OTHER ROUTES IN SOUTH EAST FRANCE
1 ROUTE NAPOLEON
Start: Grenoble Finish: Cannes Distance: 210 miles
Riding time: 6 hours One of France’s great routes – though our version substitutes more interesting roads for the dull stretch between Gap and Digne Les Bains.
Hotel tip: Nouvel Hotel du Commerce (www.hotel-du-commerceverdon.com)
2 ROUTE DES GRANDES ALPES
Start: Thonon les Bains Finish: Menton Distance: 430 miles Riding time: 2.5 days The original ‘If-you-only-rideone-mountain-route’ trip. We’d take a leisurely pace, breaking the journey up at Beaufort and Guillestre. Hotel tips: Hotel la Cascade (Tel: +33 4 79 38 70 00); Le Catinat Fleuri (www.catinat-fleuri.com)
3 AIN TO PLEASE
Start/finish: Nantua Distance: 175 miles Riding time: 5.5 hours Fantastic, relaxed riding in the Ain region in the foothills of the Rhône Alps. Hotel tip: Hotel l’embarcadère (www.hotelembarcadere.com)
4 CASSIS AND PAUL RICARD
Start/finish: Cassis Distance: 125 miles Riding time: 4.5 hours From Route des Cretes along the coast to the twisty inland roads around the Paul Ricard race track – an epic ride.
Hotel tip: Inter-hotel Cassitel (www.cassitel.com/)
5 ST TROPEZ LOOP
Start/finish: St Tropez Distance: 120 miles Riding time: 4 hours A relaxed run around the coast and through the beautiful hills of coastal Provençe.
6 ARAVIS AND ANNECY
Start/finish: Morzine Distance: 180 miles Riding time: 6 hours Spectacular riding in the Bauges Mountains, including a leg of the Route des Grandes Alpes. Hotel tip: Hotel Les Bruyeres (www.bruyeres-hotel-menuires. com/en/)
7 MONTELIMAR MILES
Start/finish: Montelimar Distance: 200 miles Riding time: 6 hours You’ll go nuts for these roads around the home of nougat. Hotel tips: Le Printemps (www. hotelprintemps.com)