Road bike France

A brand new road cycling trip taking in the iconic climbs of the Tour de France between Savoy and DauphinéRef CR02

For over 100 years, images of the mythical climbs of the Tour de France and their heroes have fed our imagination. And these legendary mountain roads of the Savoie and Dauphiné regions have lost none of their fascination today. It is only natural for us to offer you a (re-)discovery of these giants of the Alps, gathered here in a 7-day loop that is as original as it is demanding. Set off  for the Cormet de Roselend and the Iseran, Galibier, Glandon, Croix de Fer and Madeleine passes. We tackle the mythical climb of Alpe d'Huez and its 21 bends, that of La Toussuire and finally the famous Montvernier laces, magnificently clinging to the cliffs of the Maurienne valley. A day's ride around Bourg d'Oisans allows us to fully enjoy the wild roads of this alpine cycling paradise. This tour offers you the best parts of mountain biking history, while riding in the footsteps of the heroes. Whether you are a seasoned pass hunter or an amateur-admirer, write your own story.

Tour with assistance vehicle: from 1455€ - Details Duration : 7 days | Level : Customer satisfaction :
- 3 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.
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Highlights

  • The mythical climbs and passes of the Alps in an original 7-day loop, starting from Albertville
  • An itinerant trip around the giants of the Alps, between Savoie and Dauphiné
  • A day in Bourg d'Oisans for an in-depth immersion in Oisans
  • Several itinerary options per day: the choice is yours!
  • Optional "Hors catégorie" stages for the strongest: above level 3
  • Quality accommodation exclusively in hotels

Description


Physical level

Physical level

Choose each day

Each day you choose between two different routes with varying distances and altitude gain (2 and 3 wheels).

Detailed itinerary

Day 1: Albertville

Itinerary start:Rendezvous with the organisation team is on day 1 around 6 pm at the hotel. On request we can book the previous night's accommodation for you in Albertville.

Day 2: Albertville - Bourg Saint Maurice

Passes of the day:

  • Cormet de Roselend, 1 967 m.
  • Col de Tamié, 907 m. (level 3, optionnal)
  • Col du Pré, 1 703 m. (level 3, optionnal)

Highlights:

  • A perfect warm-up on the first kilometres around Albertville
  • A first easy pass in the Pre-Alps : The Col de Tamié, its Abbey and its bucolic landscapes (level 3)
  • The crossing of the Beaufortain and its mountain pastures
  • The small vertiginous road of the Col du Pré, hanging on the steep slope... (level 3)
  • The lake of Roselend, its chapel and its turquoise waters overhung by the mountain pastures...
  • The dazzling descent into the Tarentaise valley

Distance and altitude gain:

  • 2 wheels: approx. 90 km and 2600 m
  • 3 wheels: approx. 110 km and 2900 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 (Bonneval sur Arc, 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 2900 m
Day 4: Aussois - Le Bourg d'Oisans

Passes of the day:

  • Col du Télégraphe, 1 566 m.
  • Col du Galibier, 2 642 m.
  • Climbing to l'Alpe d'Huez, 1 860 m. (level 3, optional)

Highlights:

  • A string of some of the most famous cols of the Tour de France! 
  • Valloire ski resort and its enchanting setting
  • The « high mountain » atmosphere of the Galibier
  • Panoramic views of the Ecrins and its famous summit, the Meije
  • The final climb to Alpe d'Huez for the strongest riders: a real mountain stage!

Distance and altitude gain:

  • 2 wheels: approx. 105 km and 2700 m
  • 3 wheels: approx. 135 km and 3800 m
Day 5: Loop day - Le Bourg d'Oisans

Passes of the day:

  • Climbing to l'Alpe d'Huez 1 860 m.
  • Le Col de Sarenne 1 999 m.
  • Climbing to Les Deux Alpes 1 652 m. (level 3, optionnal)

Highlights 

  • There are several possibilities for this day in Oisans
  • The ascent of Alpe d'Huez (Distance: 14,5 km, Difference in altitude: 1121 m, Average gradient: 7,9 %) with the Col de Sarenne and the wild Ferrand valley
  • The ascent of Les Deux Alpes
  • Vertigo routes on the balconies of the Oisans

Distance and altitude gain:

  • 2 wheels: approx. 70 km and 2000 m
  • 3 wheels: approx. 90 km and 2600 m
Day 6: Le Bourg d'Oisans - La Toussuire

Passes of the day:

  • Col de La Croix de Fer, 2,067 m.
  • Col du Glandon (level 3, optional), 1,924 m.
  • Col du Mollard (level 3, optional), 1 630 m.
  • Climbing to la Toussuire, 1 652 m.

Highlights:

  • A mountain stage with lots of possibilities and a finish at altitude
  • The Grand'Maison dam in a sumptuous setting at the foot of the Aiguilles de l'Argentière
  • The panorama of the Aiguilles d'Arves from the Col de la Croix de Fer and the descent to Saint Sorlin d'Arves
  • The ascent of La Toussuire (Distance: 19 km, Difference in altitude: 1145 m, Average gradient: 6.0%)
  • An optional "Hors Catégorie" route for the strongest: the climbs of the Croix de Fer and the Glandon (3 km at 10%) before the final ascent to La Toussuire

Distance and altitude gain:

  • 2 wheels : approx. 80 km and approx. 2,600 m.
  • 3 wheels : approx. 90 km and approx. 2,800 m.
  • 3 wheels - 2nd option : approx. 100 km and. 3,100 m.
  • "Hors Catégorie" route : approx. 140 km and 4,500 m.
Day 7: La Toussuire - Albertville

Passes of the day:

  • Col du Chaussy, 1 531 m.
  • Col de la Madeleine, 1 999 m.
  • Col du Mollard (level 3, optionnal), 1 630 m.

Highlights:

  • The panoramic descent from the resort of La Toussuire: Lauzière, Mont Blanc, Cheval Noir, Aiguilles d'Arves as a backdrop
  • The ascent of the Montvernier bends, a breathtaking section of road
  • The wild atmosphere on the Maurienne balconies with the Col de Chaussy
  • The mythical ascent of the Col de la Madeleine at the foot of the Lauzière chain
  • The last descent of the circuit towards the Tarentaise, heading for Albertville and the end of the journey

Distance and altitude gain:

  • 2 wheels: approx. 110 km and 2500 m
  • 3 wheels: approx. 120 km and 3400 m

Itinerary end: The trip ends in Albertville at the hotel you stayed in at the beginning of the tour.

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

Dates and price

Dates
Start date End date Duration Price
27/06/2026 03/07/2026 7 days 1455 €
04/07/2026 10/07/2026 7 days 1455 €
01/08/2026 07/08/2026 7 days 1455 €
08/08/2026 14/08/2026 7 days 1455 €
29/08/2026 04/09/2026 7 days 1455 €
05/09/2026 11/09/2026 7 days 1455 €
12/09/2026 18/09/2026 7 days 1455 €

Costs and services

The price includes:
  • Trip leader in support vehicle
  • 6 nights in 2*/3* hotels in double rooms with en-suite facilities
  • 6 breakfasts
  • 6 picnic lunches
  • 6 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 change in the programme due to bad weather
  • All personal expenses
  • Everything not mentioned under  “the price includes".

Extra services

(Price per person)

Single room accommodation (6 nights) 325 € / 

Transporting a rigid bike box or semi-rigide during the trip
(or semi-rigid bike bags, which are larger than typical hand luggage when folded: 56 cm × 45 cm × 25 cm)
40 € / 

Extra night in Albertville in 2* hotel, double room, including breakfast 65 € / 

Extra night in Albertville in 2* hotel, single room, including breakfast 105 € / 

Vélorizons cycling jersey
(shipping not included)
75 € / 

Road bike rental

Rental road bike models:

Standard road bike
Carbon frame and fork, disc brakes, Shimano Tiagra groupset, 10 speeds, 50/34 - 11/32, aluminium wheelset, model Scott Addict or equivalent, roughly 9 kg
295 € / 

Premium road bike
Carbon frame and fork, disc brakes, Shimano Ultegra groupset, 11 speeds or 12 Di2 speeds, 50/34 - 11/32, aluminium wheelset, model Scott Addict 20 or equivalent, roughly 8,4 kg
355 € / 

Ultimate road bike
Carbon frame and fork, rim brakes, Shimano Ultegra groupset, 11 speeds or 12 Di2 speeds, 50/34 - 11/34, carbon Mavic wheelset, model Scott Addict 10 or equivalent, roughly 8 kg
465 € / 

E-road bike
Carbon frame and fork, aluminium wheelset, Shimano 105 groupset, 11 speeds, 50/34 - 11/32 supplied with 1 x 248Wh battery (+ 1 extra battery 210Wh), model Orbea Gain M30 or equivalent, roughly 13 kg
635 € / 

Rental bike equipment (for all models):

  • Repair kit included: 2 CO2 cartridges, patches, multi-tool, 1 inner tube, tyre levers
  • 2 bottle holders (except size 47 bicycles on which only one can be placed)
  • Helmets and water bottles: not included
  • Pedals: Our rental bikes come without pedals. You can either bring your own pedals or specify your needs; we can install 3 types of pedals at no extra charge: Look KEO easy, Shimano SPD-SL or Shimano SPD.

Please indicate your choice of model and pedals as well as your height (if possible also frame size and inseam) when filling out your booking form.

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:
If you choose to take out a travel insurance policy with another insurance company, please check that the search and rescue coverage is suitable: area covered, expenses included, risks covered (as an indication, a minimum cover of 15 000 € is recommended). Please note that credit card insurance rarely offers this type of coverage.

Booking procedure / Cancellation

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

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

Lyon airport: https://www.lyonaeroports.com/en

Airport transfers are available on request.

By train

SNCF:  www.voyages.sncf.fr

By car

Route planner: en.mappy.com

Parking: In the event that you arrive by car, free parking is available next to the railway station in Thonon les Bains.

Route 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.

Velorizons app compatibility
Operating systemAndroidAppleWindows PhoneBlackberry
CompatibilityVersion 8.0 minimumiOS 8.0 minimum. iPhone compatible, iPad compatible if GPS equippedNon compatibleNon 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.

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...)

Car sharing

If you sign up for a guided tour, we offer you the opportunity to see if you can carpool with other participants to get to the point of departure. To do this, go to "Car sharing" in our website. By entering the complete reference and the date of departure of the tour (available on the registration confirmation that we have sent you), you have access to route details and emails of other participants who wish to carpool.

Baggage

During the day you carry only a daypack for additional clothing, water, food, camera, etc. The rest of your baggage is transferred each day to the following nights accommodation.

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 and regional 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.

Personal Gear & Packing List

Luggage

All your belongings should be divided into two bags: a backpack and a travel bag.

1/ Backpack or Small Bag (to be kept in the support vehicle or on the bike)

This is the bag you use every day while cycling. It is kept in the support vehicle (accessible during the lunch stop or carried along on the bike (frame, seat or handlebar bag). This bag should not be too large (up to 15 litres).

It will contain: snack food, camera, waterproof and extra clothing, sunglasses, etc.

2/ Travel bag

This bag will be transported by vehicle from one accommodation to the next. It should contain all the items you won’t need during the day. You can expect to find it at your accommodation in the evening (generally not accessible during lunch).

Packing list
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 or more cycling jerseys (or technical t-shirts made of synthetic or natural breathable fabrics)
  • A warm and long cycling jersey or shirt; alternatively: arm warmers
  • A sweatsheart and t-shirts (for the evenings)
  • A wind & waterproof jacket
  • A pair of cycling gloves
For your legs
  • Two or more good quality bib shorts with seat pad (chamois)
  • A pair of long and warm cycling tights or leg warmers
  • A casual short (for the evenings)
  • A swimsuit
For your feet
  • A pair of cycling shoes
  • A pair of shoes suitable for the evening
  • Sandals (not compulsory, but nice for warm evenings...)
  • Cycling socks
For your bike
  • Adapted gearing: if in doubt ask us our your local cycle dealer
  • Bike lights with batteries (or charger)
  • 2 spare tubes
  • Puncture repair kit or tubeless repair kit
  • Spare brake pads (except if you start with new pads)
  • Chain lube
  • A small pump
  • A multi tool
Other
  • 2 bike bottles 75 cl (or camelbak)
  • A toiletry kit and towel
  • A bike lock (not compulsory)
  • A small individual pharmacy: sunscreen (face and lips); band aids + double skin (Compeed); Immodium; pain killers, earplugs, other personal medication.

Self-guided formula

    Average tour rating:

    5/5 - 3 Reviews
    Stephen D. | Participant rating:
    "A brilliant time with an incredible guide. The food was great, the routes were amazing and I didn't have to think about anything but the riding."
    Chris T. | Participant rating:
    "I had a great time and will be on another velorizons tour at some stage later. Thank you for the organisation, and thank you Roseline (tour leader)."
    Paul N. | Participant rating:
    "A challenging ride with a very helpful support crew. Fantastic tour."
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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.


    Phone number: +33 458 140 435

    Contact us

    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.

    Please type in your email address in order to access tour details and description

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