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**Nasty1** · #1 3 Oct 2008

Hi

I am looking for some advice from seasoned travellers please. Two of us are planning a trip up/down the RDGA & then back via the Route Napoleon in 2009. I think I pretty much have enough information to cover the Route Des Grandes Alpes and the Route Napoleon but looking for suggestions on a route to Geneve/Thonon-Les-Bains from the UK.

I have done some quick routes on Google maps for an idea on distances and it would look like we are going to need an overnight stop. The mileages seem similar from either Calais or Le Havre to Thonon. Our bikes will be needing fuel roughly every 100 miles or 120 max and really would like to avoid tolls but still make good progress and have some interesting roads/scenery if possible getting to Thonon.

Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated

Cheers

Adie

**Tourider** · #2 3 Oct 2008

The Parc Des Ballons region in South Alsace is worth a look, magnificent scenery, good roads and interesting history. The small town of Kaysersberg is a medieval gem that took me totally by surprise this year, I intend to return very soon.

**BOB UK** · #3 3 Oct 2008

Hi Adie
I did almost the trip you are thinking of a few years ago it was great and Ive Been down to the alps a few times I was down there in June this year

You didn't say if you are camping or staying in Hotels ether way there are lots of great places to stay on the way and in the alps

I like to go Portsmouth -La Havra on LD Lines then I get out of Le Havra over the Pont de Normande Bridge then just A bit of auto route towards Rouen then down the N154 to Orleans (There are some parts of this road were fuel is hard to come by and remember that most of the garages in France close for lunch at 12 till 2pm ) round Orleans on the Auto Route
then Gien (Which is a good place to stay Good campsite right on the south side of the river )
then we sort of go Nevers, Moulins, Macon Bourg-en bresse ,and from there you can almost see the Alps

if you need any more info let us know there is always someone on here who has been there before

here are the links to photos of my trips

Wish I was back there now

Just Back from France - ::. UKGS'er.com .::

Bob Fred's Photos - Jolly boys 2008 | Facebook

**Nasty1** · #4 3 Oct 2008

Thanks for the advice so far

BobUK.

We were planning to Hotel it, thinking that Canvas may be a bit Chilly at that kind of altitude etc, having said that we are geared up for camping but not being on GS's it gets a little cramped. I am a bit of a rookie at this route planning lark so appreciate your advice...cheers M8.

Adie

**BOB UK** · #5 3 Oct 2008

Campings great as I always find it easier to find a good campsite than a good cheap hotel and the prices in France have gone through the roof

What time of year are you going ?

Its not too cold if you camp in the bottoms of the valleys and have a winter sleeping bag there ain't many campsites up high on the mountains anyway because it gets too cold up there but when the weather is good Id much Rather be in my tent than a hotel

The down side is you have to carry lots of extra stuff and as you can see from my pictures I'm crap at packing and always have far too much stuff and every year I say next year will be different I wont have all this crap then I pack and in it all goes

Top Tip To save cash if you are on a budget is do the picnic lunch thing every day,
we did it all this year into the hypermarket rolls and ham and a few bits and bobs then sit on top of the mountain and have the Best view in town and with a small cooker or a flask you can even have that must have cup of coffee

And as you are not that far away how about this run
Mistletoe Run
its on the 21st December this year

and a few more shots of the Alps from A few years ago but it hasnt changed much
DMEC

As you can tell from this I love the Alps

**Nasty1** · #6 3 Oct 2008

Bob, I can see you are really passionate for the Alps, the pictures are excellent.

My packing is no better...trust me!

We have no firm time for going ATM but we are thinking sometime between July and end of August...we would like the best of the weather see

. I suppose that really leaves no excuse for not camping though

.

The run you have linked to looks very worthy, I do have my 640 ADV for sale on here ATM but things are slow, hopefully if I can move it on and get set up with me new bike I want then I'll look to come along and see if I can get me bruv along too.

Thanks again

Adie

**kevinhancock750** · #7 4 Oct 2008

your choosing the busiest time to go to the alps in july/august as the european kids are off school july/august! = everyman and his dog on holiday! lots of hotels will be full so book them well in advance.end of june and beginning of september are still a good bet for the weather and much quieter etc. try and stay in the gite's in france (b&b). there better than hotel's as you eat with the familiy and they can offer local information.(best roads etc). if not formule 1 hotel chain are cheap as chips also. when you get to switzerland stay off the motorway or you will need to buy a vignette (road tax). it is only sold on a yearly basis so you'll be paying a years tax!