BMW The Ultimate Riding Machine

BMW Tour De France

Date:18 - 28 June 2010
Type of Tour: Easy Riding, Mountains & Lakes

How do I book?

Telephone: 08446 623913 or +44 208 607 3917 if outside the UK.
Click here to enquire online
Fax: 0208 607 3901
E-mail: bmw@worldofbmw.com

Regularly voted a favourite, this 11-day tour offers spectacular scenery, first class accommodation and incredible riding all the way. The tour has little to do with the cycle race, and everything to do with the best France has to offer as a motorcycling destination. For 2010, we will be repeating it with a few new locations.

It will take in the endless, sweeping, quiet D roads as well as the wild, awe-inspiring alpine passes, glitzy resorts and sun-drenched beaches of the Riviera. The mileages are of average length though riders should be ready for the challenge of the high and narrow alpine passes of the Route des Grandes Alpes between Menton and Evian.

Day 1 (18 June) - Dover to Reims

The tour begins with an early morning crossing from Dover to Calais. There will be time for refreshments and a briefing on board before arrival in France. Once ashore we will ride across rural France towards the Champagne region, seeking out some great back roads. Coffee and lunch stops will be down to individual preferences. Our first overnight hotel is on the outskirts of Reims, with an outdoor pool to enjoy before dinner, which will be a group affair in a private dining room. (Mileage; 190)

Day 2 (19 June) - Reims to Nevers

After a buffet breakfast we will leave the Champagne region and head south, along sweeping D roads, through deepest rural France. The route takes us past Troyes and Auxerre on our way south towards the city of Nevers, close to the home of the French Grand Prix at Magny Cours. All the rooms are en-suite and tonight you are free to make your own dining selection. (Mileage; 205)

Day 3 (20 June) - Nevers to Vals les Bains

The route continues further south today, past Montlucon and Clermont Ferrand. Here, the scenery changes as the roads start to wind and we continue on towards the spectacular region of the Ardeche, with its wild mountains, plateaux and valleys. Our hotel for the night will be in the picturesque spa town of Vals les Bains - a World of BMW favourite. There is parking, a wonderful restaurant and a roof top pool. For dinner tonight you will have the choice of going into town, or eating in the excellent hotel restaurant. (Mileage; 245)

Day 4 (21 June) - Vals les Bains to Menton

Leaving Vals les Bains, the scenery gets wilder as we ride across the Ardeche region and into the Alpes Maritimes. Here, the limestone alpine cliffs meet the sparkling Mediterranean. Our base for the next three nights is the fashionable and trendy town of Menton, close to Monaco. Accommodation has been reserved at an elegant hotel overlooking the Riviera. This smart air-conditioned hotel is a real "find" and another World of BMW favourite. All rooms are en-suite, air conditioned with broadband internet and BBC television! You can even dine in the hotel's beach restaurant, with the Med almost lapping at your feet whilst watching the sun set over the old town. (Mileage; 250)

Day 5 and 6 (22 & 23 June) - Free days

The next two days are free for you to relax and enjoy the surroundings. You can sit by the pool, visit Monaco, Nice and the rest of the Riviera, or even ride out to Italy, which is only a few miles away. If you're feeling particularly active, take a ride into the mountains - some of the great Monte Carlo rally routes are within easy reach.

Day 7 (24 June) - Menton to Valloire

After this relaxing break, it is down to some serious biking as we tackle the Route des Grandes Alpes itself - 300 miles due North, over some of the most spectacular Alpine passes. If you think Austria and Switzerland have all the best rides, then; think again. These passes may not be as manicured as some - they pass through some of the most remote wilderness in Western Europe - but they are as spectacular as any. At over 2,800 metres they are also the highest! Mid-way we will stop overnight at a superb ski hotel with pool, sauna and fitness room. (Mileage; 290)

Day 8 (25 June) - Valloire to Evian

After breakfast we continue along the Route des Grandes Alpes, which brings us to the wheel tracks of the heroes of the real Tour de France. Many of the passes have been high points - in every sense - of races over the years. Col de la Bonnette, Col d'Izoard, Col de Galibier, Col de l'Iseran - the list goes on. We ride some 18 passes in all. Having completed the "Route" we will stay at Evian, on the shores of Lake Geneva for the night. Accommodation has been reserved in a hotel overlooking the lake. Dinner tonight is included. (Mileage; 240)

Day 9 (26 June) - Evian to Gerardmer

Today we head north through the wooded valleys and hillsides of the Jura mountains, towards the Vosges, where we'll stop at another picturesque lake resort - the town of Gerardmer. Accommodation has been reserved at another regular World of BMW haunt; an elegant hotel in the center of the town, where we'll stay for the next one night. There is parking by the large garden and dinner will be at the hotel. (Mileage; 220)

Day 10 (27 June) - Gerardmer to Sedan

Today's ride takes us through the northern part of the Vosges and along the valley of the Meuse. On the way we pass Nancy & Metz before closing in on the Ardennes region for our final overnight stop in the town of Sedan. Here our location is somewhat unique, built into the walls of a huge ancient fortress. Our final dinner of the tour awaits. (Mileage; 190)

Day 11 (28 June) - Sedan to Dover

After breakfast in the castle it is only a short ride along the southern Ardennes and back to Calais to catch the afternoon ferry to Dover in time for the ride home. (Mileage; 185)

Rider Price: £1,375
Couple Price: £1,995

Tour includes: return ferry fare; halfboard in Reims, Gerardmer, Evian and Sedan, B&B in Menton, Vals les Bains, Valloire and Nevers; the programme as outlined; all the necessary maps and route details; travel pack; local overnight parking charges; a World of BMW Tour Leader to accompany the group; and VAT.

Not included are: fuel; meals other than those specified; wine & drinks; local entertainments not included in the programme; any admissions, tolls or travel insurance.