OFF THE BIKE
THE GRAND CANYON
If the views of the Gorges du Verdon from the bike aren’t enough to get your pulse racing, why not take a white-water raft and admire it from the base? There are several companies offering tours.
LA BONNETTE
Doesn’t matter if you approach it as a tick-in-the-box ride, the obligatory selfie beside the monument at the top of Cime de la Bonnette is worth it for the great ride to get there.
LAC DE SERRE-PONCON
Lac de Serre-ponçon is a huge reservoir with stunning views ten miles from Gap in the Hautes Alpes. At Savines-le-lac on the southern side, there is a watersports centre where you can take boat tours. (www.serreponcon-tourisme. com/ete)
QUAD-BIKING
Just 15 miles from Barcelonette, at the pretty village of Seyneles-alpes, you can trade two wheels for four and go off-road on a one or two-hour quad ride in the mountains. (www.quad04.fr/crbst_3.html)
CLIMB A MOUNTAIN
Via ferratas are in-vogue at the moment – find out why as you scramble up a steep mountain and wobble your way across a rope bridge over a sheer drop. One for adventure lovers. (www.viaferrata-alpes.com)
TAKE THE WATERS
Relax like a Roman in the natural thermal springs, now handily channelled into a swimming pool. Specialist treatments are also available, along with gym facilities for the energetic. (www. thermesdignelesbains.com)
MINI MEXICO
As unlikely as it sounds, Barcelonette has 19th-century Mexican villa architecture, a Mexican tourist office, similarly-
themed shops and roving Mariachi bands. (www.barcelonnette.net)
ST PAUL DE VENCE
Could this be the nicest small town in Provence? Perched on a hilltop overlooking the bigger, bustling, modern Vence is the perfectly-preserved, pedestrianised St Paul de Vence – crammed with great cafes, as well as a museum and art gallery. Great place. (www.saintpauldevence.com)
WHISKY
In the small town of Mens, you can wash down a bouffette – two biscuits sandwiched together with a sweet creamy filling – with a locally-produced single malt at the Domaine des Hautes Glaces. Tastings are excellent value at €8. (hautesglaces.com)
BETTER PACK THE DJ
Fancy your chances as the next high-roller? Roll yourself out of the mountains and onto the Riviera and the casinos waiting to welcome the well-heeled rider. And if Menton doesn’t take your fancy, why not head to the nearby principality of Monaco?
PARAGLIDING
Swing high above Gap strapped together with an instructor for a familiarisation flight before relaxing with a drink in the Place Jeanmarcellin. (www.ressourcesparapente.com)
SILVER MINES
At l’argentière-la-bessee on the edge of the Ecrins National Park, you can descend 80m under the mountain into a disused silver mine that was active for 2000 years and visit the associated museum. Tours must be pre-booked though. (ville-argentiere.fr)
LAC DE SAINTE-CROIX
At the Western end of the Gorge du Verdon, stop off on the south side of the Lac De Sainte-croix at Le Petit Port where you can rent an electric-powered boat for 30 minutes to an hour for a relaxed tour of the lake. (www.lepetitport04.com)
THE GREAT LAKE
If you’re going to stop at a lake, it might as well be Allos, Europe’s largest natural high altitude mountain lake. The pristine sight is set in a lush natural valley and nearby activity options include an enormous steel-framed luge course and water park. (en.valdallos.com)
ENTREVAUX
A picturesque medieval village near Annot with a Vaubanfortified citadelle that comes with the added bonus of a privately-owned motorcycle museum on two floors that operates on a donation-basis. (www.motocollection.com/ musees/entrevaux)