Five days of real enduro. One basecamp. Everything handled.
Ride one of the last corners of Western Europe where enduro is still free — then recover like an athlete. Real beds, a pro recovery spa, proper French food. Not a tent in sight.
The Basecamp Week · Massif Central, France
One basecamp in the Massif Central. Five days of riding. Zero logistics.
You arrive the evening before, settle into our lakeside basecamp in the Bois Noirs, and ride out every day on fresh terrain. Five straight days on the bike — with a mid-week afternoon off for the recovery spa (usually Wednesday) — then leave the day after. Bikes, fuel, every meal, guiding, beds: all handled. The only decision you make is the date.
The Basecamp Week is an all-inclusive enduro week in France: five days of guided off-road riding from a single lakeside basecamp in the Bois Noirs, Massif Central. Your latest-generation Beta enduro bike, fuel, all meals, English-speaking guides, real beds and a recovery spa are included — one price, zero logistics. Weeks run from April to November, for every level from first-timers to hard enduro riders. If you've been looking for a guided motorcycle holiday in France that's built around real riding, this is it.
Where you'll sleep — and who with
A real bed. A hot shower. Your own space if you want it.
No tents, no bunkrooms-by-default, no "roughing it". You sleep in real rooms and chalets a short walk from the spa and restaurants. Pick the level of privacy that suits you — couples included.
Shared twin room
One single bed per rider, comfortable shared room. The default — and plenty for most riders.
Your own room
Your own space to recover, charge, and sleep properly between riding days.
Private chalet
Free when you bring a non-riding partner.
Your own fully-equipped chalet. The move if you're travelling as a couple.
While some "premium" tours still put you in a tent, here you get a real bed, a hot shower and a spa at the end of every day. That's the point.
Is it your level?
Yes — from first proper off-road week to hard enduro.
We ride in small level groups, so you're always with people at your pace — never chasing someone faster, never waiting on someone slower. When levels mix, we add guides and split the groups.
- ✓ A flowing group — scenery, rhythm, confidence-building singletrack. Perfect for your first real enduro week.
- ✓ A faster / technical group — for experienced riders who want to push, up to proper hard enduro lines.
- ✓ Honest placement: send us 3 short clips of you riding and we'll place you in the right group — straight answer, no upselling.
Book solo, come as a couple, or bring your whole crew — groups of 12+ are welcome. We add guides and run separate level groups, so big groups ride better here, not worse.
What if it rains?
Granite ground. It grips when other regions turn to clay.
This is volcanic and granite country. Instead of deep sticky mud, you usually get a firm, gritty surface that stays surprisingly grippy in the wet — and the bikes don't get trashed.
"Even when we had some rain it wasn't bad at all, as it's very granite based soil so still plenty of traction."
If the weather really turns, we adapt: drop altitude, switch to faster tracks, or shorten the day. Support vans are never far.
Getting here is easy
Fly in, get picked up, stop organising anything.
Lyon (LYS)
Major international hub, ~90 min to basecamp. The smoothest long-haul option. Geneva (GVA) works too.
Clermont-Ferrand (CFE)
Closest airport — about 35 min away. Great for European connections.
Optional transfer
Add airport pickup and we handle the door-to-basecamp leg. Once you land, you're done planning.
Why five days, not a long weekend?
Because the week has an arc — and your best riding lands on Day 5.
Three days is barely a warm-up. Five days lets us calibrate, build, reset mid-week, and finish on the best terrain when you're riding your best. The mid-week spa afternoon is what makes the back half of the week even stronger.
Arrive & settle in
Check into your room or chalet, bike setup, gear check, first dinner in the village. Nothing to organise.
Calibration
Bois Noirs singletrack — soft forest floor, granite grip. We read the groups and set the pace.
Building
Bigger terrain, more variety, longer lines. You settle into the bike and the rhythm.
Ride morning → spa afternoon
A strong morning, then the afternoon is yours: sauna, jacuzzi, cryo, hydromassage. You reset. This is why Day 4–5 hit harder. Rather keep riding than spa? We'll take you out.
Stepping up
Fresh legs, more confidence. The terrain opens up and the riding gets properly good.
Best-of
The best terrain of the week, ridden by the best version of you all week. Then leave the next morning.
Broken down per riding day, the week is the best value we offer — and far more than a weekend ever delivers.
Recover like the pros do
A pro-level recovery spa, on site.
Sauna, jacuzzi, cryotherapy, hydromassage, a heated pool, plus masseurs and a physio on request. One spa entry is included, and your mid-week afternoon is built around it.
This isn't a "nice extra". It's why you ride hard five days in a row instead of fading by Thursday. You came to ride — we make sure your body keeps up.
Extra treatments & massages are bookable on site.
What it costs — and why it's the value play in premium enduro
Everything's in. You show up with your riding gear.
In the week
- ✓ Prepped latest-generation Beta (mousses, zero flats) — never more than two seasons old rental incl.
- ✓ 5 guided riding days, small level groups
- ✓ All meals + apéritif & table wine with dinner
- ✓ All bike fuel
- ✓ 1 recovery-spa entry + a mid-week afternoon off
- ✓ Evening bike prep — wake up to a ready bike
- ✓ English-speaking guides who know the terrain
- ✓ Shared room included (upgrade if you want)
Not included: flights, personal insurance, extra spa treatments, extra nights, lunches for non-riding partners.
The founding rate ends as the calendar fills — and it won't come back.
Got your own bike? BYOB from €1,690 — details in the FAQ.
- ✓ You only pay for parts you break — €800 deposit, scratches on us
- ✓ Free changes & full refund 60+ days out
- ✓ Confirmed week = it runs, or 100% back
- ✓ 100% legal riding — certified guides, authorized routes
For context
The Pilgrimage is €3,690 for the 7-day point-to-point challenge. The Basecamp Week gives you 5 guided ride days, real beds and a recovery spa — from €2,590 all-inclusive, bike included. Per riding day, it's the strongest value in premium enduro.
Two trips, two stories
Most riders start here — then come back for the Pilgrimage.
The Basecamp Week
- One fixed basecamp, 5 ride days
- All levels — small level groups, solo riders to crews of 12+
- Recovery spa + real beds + French food
- Easiest to slot into a calendar — runs several weeks a year
- From €2,590 (founding rate)
The French Enduro Pilgrimage
- 7-day point-to-point (5 ride days) across the heart of France
- 700 km, a new landscape every day, bucket-list
- Only 2–3 dates a year, event-anchored
- 12 riders max — the genuinely scarce one
- The big emotional one — when you're ready for it
- €3,690
Bringing someone who doesn't ride?
They get a great week too.
Bring a non-riding partner: the private chalet is free, and their whole week is €890 — their own bed and every dinner with the group. While you ride, they've got the recovery spa, a heated pool, a mountain lake, French villages, knife-making in Thiers and some of the best cheese in the country. Lunches are on them — they'll be out exploring anyway. You both come home happy.
What riders say
Real riders. Public Google reviews. No fluff.
"I've just got off an awesome 5 day ride with these guys and had such a good time… forget the bloody Eiffel Tower — organise a tour with these guys in the absolute heart of French enduro."
"If you have a passion for enduro and riding in some of the sport's finest countryside… this has to be the best riding experience you can have. Not just once in a lifetime, because once is not enough."
Hold your spot
One decision: pick your week.
A deposit holds your seat. We confirm your dates with you and send a clear recap — then you're in.
Pick your week
Small level groups on every date. Book solo or bring your crew — 12+ groups welcome. Popular weeks do fill: if a date works for you, hold it.
Nine Basecamp Weeks run in 2027 — see every date on the calendar →
Pick your room
Shared twin room included · your own room +€290 · private chalet +€590 — free when you bring a non-riding partner (their week is €890: bed and dinners with the group). Bringing your own bike? €1,690 founding rate instead of €2,590.
Pay 30% — we confirm
Your 30% deposit locks your week and your bike. We confirm your dates personally, send a full recap, and the balance is due 60 days before you ride.
Fast reply · English support · Balance due 60 days out.
Can't do a full week? Come for 1–4 days → (the week is still the best value per day.)
Before you book
Questions riders ask
What level do I need?
All levels — genuinely. From your first proper off-road week to hard enduro. We ride in small level groups and add guides when levels mix, so you're always at your pace. Not sure where you fit? Send us 3 short clips of you riding and we'll place you honestly.
What's included in the price?
A prepped latest-generation Beta bike (mousses, zero flats), 5 guided riding days, all meals — breakfast at the basecamp, lunch on the trail, dinner with the group — apéritif and table wine with dinner, all bike fuel, one recovery-spa entry, evening bike prep, English-speaking guides, and a shared room. Not included: flights, personal insurance, extra spa treatments, drinks beyond the apéritif and table wine, extra nights, and lunches for non-riding partners.
Do I need a licence — and is there an age limit?
A valid motorcycle licence is mandatory — our routes link public roads between the trails. Riders from age 16 are welcome with a valid 125 licence, and there's no upper age limit: we adapt the riding to you, not the other way around.
What if I damage the bike?
We check the bike together at the start and the end of the week. You only pay for parts you actually break — normal scratches and wear are on us. The refundable security deposit is €800, and that's the most paperwork you'll see all week.
What if I need to cancel or change my dates?
More than 60 days out: full refund or free date change — your call. Between 30 and 60 days: free transfer to any open week within 12 months. Inside 30 days: no refund or transfer, but your seat is transferable — send a riding mate in your place, free.
Is my week guaranteed to run?
We confirm your week personally within 48 hours of your deposit. Once confirmed, it runs — and in the rare case we ever had to cancel a date, you'd choose between another week or a 100% refund.
What about insurance — and what if I get hurt?
You need your own travel insurance with repatriation cover (mandatory). You're riding in France: if anything happens, you're treated in one of the world's best healthcare systems — and we stay with you, hospital to airport, until you're safely home.
Can I bring my own bike (BYOB)?
Yes — BYOB is €1,690 at the founding rate (then €1,890) instead of €2,590. Same week, same guiding and support; you cover your own fuel and wear. Secure garage on site. That said, most riders take the prepped Beta — mousses, zero flats, evening prep included — and just fly in with their gear.
Where will I sleep — and can my partner come?
Real rooms and chalets near the spa and restaurants. A shared twin room is included; your own room is +€290; a private chalet is +€590 — and free when you bring a non-riding partner. Their week is €890 — bed and dinners with the group (lunches not included) — and they get the spa, pool, lake and local culture while you ride.
Which airport should I fly into?
Lyon (LYS) is the easiest international hub, about 90 minutes away. Clermont-Ferrand (CFE) is closest at ~35 minutes. Geneva also works. Optional airport transfer on request.
What if the weather's bad?
The granite and volcanic ground stays grippy in the wet far better than clay regions. If conditions really turn, we adapt — drop altitude, switch to faster tracks, or shorten the day. Support vans are never far.
Is riding here actually legal?
100%. We ride authorized routes with state-certified professional guides. It's also why this region matters: across Europe, legal terrain shrinks every year, and the Massif Central is one of the last places where enduro is still free. Ride it while the window's open.
Why five days instead of a long weekend?
The week has an arc: we calibrate, build, reset at the mid-week spa, and finish on the best terrain when you're riding your best. Per riding day it's the best value we offer — and a weekend simply can't deliver the same progression.
Can we come as a big group?
Yes — and you should. Groups of 12+ are welcome: we add guides and run separate level groups, and private groups of 5+ get their own dedicated setup. Tell us your crew size and the week you want, and we'll build it around you.
How do I book and how does the deposit work?
Pick your week, pick your room, and pay a 30% deposit to lock your seat and your bike — by card or bank transfer, both secured by Stripe. We confirm your dates personally and send a full recap; the balance is due 60 days before you ride. Many riders book after a quick conversation — just ask.
Ride France properly. Recover like an athlete. Come home grinning.
Five days, one basecamp, everything handled. The only thing you decide is the date.