoard. Then cross into Italy for a night in the ski resort of Sauze d’Oulx in the Susa Valley.
Distance: 190 miles (305 km)
Highlights: Mercantour National Park, Col de la Bonette, Col de Vars, Col d’Izoard, Italy
Day 8: Mont Cenis, Iseran & Roselend to Bourg-en-Bresse
Return to France over the Col du Mont Cenis and ride through the Vanoise National Park to the Col de l’Iseran, at 2,764m the highest paved pass in the Alps. Then take on the Cormet de Roselend and the Col du Méraillet, with views towards Mont Blanc, and ride past Lake Annecy to your overnight stop in Bourg-en-Bresse.
Distance: 225 miles (360 km)
Highlights: Col du Mont Cenis, Vanoise National Park, Col de l’Iseran, Cormet de Roselend, Lake Annecy
Ride north on quiet roads around Dijon, through the Parc National de Forêts and the Forêt d’Orient Regional Park and across rolling French farmland, avoiding the motorways, to our final night in Châlons-en-Champagne, the perfect spot to reflect on the highlights of the tour.
Distance: 250 miles (400 km)
Highlights: Dijon, Parc National de Forêts, Forêt d’Orient Regional Park, Châlons-en-Champagne
Day 10: Châlons-en-Champagne to the UK via Eurotunnel
Your final day takes you north from Châlons-en-Champagne across the open French countryside to Calais for your afternoon Eurotunnel crossing home.
Distance: 220 miles (355 km)
Highlights: French countryside, Eurotunnel crossing
Total Tour Statistics
Total Distance: Approx. 2,000 miles (3,200 km) including optional ride-outs
Countries Visited: France, Italy
Riding Days: Up to 10, with 2 optional rest days
Iconic Roads: Route Napoléon N85, Combe Laval balcony road, Gorges du Verdon rim roads
High Alpine Passes: Col de l’Iseran (2,764m), Col de la Bonette (2,715m), Col d’Izoard, Col de Vars, Col du Mont Cenis, Cormet de Roselend
National & Regional Parks: Vercors, Mercantour, Vanoise, Chartreuse, Bauges
Two-Night Stops: Vercors, Castellane
Next Tour: 6–15 September 2027, guided by Simon Whelan
What's included?
French Alps Motorcycle Tour Prices 2027
Rider and Pillion Package: £2,495per person (2 people sharing motorcycle and room)
Solo Rider – Twin Room: £3,095per person (1 motorcycle, shared twin room accommodation)
Solo Rider – Single Room: £3,695per person (1 motorcycle, private single room accommodation)
Two Riders – Separate Bikes: £3,095per person (2 motorcycles, shared twin/double room)
Return Eurotunnel Crossing: Return trip Folkestone-Calais on Eurotunnel (if the train and/or Folkestone isn’t convenient for you, please get in touch as we can arrange other crossings).
9 Nights Accommodation: Premium motorcycle-friendly hotels throughout the Tour
Daily Breakfast: Full breakfast each morning at all hotels to fuel your riding day
Evening Meals: 3 evening meals are included on this tour
Hotel Leisure Facilities: Full access to swimming pools, spas, and fitness facilities at all hotels
Detailed Route Maps: Comprehensive route plans covering all Alpine passes and scenic roads
Motorcycle Parking: All hotel parking fees covered
GPS Navigation Files: Pre-loaded GPS routes compatible with Garmin, TomTom, and smartphone apps
Daily Itinerary Guide: Detailed daily plans with sightseeing highlights, coffee stops, and lunch recommendations
Expert Tour Guide Support: Guided by experienced motorcycle tour leader throughout your Motorcycle adventure
What’s Not Included in Your Motorcycle Tour
Motorcycle Fuel Costs:
Road Tolls & Pass Charges:
Attraction Entry Fees:
Meals & Drinks not specified as included:
Travel Insurance & Breakdown Cover: Comprehensive motorcycle travel insurance including breakdown recovery and UK repatriation is mandatory but not included. We strongly recommend European breakdown cover from providers like RAC, AA, or specialist motorcycle insurers.
French Alps Motorcycle Tour – Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Route Napoléon and why is it famous with motorcyclists?
The Route Napoléon (N85) follows the route taken by Napoléon Bonaparte in March 1815 on his march from exile on Elba to reclaim power in Paris. After landing at Golfe-Juan, he marched north through the Alps with around 1,000 men, gathering support along the way. The road, opened in its current form in 1932, commemorates this journey of around 325km to Grenoble. For motorcyclists it’s riding heaven: well-cambered corners, sweeping bends with good visibility, smooth tarmac and stunning Alpine and Provençal scenery. Day 5 of the tour is dedicated to this bucket-list road.
What makes the Gorges du Verdon so spectacular, and is it difficult to ride?
The Gorges du Verdon is one of Europe’s deepest canyons and one of France’s most stunning natural wonders, with limestone cliffs dropping up to 700m to the turquoise Verdon River below. The gorge is around 25km long, with roads along both the north and south rims offering completely different views. The roads cling to the cliff edges, with occasional tight hairpins and tunnels through the rock, so ride at your own pace and stop at the viewpoints to take it all in. Your two nights in Castellane put you right on the doorstep, with Day 6 offering an optional circuit of both rims.
How high are the Col de la Bonette and the Col de l’Iseran, and are they difficult to ride?
The Col de l’Iseran, at 2,764m, is the highest paved pass in the Alps, and the Col de la Bonette reaches 2,715m. Expect spectacular scenery, snow on the surrounding peaks and cooler temperatures at the top, even in summer. Both have good tarmac, manageable gradients and switchbacks, and are popular with motorcyclists, so you’re never alone. The riding is challenging but manageable for riders with average experience – take your time, enjoy the views and stop for photos. You’ll ride them on Days 7 and 8, along with the Col d’Izoard, the Col de Vars and more.
What’s included in the 10-day French Alps tour?
The tour includes the return Eurotunnel crossing (Folkestone–Calais), 9 nights’ accommodation in carefully selected motorcycle-friendly hotels in France and Italy, daily breakfast, 3 evening meals, hotel parking, route maps and GPS files, a daily itinerary guide with recommended photo, coffee and lunch stops, and expert tour guide support throughout. You provide your own motorcycle, riding gear, fuel, lunches and other meals, travel insurance including breakdown cover, and personal expenses.
What is the Combe Laval and why is it called a balcony road?
The Combe Laval is one of France’s most dramatic balcony roads, carved into a vertical limestone cliff face in the Vercors Massif, with sheer drops of several hundred metres. Completed in the late 1890s, it clings to the rock with overhanging cliffs above, protective barriers along the edge and breathtaking views across the valley below. It’s called a balcony road because it feels like riding along a narrow balcony projecting from the cliff. You’ll ride it on the Day 4 ride-out, together with the Col de la Machine.
Why is early September a good time for this tour?
Our 2027 tour runs from 6 to 15 September, which is a lovely time to ride in France. Provence is usually warm and sunny, the high passes are open, and the summer crowds have thinned out while everything is still open. Expect around 22–28°C in Provence and the valleys, and cooler temperatures on the high passes. Passes like the Iseran and the Bonette usually close in the autumn, so September makes the most of the season. Mountain weather can still change quickly, so pack layers and waterproofs.
Why does the tour cross into Italy?
Crossing into Italy lets us link some of the best high passes on the route. After the Col de la Bonette and the Col d’Izoard on Day 7, we spend the night in a ski resort in Italy’s Susa Valley. On Day 8 we return to France over the Col du Mont Cenis (Colle del Moncenisio), possibly one of the routes Hannibal took across the Alps and later rebuilt under Napoléon, before climbing the Col de l’Iseran and the Cormet de Roselend. The Italian night also adds a taste of Italian cuisine to the tour.
What is there to do during the two nights in Castellane?
Castellane is a charming Provençal town at the gateway to the Gorges du Verdon, with narrow medieval lanes, local shops and the lively Place Marcel Sauvaire, lined with cafés and restaurants, just by our hotel. On Day 6 you can join the optional Gorges du Verdon ride-out around both rims, hire an e-bike, go hiking, rent a boat on the Lac de Sainte-Croix, or simply relax and enjoy the Provençal food, wine and atmosphere. Many riders appreciate this mid-tour break after the Route Napoléon and before the high Alpine passes.
How demanding is the tour?
Moderately demanding, but manageable for riders with average fitness and experience. Riding days are between 185 and 250 miles, with regular stops for fuel, coffee, photos and lunch, and Days 4 and 6 are optional rest days. The high passes need concentration, but the roads are good, with excellent visibility. Days 7 and 8 are the most challenging, with several high passes, but they’re also the most rewarding.
Can I join the tour as a solo rider?
Absolutely. Solo riders are very welcome and typically make up 50–60% of our tour groups, sometimes more, alongside couples and the occasional group of friends. You can choose to share a twin room with another solo rider or book a private single room. The 10-day format is popular with solo riders – long enough for a real adventure, without the time commitment of a two- or three-week tour – and your guide makes sure everyone feels part of the group while letting you ride at your own pace.
How big are the groups?
We keep our groups small, typically 8–12 riders, with a maximum of 12 riders plus the guide on every tour. That keeps the atmosphere friendly and relaxed, makes stops and hotel arrivals easy, and means everyone gets to know each other.
Is there a self-guided version of this tour?
Yes. If you’d rather choose your own dates and ride independently, the same route is available as a self-guided French Alps motorcycle tour, with hotels, Eurotunnel, GPS routes and a printed daily guide all arranged for you.
More Questions About French Alps Motorcycle Touring
Do I need special insurance? Yes. Comprehensive European motorcycle insurance including breakdown recovery is mandatory, covering France and Italy. You don’t need a Green Card for either country.
What currency do I need? Euros in both France and Italy. Cards are widely accepted, but carry some cash for coffee and lunch stops.
What about road tolls? Minimal – a short motorway section at the start and end of the tour and a small section on Day 8. Budget around €30 in total for autoroute tolls.
Can pillions join? Absolutely. Pillions will love the Provençal and Alpine scenery, the Gorges du Verdon, the two optional rest days and the comfortable hotels.
Are French mountain passes difficult? Not if you take your time. The roads are well maintained, with good tarmac and visibility, and you ride at your own pace with guide support.
How twisty is the Route Napoléon? Perfectly twisty – constant sweeping bends and curves. It’s a bucket-list road for good reason.
Will there be traffic? Moderate on the Route Napoléon, which is a popular road, and light on most of the mountain passes.
Is the Gorges du Verdon scary to ride? It’s dramatic, with cliff-edge roads, but not scary if you’re comfortable with mountain riding. There are barriers along the edge and you ride at your own pace.
Can I extend the tour? The guided tour runs on fixed dates, but you can add extra nights before or after it. Contact us to discuss options.
