TARN GORGES & CHATEAUXSaturday May 4th - Monday May 13th (9 nights, 10 days)
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The first of this years’ luxury tours and one which takes us through rural France to the beautiful Tarn Gorge – a stunning canyon some 33 miles long. Our return is via Vienne & Lyon, following the paths of the Rhone & Saone Rivers. We’ll also ride through the Massif Central with its’ dormant volcanoes surrounding Clermont-Ferrand as well as the wine region of Burgundy. Staying in several quality Chateaux and 4-star hotels this tour boasts gratification, gastronomy and glorious riding. As with all our tours, a support van will carry your luggage daily and is on hand in case of breakdowns.
A fantastic tour through the lesser known sites and areas of Bourgogne, Auvergne & the Massif Central. 
Day 1. Saturday May 4th. Calais to Evreux (approx. 175 miles)
After arriving in Calais we head towards Rouen and to crunch some miles the first 100 miles will be on motorway. When we leave the motorway we cut through the beautiful Normandy countryside, stopping in Lyons- la-Foret, a picturesque Norman village with a covered market dating from the 17th century. We then cross the Seine and continue onto our first night's hotel in Evreux where dinner with wine is included. Day 2. Sunday May 5th. Evreux to Bourges (approx. 180 miles) We leave Evreux and cut cross-country using minor country roads via woods and villages avoiding the major truck routes around Dreux and Chartres. We’ll stop in Maintenon, with its old buildings, aqueduct and Chateau dating from 1674 and then on towards the Loire and our lunch stop in Chateauneuf-sur-Loire. We cross the mighty Loire at Sully where the Chateau makes a beautiful picture next to the river. On towards Bourges and our final stop of the day in Aubigny with its old timber beamed houses built by Robert Stewart, a Scotsman who inherited the town from an ancestor. Our hotel tonight is in the old centre of Bourges and you are free to eat out in this historic town. Day 3. Monday May 6th. Bourges to Clermont Ferrand (approx. 140 miles) As we leave Bourges we run alongside the river Cher towards St Armand and our first break of the day. We cut through this quiet region via Chambon-sur-Voueze with its massive Romanesque church and then onward towards Clermont Ferrand with its crater topped, now idle volcanoes standing in a line above the city. Tonight's hotel is on the outskirts of the city centre and dinner with wine is included tonight. Day 4. Tuesday May 7th. Clermont Ferrand to Tarn (approx. 180 miles) This morning we head south towards Mont-Dore, a ski resort near the Puy de Sancy in the Massif Central, then continue on the scenic back roads to Murat, a lovely picturesque town. We then cross the gorges de la Truyere and follow the River Lot until we arrive in the Tarn gorges. Our two night stay is at a 15th century, 4 star Chateau, surrounded by the riverside cliffs and hidden away in the forest. Dinner with wine is included tonight. Day 5. Wednesday May 8th. Day off Relax by the heated swimming pool, explore the chateau and its beautiful surroundings, take a leisurely 5 mile run out to Sainte-Enimie for lunch or a quick couple of miles to the next village, the choice is yours. Tonight you are free to eat out or at the chateau. Day 6. Thursday May 9th. Tarn to Vienne (approx. 160 miles) We start the morning riding the entire length of the gorge and over the 1,000m pass to Mende which sits in the mountains of the Lot. We continue on great twisting back roads via Le Monastier in the Haute Loire. From here we head east to pick up the River Rhone at Tain Hermitage and follow the river north to our 4 star Chateau style country house hotel. Dinner with wine is included tonight. Day 7. Friday May 10th. Vienne to Beaune (approx. 150 miles) This morning we cross the Rhone and make our way to Signal de Saint-Andre and skirt around busy Lyon before heading north to Villefranche-sur-Saone and Macon which stands on the river Saone. We follow the river past Chalon-sur-Saone and make our way to tonight’s hotel, a 10 minute walk to the centre of historic Beaune. This 5 star Chateau Hotel is set in beautiful gardens and dinner with wine is included tonight. Day 8. Saturday May 11th. Beaune to Troyes (approx. 130 miles) Today we travel through the Burgundy wine fields to Nuit-Saint-Gorges, Veuvey, Fleurie and Saint-Seine-l’Abbaye where we then follow the valley of the source of the River Seine. Following the River Seine to Chatillion-sur-Seine and then on to our 4 star, timber framed hotel in the centre of historic Troyes. Tonight you are free to eat out. Day 9. Sunday May 12th. Troyes to Fere-en-Tardenois (approx. 100 miles) As we leave Troyes we continue to follow the Seine towards Anglure, which stands on the River Aube. Continuing north, we cross the River Marne and on to our final chateau stay. This 5 star chateau stands in 60 acres of parklands which is also home to a ruined castle. Dinner with wine is included tonight. Day 10. Monday May 13th. Fere-en-Tardenois to Calais (approx. 170 miles) An easy ride today via Soissons and Noyon and then north via Ham and Peronne in the Somme and a final stop in Arras before making our way back to Calais in time for a late afternoon crossing back to Dover. Total tour mileage approx. 1,390 Please ensure you have read our Terms & Conditions
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Prices
Rider sharing a room £2,195 ......................................... Rider & pillion £4,295 ......................................... Rider, single room £3,195 ......................................... Price Includes:
N.B. If you do not require the ferry crossing, deduct £100 per motorcycle. 
We found the whole trip one of the best we have undertaken, the accommodation first class, a truly relaxing break .Looking forward to riding with you again |
