Gravel France
French Alps gravel traverse - south
From Briançon to the Mediterranean sea, all the gravel bike magic of the southern French AlpsRef CG3B
From Briançon to Menton, the mountains of the Southern Alps have a lot to tell us! And so do the rivers that run alongside them. The Durance, Ubaye, Tinée and Vésubie, four rivers that will pace our journey southwards. Above us, the changing panoramas of the peaks of the Ecrins, Haute Ubaye and Mercantour create that feeling of variety that is so typical of touring, like so many milestones on what is sure to be a grandiose journey. Small, confidential 'Gravel' passes, such as the Col du Parpaillon, far removed from the traffic of their larger road brothers, give us the delightful impression of being alone in the world. In the heart of the pudgy peaks of the hinterland, at the turn of a bend or a pass, the azure blue expanse of the Mediterranean is finally revealed. Calm, peaceful, timeless. Like the mountains, which we leave with regret. A majestic journey, without a doubt.
Highlights
- The start at the foot of the Ecrins and Queyras mountains
- The legendary Col du Parpaillon (2637 m)!
- Passing under the summit of La Bonette, at over 2400 m
- The crystal-clear waters of the Tinée and Vésubie valleys
Description
Comments
- This Gravel tour is the southern part of the Grande Traversée des Alpes.
State of mind for this trip
If you’ve already ridden the Alps on a road bike, you’ll no doubt have some superb memories of the great Alpine passes, stunning landscapes and breath-taking panoramic views. You’ll no doubt also remember that some of the classic roads and cols, especially on the Route des Grandes Alpes, can be very busy, sometimes tarnishing the cycling experience. With the advent of gravel bikes (see the “useful information” tab), it’s become possible to get away from the traffic and the main routes in order to enjoy a more authentic and pure cycling experience. The Alps are full of small secondary roads, 4x4 tracks and old military tracks, where peace and quiet still reign. This tour uses as much of the latter as possible, especially to cross the mountain passes.
The gradients on this circuit can exceed 15 % from time to time. Therefore, a gravel orientated gearing is more suitable (either a 30/46 or 28/44 chainset, coupled with an 11/32 cassette, or a single 42 chainring and a 10/42 cassette). We also recommend a minimum tire width of 38mm, as the terrain can get a bit technical in places (gullies on the tracks and ford crossings...)
Physical levels
Some of our Gravel tours offer various levels of difficulty, from 1 to 3. When variants are available, details (distance and altitude gain) can be viewed in the day by day details of the “programme” tab.
In the case of tours with variants, regardless of the level you choose, accommodation is always in the same destination (except some rare exceptions, clearly stated in the description). This allows you to choose the most suitable level on a day-to-day basis.
See photos and videos of this trip
Make sure to check our France Bike Trips media gallery in order to get a feel for this trip and this destination.
After your trip with us, you also have the opportunity to create your own album with your impressions. We would be happy to do the work for you - all you have to do is send us your photos.
Don't miss new albums in our online gallery with our email notifications! As soon as a new photo or video album is published, you will receive a short e-mail from us. To subscribe, click on "Be notified of new albums" in the media gallery.
Dates and price
Dates
| From 13/09/2026 to 18/09/2026 | 6 days | 1155 € | Available |
Costs and services
The price includes:
- Trip leader in support vehicle
- 5 nights accommodation in 2* hotels (x6) and 3* hotels (x1) in double/twin rooms with en-suite facilities
- 5 breakfasts
- 6 picnic lunches
- 5 dinners (3 to 4 course menu)
- Daily baggage transfers
- Carefully designed itineraries on 2 levels of difficulty
- Our navigation app for smartphones, a detailed road book including maps (digital format) and GPS tracks
What is not included:
- International flights
- Your transfer to the meeting place
- Bike rental
- All services mentioned in extensions
- Insurance, assistance
- Drinks at the accommodation
- Visits to museums, monuments and sites
- Additional travel related to changes in the programme due to bad weather
- All personal expenses
- Everything not mentioned under “the price includes".
Supplementary services
(prices per person):
| Single room accommodation (5 nights) | 240 € /  |
| Transfer Menton - Briançon at the end of the trip | 55 € / |
Gravel bike rental: see below
Gravel bike rental
Gravel bike models
| Standard gravel Genesis Croix de Fer (steel frame and fork, 700x40 tyres, 46/30 chainrings, 11v cassette in 11/34, mechanical disc brakes) or equivalent (subject to availability) |
225 € / |
| Premium gravel Orbea Terra M30 (carbon frame and fork, 700x38 tyres, 46/30 chainrings, 11v 11/34 cassette, hydraulic disc brakes) or equivalent (subject to availability) |
450 € / |
Choice of pedals (without, flat with footplate, or Shimano SPD).
You will receive your chosen model from the tour leader on the first day of your tour. He will carry out an inventory of the bike with you, as well as a second inventory at the end of the tour.
Bike “consumables" (tyres, tubes, brake pads, cables) are included in the rental price. Only parts and components that are broken due to a crash and/or misuse will be charged. In the event of bike loss or theft, a fixed fee will be charged (2200 € for the Standard model, 3590 € for the Premium and Electric models and 5700 € for the Super light model).
Vélorizons cycling jersey
A cycling jersey to our taste.
A timeless road cycling jersey produced in France, inspired by our team and our road cycling trips. High quality, made in France by a Savoy company and with a feel-good character for long days in the saddle. Offered at a great price.
Features
- High-quality SIRTECH + LYCRA textiles
- 3 pockets, one with a central zip + 1 side pocket
- Full front zip
- Half-high cycling collar
- Short raglan sleeves in Lycra with seamless ends
- Gripper at the hem
Available sizes (EU sizing): XXS bis XL
Cut: Slim fit, unisex
Price: see above
Order and further information by e-Mail or ask our leaders while on tour.
Private groups & custom tours
You are a group of friends, a family, a company or a cycling club and you would like to organise a private cycling tour on the dates of your choice. This option is available for guided and self-guided tours.
- If you are interested in one of the tours presented on our website, we can provide you with a detailed quote based on the number of persons in your group.
- If you are interested in a custom version of one of our tours, with specific requirements (tour duration, accommodation type, vehicle assistance, airport transfers, bike rental, etc.), we can provide you with a detailed quote based on the number of persons in the group and the group's specific requirements.
For more information or to receive a quote, please contact us by phone at +33 458 140 435 or by email at info@france-bike-trips.com.
Travel insurance
It is important to be correctly insured when embarking on a cycling holiday. We recommend checking the details of your travel insurance (if you have one) and, if necessary, subscribing to our contract below. Please note that France Bike Trips is simply an intermediary between you and the insurance company.
You can choose between these travel insurance contracts while completing your booking form:
- I subscribe to the "comprehensive multi-risk" insurance cover (4.5%), minimum premium of 15 €:
This contract covers assistance, repatriation, lost or stolen luggage, holiday interruption and cancellation. To see the full contract, click here. - I purchase the "cancellation only" insurance cover (2.5%), minimum premium of 10 €:
This policy covers cancellation only. To see the full contract, click here. - I purchase the "repatriation & assistance" insurance cover (1.6%), minimum premium of 10 €:
This policy covers assistance, repatriation, lost or stolen luggage and holiday interruption. To see the full contract, click here.
Recommendation: |
Booking procedure & cancellation policy
How to book
In order to make a booking please fill in the online booking form on the "booking" page of your chosen tour. At the end of the booking process you will be transferred to our bank's secure payment page in order to pay a 30 % deposit.
Last minute booking
All self-guided bookings made within 21 days of tour departure will incur a surcharge of 15 € per person.
Expert advice
- Unsure which tour to book?
- Interested in a custom version of one of our tours?
- Not sure if a particular tour is suitable for your riding style?
A dedicated team of travel specialists is available to offer you expert advice Monday to Friday from 9 am to 6 pm (French time) by phone - +33 458 140 435 or by mail - info@france-bike-trips.com.
Tour confirmation
In order to confirm our guided tours, we need to reach a minimum number of participants (usually 5 persons are necessary). Therefore booking a guided tour does not necessarily mean the tour is confirmed. In the unlikely event that we are unable to confirm your chosen tour, we will offer you the opportunity (no less than 21 days before departure) of switching to another (confirmed) tour, or receiving a full refund.
Self-guided or custom tours: We confirm bookings of self-guided tours and custom tours directly after booking.
In both cases, please await our final booking confirmation before making any travel arrangements.
Balance payment
Tour balance payment must be made no less than 30 days before tour departure. Your travel documents will be sent to you once we have received your balance payment. Road books and maps will be sent to you 3 weeks before departure.
Cancellation
In the event that you are obliged to cancel your tour France Bike Trips will reimburse the entire sum paid for the tour, minus the following cancellation charges:
- More than 60 days before departure: 5 % of the tour price, excluding insurance premium
- Between 60 and 31 days before departure: 15 % of the tour price, excluding insurance premium
- Between 30 and 21 days: 30 % of the tour price, excluding insurance premium
- Between 20 and 14 days: 50 % of the tour price, excluding insurance premium
- Between 13 and 7 days: 70 % of the tour price, excluding insurance premium
- Less than 7 days before departure: 100 % of the tour price, excluding insurance premium
Full details of our sales conditions are available here
The typical daily schedule
During riding you carry only your day pack. All your luggage is transported each day by the support vehicle.
After breakfast, the support vehicle driver will pack your luggage in the van, distribute cereal/energy bars, and announce the time slot for lunch. The driver can also hand out picnics to any participants who do not wish to stop at the designated picnic lunch stop.
Once all the participants have passed the picnic stop, the driver transports your luggage directly to the following nights accommodation, before returning to wait at the foot of the last climb of the day. He is then available to help any members of the group in difficulty or who encounter a mechanical problem. You'll usually meet the van driver several times during the day, offering the opportunity to fill up with water, change clothing, etc.
Each participant is free to ride at his or her own pace, using the road book and GPS route to navigate during the day. However, the driver is equipped with a mobile phone, and can be reached at any time during the day if a particpant encounters a problem. The driver is also available throughout the trip to provide information and advice.
How to get to the meeting point
By plane
Geneva airport: www.gva.ch
Nice airport: www.nice.aeroport.fr
Airport transfers are available on request
By train
SNCF: https://www.sncf-connect.com/en-en/
By car
Route planer: en.mappy.com
Parking: In the event that you arrive by car to the meeting point, you can leave your car at the toll free carpark next to the railway station in Thonon les Bains.
Your navigation
You will receive an email 2 weeks before departure, containing all the information necessary for your upcoming tour, including the following navigation tools:
Our dedicated smartphone app
Follow your route with comfort and ease! Thanks to the Velorizons navigation app, download the full trip itinerary to your smartphone, view route maps and profiles, access the list of booked accommodation, services and useful contacts, and use the integrated route guidance (visual and vocal) for navigation.
►See the mobile app presentation video
To benefit fully from the app navigation system, we strongly recommend attaching your smartphone to the bicycle handlebar using a dedicated mount. An example can be viewed here.
| Operating system | Android | Apple | Windows Phone | Blackberry |
| Compatibility | Version 8.0 minimum | iOS 8.0 minimum. iPhone compatible, iPad compatible if GPS equipped | Non compatible | Non compatible |
A detailed Road Book
Your tour road book will be available to download in your My France Bike Trips customer area. The road book contains:
- Full colour maps with highlighted routes,
- Step-by-step route description,
- Route profiles
GPS tracks
Tour GPS tracks will be available to download in your My France Bike Trips customer area. The tracks are in .gpx format, compatible with all GPS devices/apps.
Accommodation
We favour comfortable accommodation with warm hospitality.
Our standard price is based on 2* and 3* hotels and comfortable guesthouses with double rooms and en-suite facilities.
For private groups and self-guided trips it is possible to customise the accommodation (upgrade) depending on availability.
Food
This trip is fully catered (breakfast, lunch and dinner included). We pay very careful attention to the quality and the variety of your meals. Fresh and local products will be served wherever possible. This trip is also an opportunity to discover the local gastronomy and regional products - l'art de la table!
Please note: If you have any food intolerances, please inform us in the comments field on the booking form.
- Continental breakfasts taken at the accommodation
- Simple cereal/muesli bars and dried fruit are distributed in the morning before the start of the stage. You must bring your own specific energy bars and isodrinks, if desired.
- Hearty dinners (3 to 4 courses, with local dishes)
For lunch, our tour leader will offer you a picnic stop along the route. Our picnics combine a rich salad based on carbohydrates and fresh vegetables with cold meats and cheese, fresh fruit and bread (wherever possible from local producers) as well as sweet and savoury snacks. If you do not want to stop for lunch, we can offer the following options:
- Our tour leader provides you with a picnic to carry along in a small backpack or a handlebar bag. It contains an individual salad (carbohydrate and vegetable based salad), cold meats, cheese and fruits
- "Racing food" for weight weenies and those "allergic" to backpacks: energy bars, dried fruit
- Feel free to stop and eat when and where you want (restaurant, bakery, grocery store...)
Health
We strongly recommend having a medical check-up before your holiday.
Our / Your state of mind
- A "group" tour: If you join a guided tour, you will be part of a group for several days. This is a superb opportunity to meet new people and share some magical moments. However, a group tour requires that each person show friendliness, openness and mutual respect for their fellow travellers.
- An "adventure" tour: despite the most careful preparation, adventure tours can present unforeseen events. Accepting these risks will help you enjoy your trip to the full, in the knowledge that your guide, our local partners and the entire France Bike Trips team will offer you the most suitable solutions to any given situation.
Bike and plane / train
If you decide to bring your own bike, be aware that transporting a bike by plane or train is no longer an issue. However a few simple guidelines help to optimise the transport and avoid potential damages that could occur.
Your bike must be transported in a designated bike bag (standard size 120x90cm). This maximal size allows you to travel with your bike as "hand luggage" in any high-speed trains.
It is very important that you protect your bike in the bag. After having deflated the tires, removed the wheels (by removing the quick release mechanisms), pedals and rear derailleur (which is left hanging on the chain), we recommend you wrap your bike inside the bag in a sheet of dense foam (thickness of 3 to 5 cm). A piece of cardboard or rigid plastic positioned between the foam and the inside of the cover can be beneficial to provide more rigidity.
Once folded up the bike bag will take up very little space and will be transported by the assistance vehicle during your tour.
Bike bags are available directly from France Bike Trips at a cost of 70 euros, plus postage.
Your equipment
Personal equipment to bring:
Luggage
All your luggage must be distributed in two bags: a backpack and a travel bag:
1/ Backpack (or saddlebag)
This is the bag or saddlebag (saddle or handelbar) you use every day while cycling, if you choose to take a picnic lunch (see paragraph "Food"). This bag should not be too large (up to 20 litres).
It will contain: a picnic for lunch, snack food, camera, waterproof and extra clothing and sunglasses, ...
2/ Travel bag
This is the bag that will be transported from one accommodation to the next by vehicle. It will contain all the belongings you will not use during the day. You will find it at the accommodation in the evening (or sometimes for lunch).
List of equipment to pack:
For your head
- A cap or other head protection against the sun
- A hat or sweat band
- A bike helmet
For your upper body
- Two cycling jerseys or technical t-shirts (made of synthetic or natural breathable fabrics)
- A warm shirt or sweatshirt
- A fleece
- A waterproof jacket
For your legs
- Two good quality cycling shorts with chamois (avoid triathlon shorts)
- A pair of warm cycling tights or leg warmers
- Trousers
- Casual short
For your feet
- A pair of biking shoes (we recommend mtb shoes in which you can walk or hike-a-bike short steeper sections)
- A pair of shoes suitable for the evening
- Sandals (not compulsory, but nice for warm evenings...)
- Sport socks.
For your gavel bike
- A gear ratio suitable for gravel and steep climbs (2-speed subcompact front, e.g. 30/46 or 28/44 and a 11/34 cassette or 1-speed, e.g. 42 chainring and an 11/42 cassette). We warmly recommend a gear ratio of less than 1 between small chainring and large sprocket. If in doubt, consult your local bike shop.
- Gravel tyres with a minimum width of 40 mm (unless otherwise stated in the tour description): The volume is decisive, a more aggressive profile on the flanks and rear tyre is desirable on loose ground (e.g. model WTB Riddler or Schwalbe G-One).
- 2 spare tubes and if possible a spare tire
- Puncture repair kit
- Spare brake pads (except if you start with new pads)
- A rear derailleur cable
- Chain lube
- A pump
- A multitool
Other
- A pair of bike specific gloves
- A bike lock
- A headlamp with batteries
- A pair of spare laces
- A toiletry kit and towel
- A swimsuit
- 2 bike bottles 75 cl (or camelbak)
- A pocket knife
- A few plastic bags to protect your belonging
- A needle and thread
- A small individual pharmacy: sunscreen (face and lips); band aids + double skin (Compeed); Immodium; pain killers, earplugs, other personal medication.
Average tour rating:
Compared to the northern part of the Alps, the V3 routes on this tour require more daylight to complete—they are more like additional climbs rather than different approaches. We also had a bigger group this time. Since our Frenchman from NYC, Andre, didn't make it, we didn’t have anyone to bridge the gap between us and the other French riders. It felt like two separate groups instead of one."
