A motorcycling tour that you just have to go on when in Paris starts at Place de la Bastille. From here, head towards Rue de Rivoli, past Hôtel de Ville to Place du Châtelet. The tour leads you past Pont Notre-Dame and onto the city’s historic island. It’s worth parking up your bike here and admiring Notre Dame cathedral. The tour continues to Pont Neuf bridge, from where you reach the southern bank of the Seine. Follow the road to head to Pont Royale. This bridge takes you directly to the Louvre. Head through the tunnel to get back to Rue de Rivoli and on to Place de la Concorde. If you want, you can go for a lap of honour around the obelisk and then turn off onto the world’s most famous road: the Champs-Élysées! The grand boulevard takes you directly to the Arc de Triomphe. Continue via Avenue da la Grande Armée on to La Défense. In this area of the city traffic runs underground, which is what makes it so appealing. Find one of the underground car parks and enjoy the view from the architectural monument that is the Grande Arche de la Défense to the triumphal arch. What a tour! And you experienced it!

A visit to the Palace of Versailles, one of the most outstanding buildings in Europe, is a cultural experience. Alternatively, when in Paris do as the locals do: head out to Normandy’s coast at the weekends. The journey might be a little longer at around 200 km, but every kilometre covered is a pleasure on a BMW. Must-sees in Normandy include the island of Mont-Saint-Michel monastery and Omaha Beach.