ANNECY RETREAT
Annecy Weekender
Email us on info@cycleretreats.com for the next Annecy weekender
Annecy is an alpine town in south-eastern France, where Lake Annecy feeds into the Thieu River. It’s known for its Vieille Ville (old town), with cobbled streets, winding canals and pastel-coloured houses. Overlooking the city, the medieval Château d’Annecy, once home to the Counts of Geneva, contains a museum with regional artefacts such as Alpine furniture and religious art, plus a natural history exhibit.
Annecy is very close to the border with Switzerland and Italy, Annecy is one of the most beautiful cities in France and is often described as the Venice of the Alps. The hotel is located on the outskirts of Annecy a perfect location to take on some of the epic ‘big ticket’ climbs often featured in the Tour de France.
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, but like bike hire is paid at the end of the holiday.
Example Routes
Welcome Ride
- Distance 45km
- Elevation gained 250m
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.
Col De La Forclaz
- Distance 88km
- Elevation gained 1550m
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 a 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 back to Thones we pick up the old rails way line now a dedicated bike route and head back in to Annecy.
Costal Route
- Distance 98km
- Elevation gained 1751m
We start the day rolling south along the lake for a short while before turning left to enjoy some quiet rolling roads through the beautiful rural countryside before heading north to Col de la Crois Fry another climb featured on the Tour De France and takes in some breath taking views up to an elevation of !433m. Once the climb is done we descend through some sweeping alpine roads and villages before heading back to Annecy
Semnoz
- Distance 60km/75km
- Elevation gained 1450m
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.
Col Des Glieres
- Distance 83 km
- Elevation gained 1858m
A super ride heading northeast from Annecy into the rolling countryside where we head out to a beautiful climb steeped in history. The summit of the Col des Glieres was the drop zone for allied forces supporting the Marquis resistance fighters who held of the German advances during WW2. The ride is beautiful and the climb of 14km (average 5.5% gradient) is rewarded with a fabulous café stop at the top before we descend clockwise through some wonderfully quite alpine villages back to Annecy.
Col De la Colombiere
- Distance 86 km
- Elevation gained 1714m
This is an absolute must do ride with the iconic climb of the day Col de la Colombiere which has featured over 20 times on the tour de France and is quite frankly a beautiful alpine climb of 12km averaging 6%. We approach from the south and after we stop at the top for a much-needed lunch we descend back the same way before heading back largely all down hill back to Annecy. A perfect way to end the week with this iconic climb.
Bike Hire
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.
Please note that bikes are not included in the price of the trip.
What’s included:
- Airport transfers at set times
- Exclusive luxury breakfast
- Three course evening meal
- 6-week training programme prior to your holiday
- Guided rides
- Support vehicle on call
- On bike nutrition
- Cycling kit cleaned
- Qualified bike mechanic on site
- Holiday counts towards loyalty bonus
What’s included:
- Airport transfers
- Exclusive luxury breakfast
- Three course evening meal
- 6-week training programme prior to your holiday
- Guided rides
- Support vehicle on call
- On bike nutrition
- Cycling kit cleaned
- Qualified bike mechanic on site
- Holiday counts towards loyalty bonus
What’s the cost of your holiday?
Please note: 2024 is now a long weekender NOT a week as before.
- 1,450 € per person – Standard Room
- 1,650 € per person – Lakeside Room
- 225 € – single supplement
- including IVA (Spanish tax)
Bike hire is available at an additional charge, 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
| ANNECY RETREAT | |
| Arrival Airport | Geneva |
| Arrival Day | Saturday |
| Arrival Time | 1.00 pm |
| Transfer Time | 50 mins |
| Departure Airport | Geneva |
| Departing Day | Saturday |
| Time Departing Retreat | 8.00 am |
| Transfer Time | 50 mins |
| Private transfer Cost | €120 |
