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PROVENCE-ALPES-CÔTE D’AZUR
Motorcycle accommodation in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur with secure parking
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Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur by Motorcycle
Stretching from the Mediterranean coast to the high Alps and the wild backcountry of inland Provence, the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region is one of France's most spectacular destinations for a motorcycle road trip. The sheer variety of landscapes is hard to match anywhere in Europe: clifftop coastal roads between Nice and Menton, soaring alpine passes, the jaw-dropping limestone gorges of the Verdon, lavender-covered plateaus and hilltop villages that seem untouched by time. Riders love this region for the range it offers. In a single day's riding, you can drop from a snow-edged alpine pass down to the seafront, carve through the deepest canyon in Europe, or cruise through fragrant Provençal countryside as the light turns golden in the late afternoon. With six departments each offering a completely different character, PACA is ideal for a week-long touring loop or longer. To plan your overnight stops, Bivo makes it easy to find biker-friendly accommodation with secure motorcycle parking, so you can focus on the roads.
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur departments for your next motorcycle rides
To help you choose your next motorcycle destination
Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
The wildest and most sparsely populated corner of PACA. The Gorges du Verdon is its undisputed centerpiece: 25 kilometres of clifftop road above a canyon dropping 700 metres to turquoise water below. Add the lavender plateau of Valensole, the high roads of the Ubaye valley and the Col de la Cayolle, and you have one of the best riding territories in southern France for anyone who loves big scenery and technical roads.
Hautes-Alpes
This is proper alpine riding territory. The Col d'Izoard, Col de Vars, Col Agnel and the famous Route des Grandes Alpes all pass through or begin here. Briançon, the highest fortified city in Europe, is the natural gateway. The passes open late in the season and close by October, but from June to September the riding here is genuinely world-class.
Alpes-Maritimes
The coast at the bottom, the Alps at the top, and some remarkable roads connecting the two. The Moyenne Corniche between Nice and Menton, the cols de la Turbie, Castillon and Braus, and the rugged backcountry behind Nice offer a rare blend of sea views and mountain riding. Monaco is just around the corner, and the Italian border is only a few kilometres away.
Bouches-du-Rhône
The most urban department in the region, anchored by Marseille, but with more riding interest than its reputation suggests. The Calanques, the Sainte-Baume massif, the Camargue and the Alpilles all offer worthwhile escapes. The flatlands around the Crau and the Durance are less rewarding on two wheels, but the nearby Luberon more than makes up for it.
Var
Sandwiched between the Maures and Esterel massifs, the Var delivers excellent forest and coastal riding. The Corniche d'Or between Fréjus and Cannes is a classic route that never gets old. The inland villages around Aups, Cotignac and the Verdon foothills see far fewer tourists than the coast, and are best explored outside the summer peak when the roads are quiet and the atmosphere genuinely relaxed.
Vaucluse
Mont Ventoux dominates the department and is a must-ride for any serious tourer passing through. Around it, the Luberon roads, the Dentelles de Montmirail, the ochre villages of the Colorado Provençal and the vineyard routes between Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas make for a rich and varied loop. Avignon is a practical base for exploring in every direction.