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tour provence 1st - 6th october 2023 |
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GREAT ROADS, FINE COMPANY AND GOOD EATING |
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This is a small first come first served affair, open to anyone with a classic BMW. Please no requests for modern cars! It's an informal event whose sole focus is to bring like minded BMW enthusiasts together for a cracking week of laughs, thrills and hopefully no spills on brilliant roads surrounded by jaw dropping scenery. In between we'll eat rather well and laugh a lot. Suitable for all styles of driving, just ensure your brakes and cooling are up to the task.
MEALS AND ROUTES ARE FROM 2021 AND WILL BE REVIEWED THIS SUMMER, NEW ROUTES ADDED AND MAY BE SOME MEALS CHANGED TO KEEP THINGS FRESH:-)
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SUNDAY 1 OCT. WELCOME TO THE SOUTH OF FRANCE
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Arrive at your leisure, but in time for an evening meal.
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If you're coming from the UK or northern Europe we recommend you use the excellent autoroutes and get near to Grenoble as quick as you can. From here you can enjoy the full length of the Route Napoleon - which is everything it's cracked up to be. Stunning views, fast A road for the most part, and in autumn it won't be full of caravans. Just be aware of the well marked speed cameras (not too many) and occasional gendarme on the approach to larger towns. |
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EVENING MEAL AT LE FOULON
Confit canard (grilled duck leg) or a stuffed red pepper for the veggies, green beans and roast potatoes.
Creme brûlée. |
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| Click on the map for a direct link to the original on google maps |
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The first tour is an easy 72kms with a pic-nic on top of the World. This gives you a lay-in and a later breakfast, before heading off around 11am. Just the kind of laid back day you need after the drive down to the South of France. However, just because it's a little shorter on length doesn't make it lacking in excitement, views and great roads.
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.After a drive through the Gorge of the Wolf, along the high road to Grasse (perfume capital of the World) with a view down to the Cote d'Azur, we head back up until the hills for a pic nic at the Cerga Observatory with a view to Cannes and back up to the mountain overlooking Le Foulon. Bring a camp chair and enjoy a cup of hot home-made soup with crusty bread and a slice of cake (lunch cost is included). |
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EVENING MEAL AT LE FOULON
Daube de boeuf (beef stew) with polenta. Aubergine gratin veggie option.
Tarte tatin. |
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| Click on the map for a direct link to the original on google maps |
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| Lachens - Cannes and the Illes des Lerins in the distance |
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TUESDAY 3 OCT- 193 kms
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Lunch is to be decided, and if popular opinion prefers last years slightly longer route up the impressive Col des Champs then we might do that instead. Stay tuned.
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| The map link also curently shows a road closure between fugeret and thorame - this should be open come October. The roads down here took a real hammering last November with monthly rainfalls in 24 hours, but the French are amazing at getting them back to tip top condition. |
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EVENING MEAL AT LE FOULON
Souris d’agneau (slow cooked shank of lamb). Or vegetarian Pea and mint risotto.
Artisanal ice cream. |
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| Click on the map for a direct link to the original on google maps |
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Col des Champs |
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WEDNESDAY 4 OCT - REST AND RELAXATION |
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Day of leisure. Enjoy the heated pool, take a walk, stretch the legs, or pop down the Cote d'Azur. Alternatively you might need to take advantage of our workshop and 2 post lift. Only breakfast is served today, giving you an opportunity to enjoy some local cuisine. There will be an opportunity to eat together in a local restaurant both at lunchtime and in the evening, but it's entirely optional. Please let us know if you would like a restaurant booked for lunch or dinner.
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THURSDAY 5 OCT - CANYON DU VERDON 206kms
click here for 2019 photo gallery |
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Canyon du Verdon, south side, with a trip thourgh the countryside of Provence. 9.30 start for a full day exploring Europe's deepest canyon. The Verdon is a world heritage site and for good reason - a day to ensure the camera is fully charged and we'll indicate on the route planner the best spots to stop and take in the scenery. Lunch TBA, budget 20€ per person.
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EVENING MEAL AT LE FOULON
Pâtes trofiette pesto with grilled aubergine and bacon (optional) – speciality pasta from Liguria.
Blueberry tart. |
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| Click on the map for a direct link to the original on google maps |
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| Castillion lake, at the end of the canyon du verdon, for lunch |
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We've been trying to do this route for the last 2 tours - but the jigh mountain road and the gorges de cians has been closed in october for repairs. Fingers crossed 2023 will be the year!
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EVENING MEAL AT LE FOULON
Veal printemps, camargue rice (veal stew). Vegetarian – moroccan chickpeas, spinach and sweet potatoes.
Pear and chocolate tart. |
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| Click on the map for a direct link to the original on google maps |
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SATURDAY 7 OCT - AU REVOIR |
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Breakfast and a bientot...
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PRICING |
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We have 13 rooms, some are only doubles, some are twins. The price includes a set 2 course meal with half a litre of local wine/couple of beers or soft drinks, for 5 nights. On the Wednesday rest day we can either eat as a group at one of the great local restaurants or you can do your own thing. |
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Price includes breakfast, but not lunch (except for the pic-nic lunch on Monday). We will be making scheduled stops for lunch as a group, but everyone will pay individually for whatever they choose, budget around 20€ per lunch. I will endeavour to negotiate the best value possible for a set lunch at each place and will update this page accordingly (but asking a restaurant 9 months in advance is impossible down here!) All prices are per person and based on 2 sharing a room. |
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You are welcome to bring any other drink as there is no bar service beyond the drinks provided with dinner.There's plenty of fridge space and an ice machine running 24/7. |
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Cheiron Suite |
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| €539 per person. King size double.The unique feature to this suite, complete with a mezzanine sleeping area reached by cast spiral stairs, is waking up to Mount Cheiron glowing orange with the rise of the morning sun. More |
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Strauss Suite |
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| €539 per person. King size double. Probably the most traditional
of our 3 suites, the Strauss nonetheless incorporates
more modern ideas like a huge shower with two heads as
well as an antique roll top bath. More |
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Wolf Suite - BOOKED |
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| €539 per person. King size double. The Wolf Suite has a double
aspect with incredible views south to the Courmettes
peak, and West through a metre wide round window on its
mezzanine level. More |
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Fablo Luxury Room - BOOKED |
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| €509 per person. King size double. Named after a former Spanish owner we're sure Fablo would have felt at home with the original tommette provencal tile floor, antique furniture and the huge rococo style mahogany bed. More |
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Gertrude Luxury Room - BOOKED |
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| €509 per person. King size double. Named after a former New York owner, Gertrude is South facing, with large double windows providing maximum light and making the most of the panorama down the valley of the wolf. More |
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Alexi Garden Room - BOOKED |
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| €469 per person. King size double OR 2 singles. On the ground floor the Alexi
benefits from it's own decked terrace area and direct access
to the garden. The clever wrought iron superking bed can
be split into 2 singles. More |
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Almairac Garden Room |
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| €469 per person. King size double OR 2 singles. On the ground floor the Almairac
benefits from it's own decked terrace area and direct access
to the garden. The clever wrought iron superking bed can
be split into 2 singles. More |
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Jacob Room |
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| €469 per person. King size double OR 2 singles. On the first floor the fully
carpeted Jacob room is a good size with lovely views and
a brand new bathroom for 2008 including a modern roll-top
bath. Can be used as a superking double or 2 twins. More |
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Soubrier Room - BOOKED |
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| €469 per person. King size double OR 2 singles. Monsieur Soubrier was a former
hotelier at Le Foulon and gives his name to the best value
room in the house. The same great views and comfort, only
a little smaller. More |
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The 4 Maurel Rooms - 2 of 4 BOOKED |
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| €397 per person. Standard double OR 2 singles.These smaller rooms may not be quite so grand, but they have wonderful views, comfortable beds and have the same peace and tranquility as all Le Foulon. More |
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Please make sure you get proper European breakdown cover. I will endeavour to make sure everyone makes it back to base every day, and if we can't fix these cars between us on the road side then we can even tow you back to base and my workshop. |
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PAYMENT |
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To confirm a booking we require a credit card over the phone and a 30 percent deposit. The remaining 75 percent will be required 6 weeks prior to arrival. A tiny taxe de sejour for our local village will be applied to your booking - confirmation o the amount will be in the contract. Cancellations will receive a full repayment only if someone else is able to attend. Any extra drinks and services whilst here can be paid for on departure. |
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