RoadTracks
(Formerly Motorbiketours)
Motorbike touring in Europe and beyond
France Tours 2025
There are 3 tours in this Section. Eastern France & Black Forest, East France and Germany and the Culinary Tour.
Eastern France and Black Forest. June 2025
First of the 3 tours planned for 2025.
2 of us set off from The Hague and headed down into North France crossing through Belgium.
Right is the overview of the total route. Details below. Weather was exceptional hitting 38 degrees heading back over the border into Eastern France from the B 500. Good food and wine as can be expected from France. All hotels were Logis top quality ´´Table Distinguee´´ where possible. Daily details also below.
Day 1. The Hague to Vienne le Chateau, France - 415km
Day 1 was more of an effort to get to France. Passing thruogh Belgium, bad roads and bad traffic...a bit common for Belgium and then after getting cheap fuel in South Belgium we headed across the border on the N40 into France. Along one of the nicest stretches of motorway in France in my opinion on the A 304. Heading off at Montigny sur Vence and heading to our overnight stop at Vienne le Chateau and the hotel Le Tulipier. A Logis blue category for food it was adequate at EURO 40 for a 4 course menu and the big advantage a nice indoor pool to cool off after the ride.
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Day 2. Vienne le Chateau to Hagenau - 292km.
A lovely start to the day with blue skies and sunshine and soon the temperature was already into the late 20´s. Heading due east towards the German border and Alsace area. Great roads through countryside and vineyards. We arrived at our lodgings in the small village of Niederschaeffholsheim just south of Hegenau. Great little hotel called the Au Bouef Rouge with smart and modern rooms and an amazing top level Logis ´´Table Distinguee´´. However the prices of the menu were very high at EURO 110 for a set menu. We opted for main course and cheese which although also pricey was superb and extremely well prepared. A real experience. The temperatures stayed hot way until after sun down but each room had very comfortable airco which was a real bonus.
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Day 3. Hagenau to Colmar - 284km.
Again spectacular weather greeted us the following morning and around 0930 we were off heading East towards the Rhine. A short detour as the ferry wasn't running and then further east into Germany and the famous B 500. An absolute marvel of a road but beware the speed restrictions and cameras. A lot has changed and to keep the bikes under control there is a strict speed limit at the top section of 50 km/h. It does loosen up as we headed south. The road south was amazing. Combination of the B 500 and other adjoining roads took us south and then west again towards Calmar and after a very hot (38 degrees) run through traffic we finally hit our overnight stay in the mountain village of Labaroche for the night. Our Hotel, again a top Logis classification for food was the small hotel called La Rochette. Great cozy rooms and because of the heat we sat outside in the restaurant . Really great menu for reasonable price.
Day 4. LaBaroche to Giffaumont Champaubert - 267km
A cooler start to the day and straight into some great twisty roads as we headed through the hills of the Vosges. Some interesting sights along the way especially related to the WW 1 front lines. We stopped briefly at the German War cemetery at Hohrod. Then down through the Vosges back onto more flatter countryside and long rolling roads. The end stop was in the small village of Giffaumont next to Europe's biggest man made reservoir. Rooms were fine although a bit small but this was compensated by the amazing menu again at one of the highest Logis food accreditations. An amazing dinner with full wine arrangement at EURO 100 for 5 courses was truly exceptional. The hotel and restaurant was Le Cheval Blanc. A definite note for future visits!
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Riding through France and then along the B500, Black Forest, Germany
Day 5. Giffaumont to Bermicourt 342km.
Slight damp start to the day but no rain. Thunderstorms forecast for the day but as we rode north west through the hills and rolling countryside on the long winding roads above Paris we seem just to have skirted them all the way to the battlefield countryside around Albert and Arras. Temperature rose gradually during the day to around 27 degrees by about 3 o´clock and full on sun upon arrival at my favourite location in northern France, La Cour de Remi. Always a pleasure to stay in this fabulous location. Dinner was fine with set menu at Euro 40. This was the longest day so we set off at 0830 but actually the riding was not that heavy going and we had plenty of time for stops and breaks. All in all a great trip.
Last day back to Netherlands was a bit less interesting and I have done it so many times I don't even need to use the navigation. Home by 1530, bike cleaned from all the fly debris and all ready for the next trip in July.
Watch this space!
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East France and Germany July 2025
Second of the 3 tours planned into France for 2025.
Left is the overview of the total route. Details again below.
Weather was a bit hit and miss this trip with the recent very high temperatures in France rain and thunderstorms were to be expected over the whole week so we were prepared and expected same. Luckily except day one heading south and one 15 minute downpour in France the weather was very kind and with the high temperatures in general it wasn't long before the roads dried out and we could press on.
My thanks to Jeremy who joined this trip. Very similar riding styles and interest always make it interesting and fun!
Unilt the next trip Jeremy!
Day 1. The Hague to Vienne le Chateau, France - 415km
Day 1 as usual was the effort to get through Belgium and onto the first destination again at Le Tulipier hotel just north west of Verdun.
I set off from The Hague around 1000. Weather was not looking too great and sure enough on the border with Belgium and France the heavens opened and it really came down. Luckily I was able to find shelter to wait it out but the roads were wet and the spray on my favourite motorway in France still made it unpleasant. Despite the heavy shower the last part of the route through some great countryside was great. I arrived at the Tulipier hotel around 1700. Had a swim in their indoor pool and then dinner. This hotel has a blue code for food but I have noticed over the past 2 years the quality has seriously diminished so whilst the menu is OK the quality price ratio is no longer what it was. Jeremy arrived from Dieppe around 2000.
Just off the A 304 in France but in the rain
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Brasserie La Taverne in Bar sur Seinne
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Day 2. Vienne le Chateau to Le Morvan - 305km.
A wet start to the morning so we waited until around 1000 before leaving Vienne le Chateau. The rain stopped as we left and it was no time before the roads were dry, sun came out and we were heading south into Champagne country.
Struggling a bit to find a place for lunch we diverted off in the small town of Bar sur Seinne into the back streets to find a real gem of a brasserie. Typical French with a set price menu 3 courses for EURO 16.50 and a main for just 11. A great welcome break before we headed further south into the beautiful area of Le Morvan. Our overnight was in the town of Chateau Chinon at the Aux Vieux Morvan. Lovely hotel, a bit tricky parking as the hotel is built on a slope, great pool and jacuzzi and the food was outstanding with the blue Logis category.
View from my hotel room looking north into Les Vosges
Day 3. Le Morvan to Le Val DÁjol, Vosges - 280km.
A grey start to the morning but at least dry both weather and roads. We headed eastwards through Le Morvan below Dijon and in many parts followed the River Saune. Lunch stop was in a small bistro by the road just outside the old medieval town of Pesmes. Great lunch and then onwards towards the foothills of Les Vosges. Temperatures were getting on towards 30 degrees again. Arrival was in the town of Val D´Ajol and the Hotel Residence. Great little hotel with an beautiful indoor pool and the restaurant was the top Logis level. Menu including wine was around Euro 80 but the cuisine was spectacular!
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Lunch stop in Pesmes
A pit stop along the river Saune. Jeremy still had his rain jacket on
Day 4. Les Vosges to Wittembourg - 292km
Another grey start but again no rain. We headed north up into Les Vosges proper. Great roads although some narrow and incredibly twisty in parts. A lot of holiday traffic on the roads making it a bit slow in parts. We managed to dodge the thunderstorms most of the way but around 1500 got caught in quite a strong downpour. Managed to stop under cover but eventually had to make our way onwards. Lunch again in a great small brasserie along aside the road in a tiny village just north of Les Vosges. Overnight stay was in the renovated and under new owners The Moulin de Walk. Great modern rooms and a good dinner. Staff not over friendly and the rooms were quite price at EURO 130 but beautiful old mill.
Hotel Moulin de Walk. View from my room
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Lunch stop in Les Vosges
Riding through Les Vosges and along the Mosel
Day 5. Wittembourg to Mettendorf 260 km.
Bright start to the final leg of the tour. Wittembourg is about 2 km from the German boarder and you can clearly see the hills of the Black Forest over in Germany. We headed north into Germany and found the traffic quite busy. The further north we got the less this was and we slowly headed into familiar territory of the Eifel and the Mosel area of Germany. We arrived in good time after some lengthy detours due to road works especially around Spangdahlem air base and when we arrived the temperatures were again in the late 20´s. Our hotel was the biker friendly Hotel Fronhof in Mettendorf somewhere we have used on may occasions. Some great food and a few beers and that was it.
Final day Jeremy and myself went our separate way. Jeremy back towards the ferry in France and myself north back home to The Hague. A great little tour of a new part of France form me! Until the next trip Jeremy!
HochEifel, heading north
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A familiar stop at the old West Wall tank defenses in north Eifel
Grand tour of Culinary restaurants. France September 2025
As the title suggests our last tour for 2025 took us back into France for a bit of a culinary tour. I chose all ´´Table Distinguee´´ level restaurants along the trip as I really wanted to try out some of these top rated Logis classified places. Average costs of a 3 course menu was around EURO 55 excluding wine and some were clearly better than others. Hope you enjoy reading and maybe even trying the places we did. Will add my comments on each as we progress through the trip
Verdun ossuary, France
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Day 1. The Hague to Vienne le Chateau - 472km
Day 1 was the usual ride down through Belgium into France but this time a couple of differences. Firstly the weather, for a late September we were blessed with a lingering high pressure field over Central Europe which basically meant the weather for the week was going to be good. In addition my riding companion had already arrived in France so the agreement was to ride down to Verdun, visit the Ossuary and then head west to Vienne the Chateau at our reliable albeit simple hotel of Le Tulipier. Arrived at Verdun at 1530 and after a visit to the Ossuary we arrived at the hotel around 1700. Time for a dip in their pool which was empty as of course we were off peak. Dinner was fine and again apart from 2 other couples we were the only visitors. Early night and ready for the our in earnest!
Verdun Ossuary and Cemetery, Verdun, France
Day 2. Vienne le Chateau to St Etienne L´Abbaye - 322km.
Again the weather was simply amazing when we started off at 0930. For the first hour we rode in beautiful fog as the sun tried to burn this off. For the first time I had used my Chigee as navigation unit with my iPhone. Great and easy to use although a bit of getting used to. Having easy phone options and music via Carplay is great although the battery on the phone takes a battering so also useful being able to plug this into my new Top box ad have it charging.
Anyway onto the route. We headed east again to the Ossuary for some photos then headed south towards Dijon. Some really great roads and the riding was fast due to the excellent conditions. On our way south we passed the memorial to Charles de Gaulle for a visit.
The latter part of the trip took us into the higher hills surrounding the valley of the river L´Igon and to our final destination at he Hotel Relais de la Source. A quirky but comfortable place built into an old farm building. The food was the highest Logis category (Table Distiguee) and the set menus did not disappoint. Overall rating fine although the total price for the room was a bit on the high side at EURO 145. A great dinner and then ready for day 3.
Memorial museum to Charles de Gaulle
Entrance to the Relais de la Source.
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Day 3. St St Etienne L´Abbaye to Furzac - 315 km.
Another spectacular day greeted us but again with thick fog. This took until lunch time to clear and the temperatures were little about 7 degrees. Warm clothing, heated grips and seat were required. We headed northwest and the tour took us in a big loop round to the top of the Morvan and down. In the small town of Chatillon sur Seinne we stopped for a coffee break and met up with another group of English bikers all riding GS/A´s. They had been in the south of France and were on their way back to Calais.
Chatillon sur Seine town square
In the afternoon the sun came out and the weather again was spectacular. Lovely open roads with no traffic and big open spaces. We arrived at our overnight stay in the village of Luzy in the South part of the Morvan. Great little hotel and restaurant. Hotel was the Hotel du Morvan and the adjoining restaurant - Table de Jerome. Rooms were modern and comfortable and the restaurant well worthy of its accreditation. Definite return visit planed in future!
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Hotel du Morvan, Luzy
Day 4. Luzy to Furzac - 320km
Another foggy start to the morning but this quickly cleared and we were out heading west through the bottom part of Le Morvan, along the Loire river and canals and then into the top of the Limosin forest region to our final destination of Furzac which is about 100km north of Perigord.
The weather and roads again truly amazing. Some of the big open spaces combined with the glorious weather made it superb. Coffee stop was along the Loire river and next to a barge canal that traversed the river at a small town called Le Guetin. Thereafter the roads really opened up into long sweeping bends. The miles faded behind us as we headed to our overnight stay at the Hotel Nougier. A bit tired looking hotel in general and a very curt m´aitre d´. Food was OK but overall quite inexpensive however in my mind not worthy of the top accreditation. An OK place for a stop over but not worth another visit. In addition parking was on street and although safe enough in the village, not ideal.
Coffee stop along the River Loire
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Great open spaces
Great roads and open spaces heading to Furzac
Day 5. Furzac to Mezangers - 348 km.
Bright start again but this time no fog. Quite a long trek at almost 350 km but the roads were open and clear. We headed north west from Furzac through some great countryside towards the town of Le Mans. Traffic in general was heavier and the latter part was less picturesque than what we had seen in the earlier part of the trip. As we headed north west the day became cloudy albeit dry. We arrived at our final destination in a small but beautiful hotel just outside the town of Mezangers beside a lake called the Relais du Gue de Selle. In an old converted farm building the food was OK but service great. Easy parking and relatively cheap for the overnight stay. Definitely worth another visit.
Hotel Relais du Gue de Selle
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Day 6. Mezangers to Montreuil sur mer - 360 km.
Final day of our culinary tour. We had been warned of the remnants of Storm Amy heading into France but we set off in dry conditions. However after about an hour the rains started and did not really let up until we arrived in Montreuil. Unfortunately the day was a bit of a wash out although the roads were very nice to ride and in places when the rain did stop the roads dried out quite quickly.
The latter 100 km was in continuous rain and we arrived at around 1430 at our final overnight stay at the Hotel Les Hautes de Montreuil. A really great hotel with garaged parking for both our bikes and of all the restaurants this was the best by far. Great ambience and great food.
Again an early night.
Jeremy was heading to the tunnel in the afternoon and I was daring to brave the storm along the dikes of South Holland. That in itself warrants a whole section and certainly was not a pleasurable experience! Arrived back in the Hague around 1500 and tour concluded.
All in all an absolutely spectacular trip with great weather bar 1 day. My thanks to Jeremy for joining again and looking forward to some more trips in 2026.
Les Hauts de Montreuil
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La Meuse, Verdun
Getting ready to weather the storm home!
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