Bert Loorbach, the author, is an avid motorcyclist himself and lived in France for a year and a half. During that time, he dedicated himself to mapping France's lesser-known and beautiful back roads specifically for motorcyclists.
Review

This is the sixth route in the Motortourgids (Motorcycle Touring Guide), and it crosses five departments, avoiding larger towns. It takes us from the Vosges to the Jura and the foothills of the Alps, starting in Bains-Les-Bains. Hotels and campsites are located nearby, and these are listed as points of interest. It's a long route with many attractions, so it's an option to ride it in two days.

You'll drive along the D164 to Luxeuil-Le-Bains. This spa town is covered in deciduous forest and boasts a beautiful architectural heritage, including numerous 15th- and 16th-century mansions: the Spanish House, the Bailli House, Cardinal Jouffroy's House and its late-Gothic balcony, the oldest hanging stone balcony in France; the arched house of the clergyman Francis I; the octagonal Tower of the Aldermen; the archaeological museum; and much more, all well worth planning a sightseeing stop.

From Luxeuil-Les-Bains, the journey continues along the D74 to Lure, a road that passes through the region of a thousand small lakes. From Lure, continue on the D486 to Villersexel, where you can stop to stretch your legs. The Château de Villersexel is well worth a visit.

After Villersexel, continue via the D9 and D50 to Baumes-Les-Dames, situated in a wider section of the Doubs Valley. The road is wonderfully relaxing, with occasional beautiful views. There's a chance to stop for lunch in Baumes-Les-Dames.

You'll drive via the Grotte de La Glacière, a prehistoric cave with eternal ice, to Ouhans to see the source of the Loue River. We'll drive along narrow, winding roads to a parking lot. From here, it's about a 30-minute walk, but the spectacular sight of the river being "born" from the rocks is definitely worth it.

From Ouhans, we drive to Ornans. Nicknamed the Little Venice of the Comté, the town of Ornans offers plenty of charm with its beautiful old houses on stilts reflected in the waters of the Loue River. This charming, picturesque setting can be admired from the Grand Pont and the pedestrian bridge that span the river. You can split the route into two days with an overnight stay in Ornans.

The Courbet Museum, located in the birthplace of painter Gustave Courbet and exhibiting numerous works by this famous artist, is well worth a visit for art enthusiasts.

We drive along the scenic D101 to Scey-en-Varais, where the ruins of St. Denis Castle stand on the hill. The winding D9 and D492 roads take us back to Salins-les-Bains, from where we follow the D467 to Lac de Chalain, where you can stop to enjoy the view of the beautiful lake.

The next town is Doucier, where there are many rivers, lakes, and waterfalls nearby. You can visit the most beautiful waterfall, the "Cascades de l'Herisson," which takes you about 8 kilometers off the route. It's definitely worth it.

Via Pont-de-Poitte and the Vouglans reservoir, you reach the end point of the tour, Montreal La Cluse, where you can stay overnight at campsites or hotels around the Lac de Nantua.