In the forests around Dreux, approximately 70 kilometers from Paris, the adventure starts on the 10th of June 2023. The grounds around a beautiful French château have been transformed into Ténéré Town. After your arrival you can pitch your tent in the garden and get into the travel mood immediately. 200 Ténéré riders will arrive throughout the day. Get to know the other riders in a relaxed atmosphere and share your passion for motorcycle adventures.

Today’s program starts with a diner together, followed by an opening word of the organization and a briefing about the Ténéré Experience day of tomorrow. 

You will be challenged and inspired by the instructors of Yamaha Motor on a 33 hectares large off road playground consisting of countless tracks and trails. Today will be a mix of masterclasses, clinics, workshops and ride outs to ultimately prepare for the journey ahead. 

The lunch together is a welcome break to let the morning program sink in and charge up for the rest of the day’s program. There will be several off road courses for different skill levels and ride outs to put into practice the skills you just sharpened and learned. You can test your navigation setup and you will have the opportunity to get some final advice before the real adventure starts. 

With warmed up muscles and improved skills, the journey through France, Andorra and Spain can start. During this first stage you will be tested right away as a long distance traveler. Today’s route is the longest of all stages, in order to get out of the fields and into the mountains. Long straight roads alternate unpaved paths between the vast meadows towards one of today’s highlights. A 500 year old castle called Château de Chambord, the largest castle in the Loire Valley. After several river crossing the route finally leads to the charismatic scenery of the Auvergne where Ténéré Town awaits you.

Nowhere else in the world can you find so many extinct volcanoes as in the Massif Central. While you ride through the lush green fairytale landscape, it’s hard to imagine this was a wasteland of lava spewing volcanoes ages ago. The region has always been difficult to access and therefore remained undiscovered for many. Ideal terrain for adventurous motorcyclists!

While you ride through the rugged terrain, you’ll be amazed by the quaint medieval villages with ancient churches and castles in this once inhospitable part of France. At 1,589 meters, the Pas de Peyrol is the highest thoroughfare of the Massif Central and at the same time the literal highlight of the day.

It feels like time has stood still on the granite plateaus covered with a high-altitude steppe-like landscape where Aubrac cows graze between the picturesque dry stone walls. Enjoy the panoramic views of the wild open spaces if you can lift your eye from the demanding tracks and trails. Out of the blue the Gorge du Tarn appears. From an 800 meter high plateau the views over the swirling river are breathtaking. Just like the Tarn River you will meander further south. Down the valley below you can observe the Millau Bridge megastructure, Europe’s highest bridge. You’ll probably be happy to realize you’re not in the ratrace on the highway above at the moment. Instead, you’re on this daring adventure. 

This region is dotted with countless traces of the Cathars who used to live here in the Middle Ages. A lot of the landmarks they left behind are still intact, some have fallen into ruins. Today’s route goes through rough terrain which provides challenging roads to ride. Even rivers have a hard time to find their ways through in this area, hence the Agly River crafted the spectacular Galamus Gorges. Through tunnels and past overhanging rocks, you can traverse this narrow corridor until you see the mountains of The Pyrenees looming in the distance. The ride across dirt, sand, gravel and rocky terrain makes the Ténéré wag its tail, this is what it was made for!

Rinse the sand off your teeth with a cold drink in Ténéré Town after today’s spectacular stage.

What used to be a notorious smuggling trail leads you deep into the heart of the mountain range that form the border between France and Spain. Ride across traditional Catalan villages, cascading waterfalls, wild horses and crystal-clear lakes up the mountain slopes. Far above the tree line you will cross into the principality of Andorra. Isolated between the snow-capped mountains, known to be the paradise of The Pyrenees. 

The high mountain passes make today’s stage the literal highlight of the week. After the last couple of switchbacks you will make it across the finish line. You’ve made it! You are a Ténéré Travel Trophy finisher! Time to celebrate this accomplishment with champagne, live music and the best of Spanish cuisine. 

Exhausted but satisfied! One last time you will enjoy breakfast together with all participants of the Ténéré Travel Trophy 2023 while looking back on an unforgettable week.

Paths will split here. What will be next for you? Continue the journey through The Pyrenees, ride to the Mediterranean Sea to relax and recover at the beach or board a vessel in Barcelona that carries you further to Morocco. It’s all up to you.

Would you rather go straight home? With the luxury of the Dealer Package you will board on a comfortable touringcar back to Belgium or The Netherlands while your motorcycle is being transported back to your local Yamaha dealer.