Where did you ride from/to?
Motorcycle ride through the South of France on a rental Ducati - the trip of a lifetime
What did you ride?
I always dreamt of “European motorcycling” – ideally on a Ducati with winding roads, scenic views and exquisite food. After searching Google I came across a Ducati motorcycle rental company in Cannes – the ideal spot to discover the French Riviera.
My husband and I rented two Ducati Monster 696. On the first day we rode from Cannes to St.-Tropez. The coastal road is fantastic. One turn after the other while the blue sea shimmers in the sun. Although the harbor in St.-Tropez is real pretty, everything is expensive. On the way back we took the inland route driving through hidden villages on twisting roads. All in all we covered 133 miles that day.
The next day we rode on the Route Napoleon to visit the breathtaking Grand Canyon of France. This road is made up of fast bends, but requires your full concentration. There are such cool sights to see and the food we had in a small village was awesome.
The Grand Canyon itself is amazing. You can actually drive through it. And at the end of the canyon is a magnificent lake where we had coffee. That day we covered 200 miles.
On the last day we rode the coastal route to Monaco. Even went for a lap of the Monaco Grand Prix. My husband really enjoyed it. We still have to check what the lap record is. But I’m guessing its way below our lap time. Another 140 miles with the return route leading us through the mountains above Monaco.
All in all we had a great trip. So much fun. It might not seem like a long distance in total, but riding those winding roads all day long is very different than sitting on the freeway all day. I would definitely recommend any decent biker to experience the “European way” of motorcycling. Preferably on a European motorbike such as a BMW, Ducati or Triumph.
What I'd Do Differently
- We decided to navigate the trip the “old way” with maps. It’s good to get an idea of the region by studying the map, but in future I would take a TomTom. Also, I think it would be good to take an experienced guide for the day. That way you get the most out of a day’s riding.
- Finally, I would like to thank the guys at Columbus in Cannes, who rented us the Ducatis. The motorcycles never missed a beat and the guys were really helpful providing advice on routes and delivered our bikes to the hotel. Check their website http://www.columbus-international.com for further info. Next time we go, we’ll use the TomTom.
