I should point out, neillfergie, that there are lots of very helpful people here just a private message away. Use the pm system to your advantage to ask specific or general questions, allay fears, etc, I'm sure anyone here would be happy to help. Biking is by far the best way to see Europe, and it doesn't really matter where you go, pretty much anywhere is worth visiting and the entire continent is bike-friendly.
As pointed out, 7 days is not really enough to be heading south. Me and err indoors had three weeks in Normandy last summer and that was not enough to see all we wanted to visit. I would decide on an area and tick it off. Its a lot bigger than blighty. You can do the south with much more ease using the overnight ferry to santander another time. We stopped on Omaha beach, flippin fantastic. All the WW2 history and the beach is spot on too. Not crammed like our beaches, plenty of room to let the dog run!
I did a U-shaped tour of France in 7 days without touching motorways, 2700 miles I think, but it was pretty heavy-going and we weren't hanging around. Not something to undertake as a first tour with a pillion...
Also, you are legally obliged to carry two breathalyser kits now in France. You can get disposable packs of two for around £5. Halfords sell them. You can get them at the ferry terminal but they may be more expensive there.
I wouldn't bother. The French are very bolshy - would love to know how many French bikers actually carry them: I'd reckon on about 4%. And I'd reckon the gendarmes know this and wouldn't even waste their time trying to stop people to find out. It's a stupid law and they've got other things to do. I have no intention whatsoever of trying to find somewhere on the 999 to keep them (and failing), and I'm over in France frequently during the "season". If stopped, just jabber in English and point to your licence plate and feign total incomprehension and ignorance. They don't need the paperwork.
Driving in France, new laws | AA January 2013 - the French government announced that the implementation of the sanction for drivers not carrying a breathalyser – a fine of €11 – has been postponed indefinitely. So theoretically you are still required to carry a self-test breathalyser when driving in France but there is no current legislation demanding a fine for non-compliance.
Plus it sounds as if the fine is probably cheaper than 2 breathalysers if they did actually enforce it.
I've been keeping a very close eye on the weather recently. It seems it may be the deciding factor in what direction we end up heading. Either way I'm inclined to agree with most posters about heading south, its just too far and although I can handle 600+ miles in a day I know she wont appreciate it. Looks like some sort of loop in the north west for a few days followed by a stop in Paris for a day before jumping on the chunnel back to Blighty (if its stopped snowing)... but this may have to change if the weather doesn't play ball. Appreciate all the comments and suggestions everyone
There is a good ride from Cherbourg to Le Mans which is always worth a visit and you can then work your way north east through the champagne region and the Verdun, then the historic town of Reims where the early French kings were crowned and has some of the best champagne houses ever and then back north of Paris to the Eurotunnel which will be plenty of miles for 7 days. French petrol stations can be a bit far between each other as we found out last year so plan to do no more than 80 or so miles in a stint. Oh yes, the usual way to acknowledge another rider over there is to stick your left leg out and some car drivers are more apprecaitive of motocyclists so do it to them as well. Hope you have a great time . Andy
Right leg, isn't it? Although I bet they're not fussy. For a while I misconstrued this gesture as suggesting you'd like to kick their door in. But no, it's just a way of saying thanks without taking your hands off the bars. I usually do anyway - seems sort of more polite and less aggressive.
Similar to a holiday on the isle of skye. I would stop to allow the locals through and they pipped there horn at me!! I was fuming at first until i realised they were saying thank you lol! An old bloke jumped out in front of us in my 4x4 in Uig. I slammed the anchors on and just managed to stop. He just came round the side and got in the back. I looked at my girlfriend and she looked at me and my rottweiler looked at him and he just said I am not going far up the road. I drove off, he said "here will do" and got out. Was quite nice to know some areas are still like that once i realised what was happening LOL!
So we are back safe and well from the mini tour. Decided in the end to concentrate on the Normandy peninsula and visited the WW2 sites on the way down. Stayed in a hotel in Caen city centre the first night, the Best Western was nice and central, had secure off street parking for £6 , it was really quiet and managed to negotiate a huge discount on the normal tariff too. Second night moved onto a smaller hotel in the centre of Bayeux, Hotel d'Argouges, was recommended on trip advisor The owner was very pleasant and allowed me to park securely in a big garage / out house. Again managed to get a huge discount off the normal price as it was quiet and shared a bottle of red with the owner whilst watching the football later that evening. Very friendly place. Had dinner in an excellent restaurant in Bayeux too, L'Angle Saint Laurent, truly superb food, well priced, good service. After Bayeux we decided to pop into Paris for a night, we used the Autoroutes to cover the miles quickly and aside for the 4-5 toll stops the traffic flows fast and cleanly. I did notice that most toll stops in France have a mini toll on the very right hand side specifically for bikes, the toll is cheaper (free on some) but there's plenty of time to put your wallet etc away and gloves on as there is seldom anyone behind you. The Hotels in Paris were busier and more expensive but we decided to head a few miles out of town and went for an Ibis, no frills but clean and with secure overnight parking. Was relatively cheap for Paris and close to the Metro. Do try to find somewhere close to the Metro if you can, its only Euro1.70 for a ticket and you can go where you like once your on. Managed to see the sights in Paris and had a nice meal and some drinks before heading back to the Hotel but it was a whistle-stop tour. Headed back the next day to Cherbourg to get the boat, it was cold and a reasonable length of a ride but nothing too demanding, nipped off the main autoroutes for a bit to get some lunch and found a small village called Deauville, very pretty and quiet. Aside from that it was plain sailing, the bike was faultless with reasonable distances between tanks, good comfort for both of us and reasonable wind protection considering how windy it was. Weather wise we were lucky, no rain, snow or ice. cool but ok temps of 4-10 degrees most days and lots of sunshine. In terms of things I took, well we packed light and simple clothes wise which was about spot on. I took some bike stuff, chain lube, wd40 etc. The gaffer tape came in handy several times from fixing a broken heated vest plug to covering helmet vents to warm them up. Didn't take V5s or insurance paperwork (totally forgot) but I was never asked for anything so it wasn't a problem, some high-vis would make you stand out but you don't really need it as the French seem pretty courteous and sensible around bikes (except in Paris where everyone is mental!). It was much simpler than I had though, get the Trip advisor app for your phone and use it to steer decisions on hotels and restaurants and you won't go too far wrong but overall I would highly recommend getting out there and having a go! This went on a bit so I apologize but hopefully someone will find something useful in there
Where to start? Better roads, more space, being able to walk into any restaurant or bar in full bike gear and being welcomed, car drivers that move over for you and acknowledge, not being regarded as a second-class road user, old people sitting outside in the evening giving you a friendly wave, sensational scenery, mile after mile of twisties & sweeping bends, and unless you are speeding through restricted villages & towns, police that leave you alone to enjoy your ride. Taking the bike down to the SW this July between Biarritz & the Pyrenees. Can't wait!
When you add Spain, Italy etc it becomes apparent the UK is shite for motorcycling. The UK is so overpopulated that its difficult to find good biking roads and when you do they are usually awash with Police and speed cameras. I love taking my bike into europe, it just feels so free and enjoyable, not having to constantly watch for speed traps etc allows me to concentrate on my riding. Throw in spectacular scenery and, usually, much better weather, its a no brainer.
