6 days French Alps motorcycle tour – North to South

6-day motorcycle tour through the French Alps, riding from north to south and back again. A spectacular itinerary combining legendary alpine passes, Mediterranean landscapes and quiet mountain roads.

Day 1 – Lake Geneva, Chablais & Aravis

Motorcycle pick-up at Annemasse railway station. We ride towards Yvoire, a fortified medieval village on Lake Geneva. You can leave your helmet and jacket at the tourist office for a pleasant walk.

We continue through Thonon-les-Bains, Évian-les-Bains and climb the Gavot plateau before heading towards Châtel via the Abondance valley. Optional visit of the Abbey of Abondance.

Crossing into Switzerland via the Pas de Morgins, we ride towards Martigny and re-enter France over the Col de la Forclaz. We then pass through Saint-Gervais and Megève, cross the Col des Aravis and reach Thônes, capital of Reblochon cheese, for the night.

Day 2 – Beaufortain, Roselend & Iseran

From Thônes we head south towards Beaufort. We ride along the Roselend dam lake and cross the Cormet de Roselend (1967 m) in the heart of the Vanoise National Park.

Leaving Bourg-Saint-Maurice on our right, we climb towards Val d’Isère and cross the Col de l’Iseran (2764 m), the highest paved pass in the Alps.

We descend into the Maurienne valley, head towards Valloire and cross the Col du Galibier (2646 m). Night stop near Le Monêtier-les-Bains.

Day 3 – Queyras, Mercantour & Mediterranean Sea

We ride towards Briançon and climb the Col d’Izoard (2360 m), one of the most iconic alpine passes.

After Guillestre, we cross the Col de Vars (2109 m) and enter the Mercantour National Park. We climb the Col de la Bonette (2715 m), with its optional summit loop reaching 2802 m, the highest paved road in France.

Descending through Saint-Martin-Vésubie, we ride the famous Col de Turini, well known from the Monte Carlo Rally. We end the day in Menton, right on the Mediterranean Sea.

Day 4 – Route Napoléon & Verdon region

Leaving Menton, we follow the coastal hills past Monaco and Nice before riding the Promenade des Anglais.

We continue towards Grasse and join the legendary Route Napoléon, riding north through Castellane and Digne-les-Bains.

The day ends at Lake Serre-Ponçon, with a night stop overlooking the lake.

Day 5 – Vercors massif

From Savines-le-Lac we cross the Durance valley and ride towards Gap, then climb the Col de Cabre.

Entering the Vercors Regional Natural Park, we cross the Col de Rousset, ride through Combe Laval with its tunnels carved into the cliffs, and follow the spectacular Bourne gorges.

We reach the Chartreuse area and stop for the night in Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse.

Day 6 – Chartreuse, Bauges & return to Geneva

We ride through the Guiers Mort gorges towards Les Échelles and Lake Aiguebelette.

After skirting Lake Bourget, we cross the Bauges massif and reach Lake Annecy via the Col de Leschaux. Optional stop in Annecy old town.

Final ride north via Cruseilles and the Salève, offering beautiful views over Geneva and Mont Blanc, before returning to Annemasse.

Updated: 27/07/2011

Copyright Moto-Plaisir.fr AMG SARL. All rights reserved.
Road books are provided for information only. Riders are responsible for checking weather conditions, road status and their own riding abilities. Traffic laws and safety rules must be respected. Moto-Plaisir.fr cannot be held liable for any damages resulting from the use of these road books.