Ben’s Motorcycle Tour de France: 5 Stops That Still Echo

Road trip moto France doesn’t have to mean crossing continents or chasing postcard clichés. Ben, 33, learned that the hard way—then the best way. After a brutal redundancy in 2016, he swapped his guitar for an engine and two wheels, and felt something restart: his own momentum. Instead of flying 15,000 km to be humbled by landscapes, he traced a loop around his own country and set off on a Mash 400cc. Three weeks later, he didn’t come back with a “perfect itinerary,” but with five places that stayed under his helmet long after the ride ended.

Below: Ben’s selection, in chronological order—short, vivid, and rideable.

1) Lake Paladru (Charavines): turquoise water, farm-road calm

What it feels like
To reach Lake Paladru, Ben remembers the kind of backroads that make you slow down without forcing you to: narrow country lanes, golden fields, tractors in the distance, and that dry dust that finds its way into your visor when harvest is on.

Why it matters
Because it’s disarming: in certain light, the water turns shockingly blue—“Caribbean turquoise,” Ben insists—and it resets your sense of scale. It’s also the kind of stop where a simple picnic becomes a real moment, not a checkbox.

Where/when to stop
Ride the loop around the lake just for the pleasure of it, then park up by the shore for a long break. If you can, aim for a calm window (early day or late afternoon) to avoid busy summer traffic in Charavines.

2) The Vosges at dawn: the Col de la Schlucht, then disappear onto side roads

What it feels like
The Col de la Schlucht is a classic among riders, and Ben understands why. Climbing up, the scenery shifts toward the softer lines of Alsace, with tall fir trees that feel almost vertical—“like they’re trying to touch the sky,” he says—while you fight the urge to stare too long.

Why it matters
It’s one of those places that can look like a film set: mist, dark forest, sudden openings. Ben had never been to Canada, yet parts of the Vosges gave him that same “far away” sensation—without leaving France.

Where/when to stop
Start early. Dawn temperatures can be cool even when the plains are warm, so layer up. And don’t just “do the pass”: peel off onto minor roads and small connectors. That’s where the surprises live.

3) The Landes: long, straight départementales and a slower rhythm

What it feels like
On his way toward Bordeaux, Ben wasn’t prepared for the Landes: roads so straight they feel endless, a wide blue sky, and lines of oaks and pines reflecting that light back at you. It’s hypnotic riding—simple, steady, almost meditative.

Why it matters
It teaches patience in a good way. Ben shared a stretch with two Harley-Davidsons and caught the local tempo: you settle in, you roll smooth, you let the horizon do the talking.

Where/when to stop
This is an easy section to underestimate: straight roads can tire you out faster than twisties because your attention dulls. Plan a real break every 60–90 minutes, even if you “feel fine.”

4) Col d’Elhursaro (Pyrenees, Spanish border): milk-white weather, free-roaming animals

What it feels like
This climb came with a guide: Loïc Chetout, a pro cyclist who knows the area and showed up on an old BMW. The weather started “milky,” then turned into something else entirely—thick white cloud that cut visibility to a few dozen meters at best.

Why it matters
Because the mountain flipped into a near-apocalyptic calm: sheep, goats, and horses moving freely, sound swallowed by fog, humans suddenly feeling secondary. Ben describes it as nature reclaiming the scene—and for a moment, he wanted to pitch a tent and stay.

Where/when to stop
Treat this like a real mountain pass: check forecasts, keep your speed conservative in low visibility, and expect animals on the road around blind bends. If you’re riding in a small group, increase spacing—fog compresses distance judgment.

5) Étang de Soulcem (Pyrenees): wind, tight turns, then total silence

What it feels like
After a stop in Lourdes, Ben pointed his Mash toward Soulcem with one obsession: finding a lake he could reach by motorcycle and get close to the water. The approach was long, with rougher sections and “obstacle-strewn” tracks that demanded focus.

Why it matters
Because the final kilometers came with real pressure: gusting wind, narrow bends, and that feeling of having to earn what’s ahead. When he finally killed the engine, there was no crowd—no noise—just a single empty tent near the shore, threatening to take off. Ben sat on a rock for hours, facing blue water swallowed by huge mountains, and called it the most beautiful moment of his roadtrip.

Where/when to stop
Expect strong wind funnels in the valley and be ready to slow down for exposed corners. If you ride loaded, keep weight low and secure—gusts can nudge the bike mid-turn. Arrive with time: this spot rewards stillness more than speed.

Planet Ride rider tip (the one that prevents dumb fatigue)

On a road trip moto France loop, don’t stack “pretty roads” back-to-back all day. Mix one technical section (passes, tight turns) with one easier transit section. Your brain recovers, your margin returns, and you ride cleaner on day 3 than you did on day 1.

Mini-FAQ: Motorcycle roadtrip France (practical questions)

Do I need special paperwork for a motorcycle trip inside France?

For French roads, you ride with your standard license, registration, and insurance documents. If you’re coming from abroad, ensure your license is valid in France and carry proof of insurance.

What’s the best season for a Tour de France by motorcycle?

Late spring to early autumn is the easiest window. Mountain passes in the Vosges and Pyrenees can feel cold at dawn even in summer; heat and traffic peak in mid-summer.

Is a small-displacement bike enough for a France loop?

Ben did it on a Mash 400cc. The limiting factor is rarely engine size—it’s pacing, comfort, and how you manage wind, long straights, and rougher approach roads like the run to Soulcem.

À savoir aujourd’hui

This story remains a solid inspiration for building a French loop around real riding sensations—backroads, passes, forests, and quiet water. Before leaving in 2026, verify current access conditions for mountain roads and lake approaches, and double-check local restrictions around parking/camping near sensitive sites.