The best way to ensure a nice motorcycle road trip in the sun is to go to the south of France. In the south-eastern part, Nice is a good starting point, with its beautiful heritage, its museums and the Mediterranean Sea which reveals its most beautiful shades of blue. Around, the hilly hinterland of Nice is ideal for beautiful walks, with superb panoramas to photograph at any time, and a natural environment suitable for hiking and outdoor activities. The Alpes-Maritimes and the neighbouring departments are territories which make the happiness of the nature lovers, but also of those which wish to benefit from a rich inheritance, ancestral villages and gastronomy, the whole under a sun which shines generously. So after renting a motorcycle from Yamaha Rent Nice-Castellan, which offers motorcycles and scooters for safe riding, it's time to escape to discover some of the treasures surrounding the pearl of the French Riviera
The motorbike road trip starts in Nice, where before picking up the motorbike(s), the travellers will have taken the time to discover the city and its 1,000 charms. Two or three days spent in Nice means strolling through the narrow streets of the old town to admire its colourful facades, and then stopping off at some nice places to enjoy the local gastronomy. For example, to taste the little Niçois farcis, you can stop at the 7th Sense, a restaurant with a friendly atmosphere and which cooks with fresh and local products. In Nice, you should also visit its most prestigious monuments such as the Russian Orthodox Cathedral, before strolling along the Promenade des Anglais and taking a swim in the translucent water at a good temperature. Ideally, you should pick up the motorcycle a day before departure, to take a first excursion to Éze, a superb village high up in the mountains with lush natural surroundings. The tone is set. For sleeping, the Armenonville is an excellent choice. Some of the rooms in this beautiful early 20th century mansion overlook the pretty garden with trees, and the place has free parking for motorbikes.
Themotorcycle adventure then takes place in the heart of the hilly landscapes of the Nice hinterland. What a pleasure to enjoy all these beautiful panoramas until we reach the next destination for a few days: Barcelonnette. We are now in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, at an altitude of 1,000 m and in the heart of the Ubaye valley. At 2 km from the city, we put our bags down in the middle of nature in the Cheval de Bois guest house, which has two comfortable rooms with a view of the mountains. To start your stay, we recommend you to walk through the centre of Barcelonnette, where you will find beautiful villas and houses with Mexican architecture. Then it's time to sit down at a table to get your strength back. You can't stay in the town without trying the mountain cuisine, and for that, the Bistrot Tinto is a quality address, with a cuisine that favours short supply circuits and organic produce. In terms of activities, the Ubaye valley is a wonderful playground for climbing the Chapeau du Gendarme, the highest peak at 2,600 m; mountain biking at the Cayolle pass; and also white water activities such as rafting.
Later, the road leads the bikers to Digne-les-Bains, for a stop under the sign of well-being and nature. The town is indeed a thermal spa whose mountain waters are known for their benefits. After a lunch at the Maréchalerie, whose owner does not fail to inform on the richness of the city that he knows on the fingertips, we take the direction of the aquatic center Les Eaux Chaudes, for a good relaxing session in the whirlpool or solarium. Well rested, you can settle in for a few nights at the Hostellerie de l'Aiglon, a hotel ideally located opposite a large car park, and which also offers a small menu of organic cuisine. The rest of the stay in Digne-les-Bains includes an escapade on the road to Nice to cross the small villages of Mézel, Estoublon or Bras d'Asse until reaching the plateau of Valensole and its lavender fields. You should also not miss a trip to the Gorges du Verdon for kayaking and swimming in its turquoise waters; a mountain bike session on the unmissable Terres Noires circuit; and a visit to some of the architectural treasures of the Val de Durance, such as the Ganagobie monastery, whose construction began in the 10th century.
For the continuation of this delightful motorcycle trip in the south of France, the road takes travelers south to Grasse. City of Art and History, it is also known as the world capital of perfume. So, it is quite natural that one takes the time to stroll in the museums dedicated to the art of perfumery such as the International Perfumery Museum, the Fragonard Perfumery Museum or even the Molinard Perfumery Museum. The town is also a good place to go for a walk to contemplate its pastel facades, to stop in its cafés and to climb the old watchtower of Grasse, which from the top of its 30 m, reveals a superb panorama of the town and its surroundings. When it's time to eat, head to the wash house to taste the traditional and regional cuisine in the pleasant setting of the Place des Ormeaux. On the nature side, motorcycle rides lead to the Regional Natural Park of the Préalpes d'Azur, where you can, for example, reach the cave of Baume Obscure to learn about geology and mineralogy. Also to be seen in the vicinity of Grasse, the Bambous du Mandarin, a bamboo grove where more than 80 species are cultivated by an enthusiast. The serenity of the place, the charming corners, this visit is 100% rejuvenating. During this stay, you will have appreciated sleeping in the setting of La Bastide des Anges, where the rooms are located in an 18th century bastide with a swimming pool and where the flowers, olive trees and fruit trees contribute to the tranquillity of the place.
Before returning the motorcycle to the rental agency and ending the trip, the motorcycle road trip continues with two key places on the French Riviera: Antibes and Cannes. In Antibes, you can take advantage of the Mas Djoliba hotel to stay in a room with soothing colours, but also to relax in the garden and in the beautiful swimming pool. The motorbike can be parked in the vicinity and you are only 10 minutes away from Antibes and its old town on foot. You can visit monuments such as the colourful cathedral Notre-Dame-de-la-Platéa d'Antibes, the chapel Saint-Bernardin, and then stroll along the Port Vauban, the largest marina in Europe where prestigious boats are moored. Spending a few days in Antibes offers an ideal geographical position for wandering along the Mediterranean coast. So before returning to Nice, think about scheduling a stopover in Cannes. The Croisette and the palaces are waiting for walkers and photo enthusiasts, but you should also think about going to the Suquet district for its medieval streets and its view over the bay. You can also go shopping, making sure you don't take on too much to ride your motorcycle. All these strolls inevitably whet the appetite and are well worth a stop at the Grain de Sel. This charmingly decorated place offers local and international cuisine, but it is also open during the day as a tea room and offers cocktails and tapas for aperitifs.
Motorcycle travelers can get information on sightseeing and good deals by contacting the Metropolitan Nice Côte d'Azur, Bercelonnette, Digne-les-Bains, Grasse, Antibes Juan-les-Pins and Cannes tourist offices. For more information on motorcycle rental in Toulouse, visit the Yamaha Rent website.
