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A dedicated team of travel specialists is available to offer you expert advice Monday to Friday from 9 to 12:30 AM and 13:30 to 6 PM (French time) on the phone, or by email.


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Road bike France

From Lake Geneva to the Côte d'Azur via the Grands Cols of the Tour de FranceRef CR01

En route for the legendary "cols" of the Tour de France! Cross the French Alps from Lake Geneva to the Côte d'Azur on this fantastic eight day tour. From the Northern Alps and the Mont Blanc range right to the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea via some of the most mythical cols in the world of road biking: L'Iseran, Le Galibier, Le Lautaret, L'lzoard and many more... Road biking doesn't get any better than this!

Tour with assistance vehicle: from 1285€ - Details Duration : 8 days | Level : Customer satisfaction : - 17 reviews
+33 458 140 435 A dedicated team of travel specialists is available to offer you expert advice Monday to Friday from 9 to 12:30 AM and 13:30 to 6 PM (French time) on the phone, or by email.
Bookthis tour
In the event that there are official travel or mobility restrictions in France or in your country of origin at the booked tour dates (official travel warning, quarantine upon return, closed borders) which make it impossible for you to undertake the trip, we offer to defer your booking to a later date at no extra charge. If no suitable date can be found, we offer a full reimbursement.
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Physical level :  

  • Your profile:

    You road bike year round, at least once a week on average.

  • Tour profile:

    80 to 110 km per day depending on the route profile.
Physical level :  

  • Your profile:

    You train, have a good level of fitness, and regularly ride over 100 km in a day.

  • Tour profile:

    100 to 150 km per day depending on the route profile.

Highlights

  • A mythical itinerary that follows in the footsteps of the legendary Tour de France!
  • From the Northern to the Southern Alps, from the Mont Blanc to the Mediterranean, taking in a huge variety of alpine landscapes along the way.
  • Fantastic panoramic views of the entire Alps range.
  • Comfortable accommodation ideal for rest and relaxation after long days in the saddle

Description

  • Tour formula:

    Tour with support vehicle

  • Accommodation:

    2* and 3* hotels

  • Luggage transport:

    Included. You carry only your daypack

  • Next departures:

    View dates

Comments

  • Choose between two differents routes each day, with varying distances and profiles, depending on your daily shape, weather and route preferences
  • Route level 2: 710 km and 16,600 m of climbing
  • Route level 3: 950 km and 25,300 m of climbing
  • This road bike tour is the last part of our east-west crossing of the entire Alps, the Alpine Arc Traversee (see the programme tab for more information).
  • Special offers available for private groups. Please contact us for a quote.

Choose each day

Each day you choose between different routes with varying distances and altitude gain (from level 1 to level 3).

Our Alpine Arc Traversee

Cycling across the Alps from East to West

There are projects that every ambitious road cyclist should dare to dream of. The east-west crossing of the Alpine arc from the Adriatic sea to the French Riviera on the Mediterranean coast is definetely one of them. Based on our great experience as an Alpine road cycling tour operator, we have designed a unique route that takes you through the natural heart of Europe`s most famous mountain range: the Alpine Arc Traversee. In total, the route is 2000 km long and offers some 40,000 m of climbing. Given these numbers, we have cut it up in three challenging parts of 6 to 8 cycling days each.

Along the route, you will enjoy countless national and regional Nature parks of varying and outstanding beauty: Triglav, Dolomites, Ortler, the Valais and Bernese Alps, Mont Blanc area, Vanoise, Ecrins and finally the French Maritime Alps. The route is an absolute must-do for "col-baggers" as it takes in the most famous mountain passes of the Alps but also lesser-known ones: Vrsic pass, Tre Cime, passes of the Dolomites and particularly the Sella Ronda, Stelvio, Gavia, Bernina, Maloja, San Bernadino, Gotthard, Furka, Susten, Colombière, Roselend, Iséran, Galibier, Izoard, Vars, Cayolle, Turini... and many many more.

We offer the Alpine Arc Traversee route in 3 separately bookable, fully-catered tours with support vehicle:

  • Part 1 in 7 days (Triglav, Dolomites and Stelvio Traversee), crossing of the Slovene and Italian Alps from the Adriatic to Lake Como, approx. 700 km und 9,000 m in climbing (level 2, level 3 available)
  • Part 2 in 6 days (Swiss Alps Traversee), crossing of the Swiss Alps from Lake Como to Lake Geneva, approx. 650 km und 14,000 m in climbing (level 2 only)
  • Part 3 in 8 days (Route des Grandes Alpes, this trip), crossing of the French Alps from Lake Geneva to Menton, approx. 700 km und 17,000 m in climbing (level 2, level 3 available)

All three parts can also be ridden in a row. The ultimate challenge.

Any questions regarding arrival and departure logistics? Please contact us, we are happy to help.

Detailed itinerary

Day 1: Thonon-les-Bains - La Clusaz 

Itinerary start: Rendezvous with the organisation team is on day 1 at 9 am at Thonon les Bains SNCF railway station. On request we can book the previous night's accommodation for you in Thonon Les Bains. We can also organise a transfer from Geneva or Lyon airport.

Passes of the day: 

  • Col de Jambaz, 1027 m (level 2)
  • Col de Joux Plane, 1712m (level 3)
  • Col de la Colombière, 1613 m

Highlights:

  • A warm up on the quiet mountain roads of the Col de Jambaz (level 2)
  • The beautiful Vallée du Giffre and Val d'Abondance (level 3)
  • The "Portes du Soleil" area of Morzine, Les Gets, Avoriaz (level 3)
  • The Diable gorges and bridge (level 3)
  • Views of the Mont Blanc range
  • Col de la Colombiere: the first difficulty of the week, and first real mountain pass of the Alps...
  • Le Grand Bornand: reputable ski resort known for the beauty and authenticity of its mountain chalets

Distance and altitude gain:

  • 2 wheels: approx. 90 km and 2200 m
  • 3 wheels: approx. 120 km and 3300 m
Day 2: La Clusaz - Bourg Saint Maurice 

Passes of the day:

  • Col des Aravis, 1486 m
  • Col des Saisies, 1650 m
  • Col du Joly, 1989 m (level 3, optional)
  • Col du Pré, 1703m (level 3)
  • Cormet de Roselend,1967 m

Highlights:

  • The Aravis mountain range with stunning views of the Mont Blanc 
  • The olympic resort of Les Saisies 
  • The Beaufortain and its famous cheese, the Beaufort (possibility to visit the cheese cooperative)
  • The turquoise waters of Lake Roseland, surrounded by beautiful alpine scenery

Distance and altitude gain:

  • 2 wheels: approx. 90 km and 2600 m
  • 3 wheels: approx. 100 km and 2800 m (Col du Joly option: + 28 km and 900 m)
Day 3: Bourg Saint Maurice - Aussois

Passes of the day:

  • Col de l'Iseran, 2762m

Highlights:

  • Liaison between the two biggest valleys of the Alps: the Tarentaise and the Maurienne 
  • The Col de l'Iseran: simply one of the most beautiful and longest passes in the Alps...
  • Panoramic views of the Vanoise National Park 
  • Small, traditional villages and their stone houses (Le Miroir, La Gurraz...) where time seems to have stood still

Distance and altitude gain:

  • 2 wheels : approx. 95 km and 2500 m
  • 3 wheels : approx. 105 km and 2800 m
Day 4: Aussois - Briançon 

Passes of the day:

  • Col du Télégraphe, 1566m (level 2)
  • Col du Galibier, 2645m (level 2)
  • Col de la Croix de Fer, 2067m (level 3)
  • Col du Glandon, 1924m (level 3)
  • Col du Lautaret, 2058m

Highlights:

  • A string of some of the most famous cols of the Tour de France! 
  • Valloire ski resort and its enchanting setting (level 2)
  • The « high mountain » atmosphere of the Galibier (level 2)
  • Panoramic views of the Ecrins and its famous summit, the Meije

Distance and altitude gain:

  • 2 wheels: approx. 100 km and 2200 m
  • 3 wheels: approx. 175 km and 3500 m
Day 5: Briançon - Jausiers

Passes of the day:

  • Col de l'Isoard, 2360m (level 3)
  • Col de Vars, 2109m
  • Col de la Bonette, 2715m (level 3, optional climb from Jausiers and back. This optional round trip climb can also be realised at the beginning of Day 6.)

Highlights 

  • The passage from the Northern Alps to the Southern Alps and its larch forests.
  • A clever itinerary between Barcelonnette and Guillestre that avoids the busier roads (level 2)
  •  The charming Haute Vallée de l'Ubaye
  • The Col de Vars: one of the most major cols of the Alps with over 1000 metres of altitude gain on both sides
  • For the most courageous, the mythical col de la Bonette climb as the end-of-the-day bonus challenge!

Distance and altitude gain:

  • 2 wheels: approx. 90 km and 1800 m
  • 3 wheels: approx. 95 km and 2800 m
Day 6: Jausiers - Beuil

Passes of the day:

  • Col de la Cayolle, 2326m (level 2)
  • Col d'Allos, 2250m (level 3)
  • Col des Champs, 2087m (level 3)
  • Col de Valberg, 1650m

Highlights:

  • The switch form the Ubaye valley to the Haute Vallée du Verdon on the ancient route of the Col d'Allos
  • The Col de la Cayolle and Col des Champs: superb climbs through the heart of the Mercantour National Park. 
  • The Gorges de Bachelard 

Distance and altitude gain:

  • 2 wheels: approx. 90 km and 2200 m
  • 3 wheels: approx. 110 km and 3000 m
Day 7: Beuil - Menton

Passes of the day:

  • Col de Saint Martin, 1500m
  • Col de Turini, 1604m (level 3)
  • Col de Saint Roch, 991m 
  • Col de l’Orme, 1005m (level 3)
  • Col de l’Ablé, 1169m (level 3)
  • Col de Braus, 1002m (level 3)
  • Col de Castillon, 370m (level 3)

Highlights:

  • The Col de Turini, last major climb of the tour!
  • The knowledge that all the major cols are behind us!
  • A superb chain of small passes (Orme, Able, Braus) with fantastic views of the Mediterranean
  • Arriving at the Mediterranean Sea!!!

Distance and altitude gain:

  • 2 wheels: approx. 125 km and 2600 m. This stage is long but has a significant negative drop, approx. - 4000m.
  • 3 wheels: approx. 140 km and 3100 m. This stage is long but has a significant negative drop, approx. - 4500m.
Day 8: Menton

Itinerary end: The trip ends in Menton after breakfast. On request we can organise a transfer to Nice airport or transfer you back to Thonon or Geneva airport with the assistance vehicle.

Distances and altitude gain are an indication only and may vary.

Average tour rating:

4.8/5 - 17 Reviews
Michael M. | Participant rating:
""
Andrew C. | Participant rating:
"Overall the tour was great and very pleased with it. All super smoothly run and route superb. Fantastic 5 weeks.

The only part that was not so great was the road up to Val 'd Isere which was super busy and not that safe. Any alternate route here or even heads up on a van lift would be much appreciated. "
This review has received a response from France Bike Trips:

Thank you for your feedback on this tour.

The climb up to Val d'Isère can indeed be busy, but unfortunately there is no alternative route (bar an enormous detour). The road also leads to the Col de l'Iseran, highest road pass in the Alps, which it would be a shame to miss.

Scott R. | Participant rating:
"Thanks for the excellent tour. Great route, Road Book, and GPS routes, nice to have a choice between the 2 and 3 wheel routes each day. Our support driver, Manu, was always in the right place for luggage, lunch, or shuttling us to dinner, and he made very good lunches. The accomodations had good locations, rooms, bike parking, and food, it was fun talking to the hotel owners and exploring the towns. Going from the Alps to the sea was the ride of a lifetime, looking forward to the next one."
Patrick C. | Participant rating:
"Amazing week of cycling. Will live long in the memory.
Would love to do another tour with France Bike Trips in the future.
Will be recommending France Bike Trips to friends."
Ismael P. | Participant rating:
"Very satisfied with the route (i did level 3), the climbs, villages and valleys were amazing and truly beautiful. The accomodations were appropriate and in some places even had special rooms for the bikes. The majority of the host were very friendly and kind and in most places they made special meals for me (vegetarian)
Our guide Antoine Vuillaume was very proffesional, supportive and caring. He made possible that we only had to worry about pedal. Picnics were great too!

I highly recommend France Bike Trips (velorizons) Alps grande Traversee.

Ismael, Chile"
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