Off-Road Training in France: Level 1, 3 Days

For riders who already ride regularly on the street, are in good shape, and want to learn off-road riding or improve after a few outings on dirt roads. It teaches riding off pavement; it is not a street-riding refresher. The group is limited to 8 participants, led by an English-speaking instructor and guide certified by the French Motorcycling Federation.

The one-day course stays on private land. The 2-day course adds one ride. This one adds two, about 174 miles of dirt roads and back roads after the day on the training ground: it is the format that gives you the most time to make the moves second nature. Level 2 comes next, once you have done a first course.

Day 1, a briefing and then a private 4x4 ground in the Beaujolais: obstacle crossings, side slopes, slow riding, braking and exercises matched to your level. Day 2, about 99 miles through the wine villages and over the hills on forest dirt roads. Day 3, about 75 miles of hills, flowing dirt roads and small roads of the Rhône. You spend two nights in a hotel.

That is one of the reasons it exists: two riding days in a row put you in real touring conditions, on dirt roads and back roads. Some of our tours ask for previous off-road experience, for example From the Atlas to the Sahara Dunes or Upper Mustang. Your travel advisor will tell you whether this course is enough for the tour you have in mind.

A recent Royal Enfield Himalayan 411, an adventure bike built for both pavement and dirt. You need a motorcycle license and regular street riding. Unsure whether the bike suits your height? Ask your travel advisor before booking. For passport rules and driving in France, see the State Department’s France page.

Yes, with two riders with a passenger at most per course. With the rider’s agreement, the passenger first rides behind the instructor to learn the right moves, then helps their rider correct theirs during the rides. For the passenger price, ask your travel advisor.

$1,190 per rider. The price includes the motorcycle, gas, third-party motorcycle insurance, the instructor and guide, two nights in a standard hotel, lunch on day 1, dinner on days 1 and 2 and breakfast on days 2 and 3. You pay for lunch on days 2 and 3, your riding gear, travel, insurance covering medical expenses abroad, a $708 deposit per motorcycle and, on your first booking with us, a $41 registration fee.

Yes, nothing is lent and full gear is mandatory: an approved full-face helmet, high boots, reinforced gloves, a jacket with back protection and pants with knee protection. Add rain gear and a water bottle or hydration pack for the rides; nets hold your backpack on the seat. The details are in our help center.

At 8:30 a.m. at Sain-Bel train station (69210), west of Lyon, which you can reach by train from Lyon; the nearest airport is Lyon Saint-Exupéry. The night before the course is not included. Traveling solo, you share a twin room, or take a single room for $149. There is no support vehicle: if needed, the instructor calls the emergency services.

The season runs from March to November. No dates are online right now: your travel advisor will give you the next planned dates and remaining spots, and other dates are possible on request. How the dirt roads ride depends on the weather in the days before, hence the rain gear.