Taking a trip to Europe? Why not bring your bike? Or at least rent a bike so that you can enjoy some of the vast biking terrain that exists. While France is commonly associated with its capital – Paris and landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, it is home to a multitude of mountainous regions that are perfect for riding motorcycles. There are nearly three dozen different routes that can be taken through rural, mountainous and valley regions of France. As you travel through the scenic byways and small towns you will enjoy stopping for a bite to eat or a cold drink at any of the local pubs.
The first route you can take will be alone D906. Traveling from Theirs to Le Puy en Vely will take you through eighty-eight miles of amazing terrain. Starting in Theirs you will find nearly a dozen local pubs such as Harry’Club and Bar de la Boule, serving French style sandwiches along with signature French wines and local micro-brewed beers. Nearby in the province of Chateldon there is that was dubbed the finest spring water by King Louis XIV, but more importantly there is a breathtaking view of the countryside as well as the remains of a 1930’s castle.
As you head out along D906 from Theirs to Ambert you will find high speed open corners as you travel the route that sweeps through this long valley. As you ride through Ambert you will hit the center of a medieval style town. Along the streets there are half-timbered homes and the gothic style Church of Saint Jean. The town was originally known for its paper-making shops and currently houses several museums that display its history. You can also visit the Musée de la Machine Agricole et à Vapeur to learn about the industrial and agricultural history of rural France. The area is welcoming to riders and offers their European hospitality as all the local pubs including Michel Dimitri and Le Volcan.
The last leg and nearly fifty miles of this ride brings you into Le Puy en Vely. The route itself is fast and open, although the scenery is not as great as the first section. As you are entering Le Puy en Vely you should stop to see the massive statue of Christ that towers over the city. It is an amazing site whether you are religious or not. Once you reach the mountainous region that surrounds the town you can stop and see the mult
itude of attractions in the area. In the center of the town atop what looks similar to a volcano is The Chapel Saint Michel d’ Aiguilhe which was built during the tenth century. You make hike up the mountain to the chapel and tour the treasures that still remain inside. Fossils and fine arts exist inside The Crozatier Museum and just outside of the city you can ride up to the Cascade de la Beaume.
France is well known for its dark beer and Belgian ale selections. During 1997 twenty different microbreweries developed and many still exist in the area today. There are also a multitude of wineries off the beaten path that can be visited throughout the southern part of France. The town of Le Puy en Vely attracts over 700,000 visitors each year. Motorcyclists that have enjoyed the route along D906 from Theirs to Le Puy en Vely claim that it is some of the best terrain in all of Europe. Certainly it is worth the ride if you are ever in France.
