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Recommend an establishmentGrand Est by Motorcycle
Between the Vosges forests, the Alsace plain, Champagne vineyards and the German, Luxembourg and Swiss borders, Grand Est is a region of contrasts that's often underestimated as a motorcycle road trip destination. Its vast territory stretches from the Vosges ridges all the way to the Argonne plateaus and the chalky Champagne plains, taking in the lush green landscapes of Lorraine and the winding roads of wine-growing Alsace along the way. Riders love this region for the sheer variety of its scenery and the quality of its back roads. In just a few hours in the saddle, you can drop from the wooded Vosges crests down into the Alsatian vineyards below, cruise alongside Lorraine canals through peaceful countryside, or string together a series of Vosges passes before sweeping down toward the Rhine plain and Germany just across the border. With ten departments each boasting their own distinct personality, Grand Est is perfectly set up for a multi-day grand tour, especially when combined with neighbouring regions. To plan your stopovers, Bivo makes it easy to find motorcycle-friendly accommodation with secure bike parking, so you can make the most of everything the region's roads and landscapes have to offer.
The departments of Grand Est for your next motorcycle ride
The departments of Grand Est for your next motorcycle road trip
Ardennes
A department of dense forests and sweeping Meuse river bends, often overlooked on the classic touring circuit. The Quatre Fils Aymon loop around Monthermé, the roads through the Ardenne forest and the deep valleys between Charleville-Mézières and the Belgian border are full of great discoveries. A low-key, off-the-beaten-track territory — ideal for riding with the road all to yourself.
Aube
Straddling the chalky and humid Champagne zones, Aube is a department of wide open plains and quiet roads. Troyes, with its medieval alleyways, makes for a pleasant stopover. The Forêt d'Orient regional nature park and the Der lakes bring unexpected atmosphere to an otherwise largely open landscape. More of a transitional department than a destination in its own right.
Marne
The heart of Champagne wine country. The roads between Épernay, Reims and the Montagne de Reims roll through endless vineyard scenery, with pretty villages and the cellars of prestigious houses as a constant backdrop. The roads are wide and smooth, traffic is light outside the tourist season. A must-do stop for combining great riding with serious heritage.
Haute-Marne
A quiet, rural department crossed by the Marne valley and its tributaries. The forests of Châtillon and Darney, the bocage roads between Langres and Chaumont and the landscapes of the nearby Burgundy hinterland make for a relaxed and unhurried ride. Langres, a fortified town perched on its rocky spur, is well worth a stop.
Meurthe-et-Moselle
Nancy, with its UNESCO-listed Place Stanislas, is the natural gateway to the department. The roads along the Moselle, through the Saintois and across the Toul hillsides offer pleasant vineyard and bocage scenery. The department works best as a logistical base for heading south into the Vosges or north toward the Moselle and Luxembourg.
Meuse
A department shaped by history, with the Verdun battlefields as a constant backdrop. The Meuse roads are peaceful and green, winding through forests, ponds and unspoilt villages. The Meuse hillside vineyards, Lac de Madine and the Argonne roads offer miles of quiet riding well away from the main routes.
Moselle
Moselle is a department of contrasts, from the industrial basin around Thionville and Metz to the deep rural roads of inland Lorraine. Metz and its cathedral are well worth a detour. The roads along the Moselle valley, through the Sarrebourg area and up toward the Vosges mosellanes offer some great escapes. A department that often serves as the gateway into Alsace and Germany.
Bas-Rhin
The Alsace Wine Route starts here, and it's one of the most iconic rides in all of Grand Est. Between Strasbourg and Colmar, the foothills roads hug the vineyards with the Vosges rising behind them. The Donon, Schlucht and Champ du Feu passes give access to the Vosges crests from the Alsatian side. Strasbourg is an ideal logistical hub for heading off in any direction.
Haut-Rhin
The southern part of Alsace packs in some of the region's finest riding. The Wine Route continues down to Mulhouse, the Vosges passes are just minutes from the plain, and the Swiss and German borders open up some great cross-border loop options. Colmar, with its medieval old town, is one of the most beautiful stopover towns in all of Grand Est.
Vosges
The most rewarding department in Grand Est for motorcyclists. The Vosges serve up a succession of passes, forest roads and wooded ridges that are reminiscent in places of the Belgian Ardennes or the Jura. The Col de la Schlucht, the Ballon d'Alsace, the Ballon des Vosges and the Route des Crêtes are all unmissable. The Moselle, Vologne and Meurthe valleys complete a varied and uncrowded playground, especially outside summer.