Last Updated on: March 17, 2025

Riding through France, or a bit of France, quickly makes you realize how big the country is. Well big by European standards at least. 

Through France, always an experience

France is the third largest country in Europe, but the largest in the European Union. I’ve ridden through a couple of times. Primarily in the eastern parts, going from the north to the south. Like in 2021. This time we rode southeast, in the beginning more or less in parallel to the Belgian border.

The first part through France.

We stayed on smaller roads north of Reims, which meant riding through farmlands. The temperature rose considerably as we packed on miles. I had decided to leave the Rukka suit behind, and use a lighter, mesh oriented one from Richa. Reason being I thought the “Finnish armour” to be much too warm for Europe in July. Lets say I have some (sweltering) experiences.

Turned out to be a good choice, well for the most part. The downside is that one has to stop to put on or take off raingear. If you’re used to riding with GoreTex it’s bit of a nuisance, in the beginning. But one gets used to that, plus read weather signs. July can be a very weather-wise unstable month in Europe.

Coffee & pit stop in Rethel, north of Reims.

Despite choosing smaller roads as much as we could the progress was good. The weather was on our side as well. We encountered little traffic, which was what I had hoped by avoiding big cities, like Reims. Which by the way I would have loved to stay in for a night. Maybe later one day.

Smallways always

We kept going, now slightly more south for some hours. After around 450 kilometers we arrived in Saint-Dizier and our overnight stay. Which turned out to be more of a motel. Quite alright actually, moderately priced and situated a little outside the city centre. They had a restaurant and peaceful surroundings.

A quiet morning and a simple breakfast.

The next morning after breakfast we continued south, in direction of Basel. And from there continuing through Switzerland. We kept on avoiding main roads as much as we could. That I consider to almost be a mission when you’re travelling through Europe. If, that is, you don’t have a firm plan and, additionally, needed time.

Plombiers-les-Bains, France. a nice surprise.

“Smallways always” is somewhat of a mantra to many motorcycle riders. And we were rewarded. Passing through some hills and a wood we came down into the quaint little town Plombiers-les-Bains. A town with hot springs and a history dating back to Roman times. Being somewhat of a architecture nerd bumping into such places is always a delight.

The town Plombiers-les-Bains radiated history.

The fun didn’t last

We decided to ride in direction of Basel. As a result we took N66 into and through parts of Ballons des Vosges Nature Park, a beautiful mountainous area, with lots of great roads. I came there in 2021, and can assure you it’s worth a visit! In some respects it’s almost the French version of Schwarzwald or Black Forest, almost straight east, across the border to Germany.

We passed through together in 2022 but back then bad weather forced us to hurry through. A story begins here by the way.

Taking the N66 brought us past a place I stayed at a few years back. It’s called Moto hotel Col de Bussang. If you don’t know about this place, make a note. Well worth at least one night’s stay. A true Bikers hotel! We continued down in direction of Basel, and right into the worst traffic jam of the entire adventure.

Suffice to say it wasn’t a pleasant experience. Truls-Erik’s impressive Denali auxiliary lights saved us. Cars just moved aside, bet everyone thought it was an ambulance coming. As a result we ploughed through, with lots of Swiss bikers / commuters following behind. Indeed another good reason why having extra lights on a motorcycle!

Ok, that’s enough for now. As an illustration, below the route on our second day through France. Back soon with more!

The route on the second day through France in 2024.