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Ride the legendary passes of the French Alps on a road bike from south to northRef CR1D

A road cycling trip along the Route des Grandes Alpes is a unique sporting experience. Amidst the breathtaking mountain scenery of the French Alps, the classic route takes us over seven passes above the 2,000-metre mark from north to south, from Lake Geneva to Nice on the Mediterranean. How about starting this most famous string of cols not at Lake Geneva but on the Mediterranean coast?
From the deep blue sea of the Côte d'Azur, our ‘Nice - Chamonix’ trip takes us to the glaciers and four-thousand-metre peaks of the Mont Blanc region in 7 days. With the hinterland of Nice and its countless small cols, we have a perfect, albeit challenging, start to this tour. On day 2, unlike the classic route, the giant Col de la Bonette is on the programme. On our route to the Northern Alps, we then climb the Col de Vars, Izoard, Galibier, Iseran and Cormet de Roselend from the south side. Breathtaking views, winding descents, impressive natural scenery and the enjoyment of alpine French cuisine are guaranteed. The last stage takes us through the tranquil Val d'Arly and the ski town of Megeve down into the Arve Valley, from where we tackle the final climb up to Chamonix. Whether you have already cycled the classic Route des Grandes Alpes or are looking for a slightly different cycling experience along this unique route, this trip is for you.

Tour with assistance vehicle: from 1395€ - Details Duration : 7 days | Level : Customer satisfaction :
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+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.
Book this tour
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

  • Conquer a number of legendary Tour de France passes from the lesser-known southern side
  • Experience the ever-changing mountain landscape as you head north
  • Climb to the Cime de la Bonette, the highest road in Europe
  • Pedal up many smaller passes in three national parks: Mercantour, Écrins, Vanoise
  • Enjoy your arrival in Chamonix, at the foot of Mont Blanc

Description

  • Tour formula:

    Multi-stage trip with support vehicle

  • Accommodation:

    2* and 3* hotels, occasionally also simpler gîtes d'étape

  • Luggage transport:

    Included. You only carry what you need for the day.

  • Next departures:

    View dates

Comments

  • Some dates in July 2026 may change due to the Tour de France schedule.
  • Choose from two difficulty levels (level 2 and 3) each day, depending on your fitness level, how you feel on the day and your preferences.
  • You can find the classic north-south road bike tour here: Route des Grandes Alpes - The Classic
  • For group offers, please contact us directly.

Physical level

Physical level

Choose each day

No hassle at all: This trip offers different route options with varying distances and altitude gain (levels 2 and 3). Ride at your own pace and pick your preferred route option, depending on your fitness level, daily form and preferences.

Check the programme below for detailed information on distances and altitude gain of the route options.

Detailed itinerary

Detailed itinerary

Day 1: Nice - Valdeblore

Itinerary start: Rendezvous with the organisation team is on day 1 at 9 am at Nice SNCF railway station. On request we can book the previous night's accommodation for you.

On the first day of our road bike tour through the French Alps from south to north, the hinterland of Nice awaits us. It is known for its narrow, winding roads that snake their way endlessly up into the mountains of the Côte d'Azur, offering magnificent views of the deep blue Mediterranean Sea. To start our trip, both levels offer a challenging mountain pass route. The Col de Braus (1002 m) and the Col Saint Martin (1503 m) in particular may be familiar to connoisseurs. Overnight stay in a hotel in Valdeblore.

Passes of the day: 

  • Col de Chateauneuf
  • Col du Savel (level 2)
  • Col Saint Michel (level 2)
  • Col de Braus (level 3)
  • Col de l'Ablé (level 3)
  • Col de l'Orme (level 3)
  • Col Saint-Roch
  • Col de la Porte
  • Col de Saint Martin

Distance and altitude gain:

  • 2 wheels: approx. 100 km and 2,900 m
  • 3 wheels: approx. 120 km and 3,600 m
Day 2: Valdeblore - Jausiers

The day begins with a descent into the deeply carved Tinée Valley. The village of Roubion is perched high above the red rock cliffs of the gorge. From there, we set off on the long Level 2 climb up to the Col de la Bonette and, optionally, the Cime de la Bonette ring road, which takes us up to 2,802 metres (55 km, 2,300 metres of elevation gain). On the way up, we soon find ourselves in the middle of the beautiful mountain world of the Mercantour National Park, which reveals its most spectacular landscapes and views. After successfully conquering the Bonette, the 26 km descent to Jausiers awaits us, where we spend the night in a hotel.

At level 3, we take the Col de Sinne / Col de la Couillole loop to see the beautiful Gorges des Cians (caution: unlit tunnels).

Passes of the day:

  • Col de la Bonette & Cime de la Bonette
  • Col de Restefond
  • Col de la Sinne (level 3+)
  • Col de la Couillole (level 3+)

Distance and altitude gain:

  • 2 wheels: approx. 90 km and 2,400 m
  • 3 wheels: approx. 150 km and 4,450 m
Day 3: Jausiers - Monetier-les-Bains

On today's third day, two more large and well-known passes in the Southern Alps await us: first on the agenda is the Col de Vars, which takes us from the Ubaye Valley to the Durance Valley. In the upper Ubaye Valley, we pedal uphill on wonderfully secluded mountain slopes. The ramps on the last few kilometres are particularly challenging, with a 10% gradient. After the descent, in the village of Guillestre at the foot of Queyras and Ecrins, our routes separate. The more difficult level 3 tackles the ascent of the Col d'Izoard from here. This first leads through the spectacular gorge of the Guil torrent, the gateway to the Queyras Nature Park. After the turn-off towards Arvieux, the route climbs up to the illustrious Casse Déserte – a notorious place in Tour de France history with a memorial in honour of Fausto Copi and Louison Bobet, but also a geological highlight. At level 2, we follow an easier route through the Durance valley up to Briançon, where we can already see the Vauban fortifications from afar. From there, it is still a few kilometres uphill to our hotel in the mountain and ski village of Monêtier-les-Bains.

Passes of the day:

  • Col de Vars (2109 m)
  • Col de l'Izoard (2360 m) (level 3)

Distance and altitude gain:

  • 2 wheels: approx. 105 km and 2,100 m
  • 3 wheels: approx. 110 km and 2,900 m
Day 4: Monetier-les-Bains - Val Cenis

Today, we can look forward to another high mountain experience, this time at the famous Col du Galibier, which we will conquer from the south side (Col du Lautaret). It is the watershed between Isère and Durance; at the summit, the Northern Alps open up before us. The views of Barre des Ecrins and Meije are breathtaking as always. We then enjoy the long descent via Valloire and the Col du Télégraphe, which presents only a minor challenge from this side. Once we reach the Maurienne Valley, we begin the long climb up to the Col de l'Iseran, which we will conquer tomorrow. Overnight stay in a hotel in Val-Cenis.

At level 3, our route does not take us over the Galibier but over the Col de la Croix de Fer. To do this, we first take the long descent from the Col du Lautaret to Le Bourg d'Oisans, from where we begin the more than 30 km long ‘procession’ to the Iron Cross. Afterwards, the long ascent of the Maurienne Valley awaits us: at 180 km, this variant is certainly only for the most hardened mountain climbers among us.

Passes of the day:

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

Distance and altitude gain:

  • 2 wheels: approx. 105 km and 2,600 m
  • 3 wheels+: approx. 180 km and 4,400 m
Day 5: Val Cenis - Bourg Saint Maurice

The fifth and sixth stages offer picture-postcard landscapes of the Northern Alps in a class of their own. At the Col de l'Iseran, we can expect beautifully impressive panoramas of the mountain giants of the Vanoise National Park. It is officially the highest road pass in the French Alps, and with the mountain villages of Le Mirroir, La Gurraz and Bonneval sur Arc, crossing it is also a cultural experience. The descent to Bourg Saint Maurice is 48 km long, passing the glamorous Val d'Isère and the Tignes dam. Overnight stay in the Tarentaise Valley in Bourg Saint Maurice.

Passes of the day:

  • Col de l'Iseran (2762 m)

Distance and altitude gain:

  • 2 wheels: approx. 95 km and 2,100 m
  • 3 wheels: approx. 125 km and 2,700 m
Day 6: Bourg Saint Maurice - Flumet

On the last real mountain stage, two real challenges await us: first, the 20-kilometre climb up to Cormet de Roselend. A scenic treat. On the north side, we ride along the turquoise-blue Roselend reservoir, and with the Col du Pré, another difficulty can be added here at level 3 (also allowing us to cross the spectacular dam before descending the steep ramps towards Arêches). The Beaufortain region, south of the Mont Blanc summit, welcomes us with its chalets and green alpine meadows. After leaving the village of Beaufort, the climb to the Les Saisies ski area awaits us – 16 kilometres and a full 1,000 metres of elevation gain will demand a lot from us this afternoon. The panoramic views of the Mont Blanc area, which we are now very close to, can be enhanced with a detour to the Col du Joly (there and back) (level 3). From the Les Saisies saddle, we then descend into the Val d'Arly, where we spend the night.

Passes of the day:

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

Distance and altitude gain:

  • 2 wheels: approx. 75 km and 2,200 m
  • 3 wheels: approx. 105 km and 3,300 m
Day 7: Flumet - Chamonix

Today we finish our crossing of the French Alps by road bike with the final stage towards Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. We finally set course for Mont Blanc. We cycle up the picturesque Val d'Arly, where we pass through two more sophisticated ski resorts, Praz sur Arly and Megeve. The proximity of Mont Blanc is evident from the luxurious chalets. Then we descend into the Arve Valley with a view of the Aguilles Rouges before riding from the spa town of Saint Gervais to Chamonix via small roads and two final short climbs. We enjoy the unique mountain atmosphere as we enter the Chamonix valley with views of the Mont Blanc glaciers. We have reached the destination of our journey. We have lunch together in a restaurant in Chamonix to celebrate the end of this road bike tour along the Route des Grandes Alpes.

Passes of the day:

  • no more cols today :-) - a last climb to Chamonix

Distance and altitude gain:

  • 2/3 wheels: approx. 55 km and 1,000 m

Itinerary end: The trip ends in Chamonix at lunch. Individual departure or optional transfer with the support vehicle to Geneva or Chambéry. Please note: the seats are limited.

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

Dates and price

Dates
From   21/06/2026    to   27/06/20267 days1395 €Confirmed
From   19/07/2026    to   25/07/20267 days1395 €First bookings
From   16/08/2026    to   22/08/20267 days1395 €Available
From   13/09/2026    to   19/09/20267 days1395 €First bookings

Costs and services

The price includes:
  • The assistance of a trip leader in support vehicle (breakdown assistance, daily luggage transport and catering)
  • 6 nights accommodation in 2* hotels, occasionally 3* hotel or Gîte d'Etapes (inn) in double/twin rooms with en-suite facilities
  • 6 breakfasts
  • 6 picnic lunches prepared daily with fresh, regional products: high-energy salad (pasta, rice, lentil), cheese, cold cuts, fruit and muesli/cereal bars
  • 6 dinners (3 course menu)
  • Daily luggage 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 point
  • 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".

Extra services

Single room accommodation (6 nights) 340 € / 

Extra nights

Extra night in Nice in 3* hotel, single room, including breakfast 155 € / 

Extra night in Nice in 3* hotel, double or twin room, including breakfast 95 € / 

Transfers

Our office is located in Chambéry (approx. 1 hour's drive from Lyon and Geneva). We can offer you and your road bike (professional transport) a transfer to the starting point on the day before the tour with the support vehicle. In this case, an additional night in Nice is also required, which we can reserve for you.

Shuttle bus from Chambéry to Nice at the start of the tour
(price per person with your bike)		 115 € / 

Return shuttle from Chamonix to Chambéry (or Geneva) at the end of the tour
(price per person with your bike)		 55 € / 

Transport of a rigid bike box or a semi-rigid bike bag during the trip
The supplement concerns rigid bike boxes (non-collapsible) and semi-rigid bike bags (collapsible) which are larger than typical hand luggage when folded (56 cm × 45 cm × 25 cm). Ex. Evoc bike bag. Soft bike bags (bags that can be folded entirely and stored under the seats) are transported free of charge.		 40 € / 

Road bike rental: see below

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 50 or equivalent, roughly 9 kg		 355 € / 

Premium road bike
Carbon frame and fork, disc brakes, Shimano 105 groupset, 12 Di2 speeds, 50/34 - 11/32, aluminium wheelset, model Scott Addict 40 or equivalent, roughly 8,9 kg		 430 € / 

Ultimate road bike
Carbon frame and fork, disc brakes, Shimano 105 groupset, 12 Di2 speeds, 50/34 - 11/34, carbon Mavic or Syncros wheelset, model Scott Addict 30 or equivalent, roughly 8,4 kg		 565 € / 

E-road bike
Carbon frame and fork, Shimano 105 groupset, 11 speeds, 50/34 - 11/32, aluminium wheelset, supplied with 1 x 248Wh battery (+ 1 extra 210Wh battery), model Orbea Gain M30 or equivalent, roughly 13 kg		 800 € / 

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:

Nice airport

Lyon airport

Airport transfers are available on request. Contact us for a quote.

By train:

SNCF: www.voyages.sncf.fr

By car:

Route planner: en.mappy.com

Parking: In the event that you travel by car to the meeting point, we will suggest your some parking solutions.

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.

Accommodation

All our accommodation has been carefully selected by us to guarantee you a good level of comfort, hospitality and typical flair. Our standard offers include overnight stays in a double/twin room with an en-suite bathroom (shower/bathtub and toilet). The majority of the trip takes place in 2* hotels. Occassionally, we use 3* hotels as well as some simpler accommodation : Gîtes d'Etape (inns). Depending on availability, we may not be able to offer single rooms in some places.

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.

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 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

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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

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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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