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The French Alps are the portions of the Alps mountain range that stand within France, located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur regions. While some of the ranges of the French Alps are entirely in France, others, such as the Mont Blanc massif, are shared with Switzerland and Italy.
Take on the best know climbs and prepare to cycle the legendary Cols in the French Alps. France is a haven for cyclists all over the world. These are the epic climbs that every avid cyclist will want to climb
All holidays include transfers to and from airports but they are at set times.
If you can’t make the transfer time you can have a private transfer, see below for times and costs to private transfers, but like bike hire is paid at the end of the holiday.
Our French Alps tour was new to 2023 and takes in some of the classic iconic climbs often featured on the Tour de France and really is a trip of lifetime memories. A stunning and very special tour over 7 nights. We collect you from Geneva Airport before heading over to the beautiful starting location of Annecy. A stunning back drop to start this tour.
Over the following days we cycle our way through some of the most beautiful scenery including the iconic climbs of the French Alps. The climbs include Galibier, Telegraphe, Coll de Madeline to name a few; and of course, finishing with the iconic Alpe d’Huez.
Please note as with all our tours Itinerary is examples and will be finalized before the tour starts.
Todays welcome ride is all about getting comfortable on the bike. The route is a very gently loop taking in part of the lake before taking a left up to Col de Bluffy a very gentle climb up past a beautiful chateau before dropping back down to the lake and back to the hotel. After the ride any changes to the bike set up can be made so you are ready to ride the following day.
The mighty Semnoz is a must do climb on the doorstep of Annecy and is the highest climb in the area. We have 2 options to climb Semnoz, the classic way up 17km with an average gradient of 7% or the more civilized way up from the East taking in the Col de Leschaux, whilst this is a longer climb the gradients are much less and more accessible for all abilities. Once we summit the climb we cruise down through some fabulous traditional villages and countryside on smooth meandering roads before picking up the Annecy cycle path back to the hotel to relax.
Distance 63km / Elevation gained 1300m (without Col Du Marais)
A lovely route as we pick up the cycle path and head south along the lake side taking in the stunning views of the lake and warm the legs up before we take a left and start the climb up to Col de la Forclaz. A wonderful climb of 13km reaching a height of 1525m in height which offers some spectacular views of the lake. It has featured in the Tour de France 7 times (last time was 2016) and also it has appeared on the Giro de Italia. It’s a must to tick off. After a sweeping descent we take in an additional 32km look ticking of the lovely Col du Marais a very gentle climb but simple beautiful climb through the valley after descending to the south into the large village of Albertville
We leave Albertville and head south to take on the mighty Col Du Madaline one of the classic climbs. It has featured twenty-four times in the tour de France and its clear to see why; it is simply an epic climb of 26km in distance and 1700m of elevation. We then drop down the other side taking in some spectacular vistas and scenery into the lovely town of Saint Jean de Maurienne. We Stay here for 2 nights so you have a little time to settle in and explore the town.
(Distance 64km/Elevation 2000m without Lacetes de Montvernier)
Mr Retreats old stopping ground he has spent many a time on these Cols and its easy to see why. We set off from Saint Jean De Maurienne in a circular loop along some breath-taking alpine roads. A ride to let your mind wander and enjoy the scenery. At the end of the route for those that have not done enough you can also add in a cheeky little climb of Lacetes de Montvernier with seventeen hairpins crammed into 3.5km climb… Fantastic. There is also an option to miss this out and return back to the hotel.
This is a big day in the saddle where you will tick off two epic and arguable two of the most famous climbs in the area. They regularly feature on the Tour De France and are beautiful climbs. Have your climbing legs ready for this day but what a day full of memories it will be.
What better way to finish off the tour than to climb L’Alp D’Huez. It is a must do climb and one of the most famous climbs of the French Alps.
We head west toward Le Bourg d’Ouisans and head past Lac du Chambon which is a beautiful turquoise lake and great for some photos before we take on the challenge of the day. We turn and head north and onto the climb of the Day L’Alp d’Huez which is 16km with an average 7.8%, it’s a beautiful climb steeped in Tour de France history and really is a wonderful way to round off the week. Once we climb to the top the ride is not over here. We descend over the other side taking some wonderful sweeping descents before heading back to Bourg d’Ouisans for a celebratory drink and evening meal.
Feel free to bring your own bike, but if you don’t want the stress of transporting your pride and joy, we have it covered.
Our hire bikes are all fully carbon with Shimano 105 or Ultegra Di2 group set.
The bikes are not included in the price of the trip.
Bike hire is available at an additional cost, please enquire at the time of booking.
A transfers from the airport is included in your holiday at a designated time. If you can’t make this transfer time and need a private transfer we can help to arrange this for you, please see the costing below
| THE FRENCH ALPS TOUR | |
| Arrival Airport | Geneva |
| Arrival Day | Saturday |
| Arrival Time | 1.00 pm |
| Transfer Time | 50 mins |
| Departure Airport | Geneva |
| Departing Day | Saturday |
| Time Departing Retreat | 9.00 am |
| Transfer Time | 3 hours |
| Private transfer Cost | arrival €130 private arrival. leave €250.00 private transfer after tour |
