For the final tour of the year we had fabulous weather, brilliant roads & scenery and a winner at Monte Carlo – what’s not to like!
Many take the ferry from Portsmouth
Start with a pre-tour briefing
Russ has a travelling companion!
Buzz is back!!
Ready for the off
Jen’s leading today
John stops for his favourite animals!
Spotted en-route
“Dear John and Jen, this was my 5th trip with BN European Tours, each one has been professionally organised and put together, and this one (even with my mishaps) was an amazing holiday. Fabulous roads, beautiful scenery, good hotels, even the guests! It all blended together into a wonderful and memorable time. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend you guys to my motorcycle buddies. Thank you for looking after me when I needed it. Best wishes”
Bill Webb, 5th trip, BMW R1250 RT, Kent
Parking at lunch stop
Afternoon coffee stop
Our first hotel
Has a lovely pool
“This was a lively, fun and friendly group. The routes were good – of course – with great scenery through the gorges and in the Verdon. The hotels were comfortable and meals excellent. John & Jen were caring, considerate and attentive hosts as always. Thank you.“
Terry Stanfield, 16th trip (2nd time for this one), BMW R1250RS, Wiltshire
Some visit Chenonceau Chateau
Thanks Terry
Jen has a swim
As does John
Drinks before dinner
Dinner is included tonight
“Stoner” with Jen
John’s telling jokes
“This is the third time I’ve done this particular tour and it gets better every time. Some glorious runs through the French countryside, the gorges and the Route Napoleon. Throw in some stops in some lovely towns for coffee, lunch and tea breaks, and you’ll find this tour has it all.
Hotels vary from OK to Very Good. A couple of new ones on the itinerary this year, both of which were at the Very Good end of the scale…surprisingly, given the limited choice, the “I don’t know how we do it at the price” included meals have not disappointed me yet!
The only downsides of this tour were negotiating the traffic and soulless roads and roundabouts around Avignon and Nice. But no pain no gain I suppose.
Lastly, a great bunch of fellow riders and pillions. A number I knew from previous rides and now a few more I hope to keep in contact with. Thanks everyone, a bientot“
Reece Compton, 8th tour, Triumph Tiger 1050 Sport, Essex
Bike parking
Always a morning briefing
Jen’s in the lead today
Martin & Denise – BMW R1250RT
John S – Triumph Tiger 900 GT
Mike – Triumph Tiger Rally Explorer
Steve – Kawasaki Z1000SX
Russ – Honda Africa Twin
Kevin – Kawasaki ZZR 1400
Mark – KTM 1290 Superduke R
Adrian & his Dad “Stoner”
“Back-marker” Terry – BMW R1250RS
“This was our second tour with BN European Tours and it did not disappoint. Great to catch up with friends we had made on last year’s tour. If you like a mixture of fast open roads and twisties this tour is for you but, beware, the days can be long. They were long for me as I was suffering from the effects of a cold. We had an eclectic mix of hotels which adds to the scene of adventure. Meals are always interesting in France – just make sure you have that steak well done. A visit to the casino in Monte Carlo is a must – especially when you place that bet and your number comes up, happy days! Many thanks to John & Jen for arranging the weather and it stayed dry for the whole trip. Many thanks for the company.”
Mick & Judy Thompson, 2nd tour, BMW F900XR, Herefordshire
Lovely scenery
Reece – Triumph Tiger 1050 Sport
Mick & Judy – BMW F900 XR
Ron – BMW R1250GS
Nigel & daughter Becky – BMW R1250RS
Stephen – Honda Africa Twin
Bill – BMW R1250RT
Morning coffee stop
Picnic lunch stop
After another great ride (hey Reece!!)
We cross a huge dam
Afternoon coffee stop
The hotel lounge
Reece
Nigel, Stoner & Becky
Put him down Judy !!!
Drinks before dinner
Dinner is in a local restaurant
Secure garage parking
Always a morning briefing
Lovely scenery in the Lot
Thanks Adrian
Always regroup for any motorway
We stop at the Millau Bridge
Some walk up for the view
Cafe closed – some had a picnic lunch!
But we’re still having a good time!
Jen’s leading again
Reece’s 8th trip
Mark’s 2nd tour
Martin & Denise’s 8th trip
John’s 11th trip
Charming…Stephen’s 4th trip
Nigel’s 6th trip & Becky’s 1st
Russ’s 8th trip
Mike’s 1st tour
Mick & Judy’s 2nd trip
Stoner’s 9th trip
Adrian’s 5th trip
Ron’s 4th trip
Kevin’s 1st tour
Steve’s 1st tour
Terry’s 16th tour!
Ride over the Millau Bridge
Fabulous Tarn Gorge
Afternoon coffee stop
Bill’s BMW has a problem!
Adrian & Stoner take advantage!
En-route to our hotel
Our hotel in Uzes
Drinks on the terrace
Uzes by night
It’s fab weather
Bill’s back!
Morning briefing
Morning coffee stop
Lovely roads in Provence
Lunch stop
So who left this on Jen’s seat?!
Coffee stop – before police moved us!
Our next hotel for 2 nights
Has great views
Drinks in the bar
Stroll into town
Lots of restaurants
It’s a lovely morning
Jen has an early swim
Breakfast on the terrace
The cutest little residents!
Kev’s chillin’
Our hotel’s in a fab location
Adrian goes for a ride-out…
With his Dad, Russ & Mark
Stephen & Kev ride out like locals!
A market in town (thanks John S)
Some of us catch the bus to Monaco
The famous Casino
Jen & Terry are there!
Flash cars everywhere
Inside the casino
But no photos in the gaming rooms
Stroll down to the port
Terry
Us!
We take the Bateau Bus
Denise & Martin, Judy & Mick
Us again!
Juan Manuel Fangio
The Palace
Great views
Reece had been to a jazz club
Thanks Reece
Back at Villefranche…
It’s another free night
Another lovely morning
A cruise ship’s here
Leaving Villefranche
We ride the Route Napoleon
An early lunch stop
Super scenery
Stunning view
Jen parks up to get photos
John’s leading today
Stoner
Russ
Nigel & Becky
Martin & Denise
Stephen
Steve
Reece
Kevin
Ron
Mick & Judy
“Wide-load” Bill (sorry!!)
Mark
John S
Adrian
And finally Terry
Kevin stops for photos
Now it’s the Verdon Gorge
We stop for photos
Of Lake Sainte-Croix
The group – minus Mike!
A selfie for Adrian
Stoner, Stephen, Becky & Kevin
Jen (thanks Stoner)
Rock-climbers
Father Stoner & son Adrian
Stoner stops for photos
Afternoon coffee stop
En-route to our hotel
Our next hotel
Drinks before dinner
Dinner is included tonight
Drinks on the house!
How sweet!
Steve, Nigel & Reece
The original Arc de Triomphe
John’s leading again today
Stephen
Bill
Kevin
Mark
Steve
Mike
Reece
Stoner
Ron
Nigel & Becky
Russ
Martin & Denise
John S
Terry
En-route to fuel stop
Ride through the Ardeche gorge
More great scenery
Goats everywhere…
Not what you want round a bend!!
Pont D’Arc
Quick photo stop
Usual cafe is closed…
So we go into town
Ride through vineyards
More great roads
Lunch stop
Another pic-nic
Kevin
Russ is feeling rough…
Stoner
Thanks Adrian
Afternoon coffee stop
Heading into the volcanoes…
Fortunately they’re inactive!
Our next hotel
There’s a warm welcome for us
A free night – meet in a bar
A fabulous breakfast
Let’s take up all the spaces!!
Morning briefing
Leaving the volcanoes
Morning coffee stop
Where there’s a huge market
Lunch stop
John S
Afternoon coffee stop
Our final hotel
Drinks before dinner
Dinner is in a local restaurant
Thanks to back-marker Terry
So who won at the roulette???
Sit down if your number has a 1 or a 3
Stay up if you’ve a 2 or an 8
Sit down if yours is a single digit
Drum roll…
The winner is number 22…
Mick wins 180 euros!!
John kicks off the jokes
Stoner’s up next
Becky doesn’t quite tell one!
Nigel does though!
Stephen’s up next
Stoner again
And then Steve
John’s up again!
Jen reads a poem from Fran…
Have missed you Terry, Jen & John – tour to Monte Carlo ten years on!
As van companions last time round – I saw the sights and heard the sounds…
Of bikes and laughter, jokes and moans – so know your last night’s cheers and groans!
Am thankful for such times with you, and just can’t wait to share the view…
Of life and joy as pillion sure, so roll on next year and tour rides more!
Russ says some words of thanks to us (cheers!)
We say goodbye to Nigel & Becky
Final morning briefing
Morning coffee stop
Falaise for lunch
It’s still really hot!
And that’s it, all back to the ferry and the end of the season. This tour has amazing scenery, brilliant roads, great hotels & food and we had glorious weather throughout. We appreciate that the late arrivals at two hotels (due to extensive roadworks in Nice (we’ll change the route next year) and then a diversion) made for a couple of long days but hopefully everyone still enjoyed the tour. We hope to see many of you again on future tours. Ride safe, John & Jen. P.S. sorry for the delay in posting the review, we had to have a day out for John’s birthday present – see below!!
John’s spoilt for choice!
They’re so cute!
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