Country

Alps · France

Duration

9 days · 8 nights

Profile

Mountainous

Supported Tour

Van support

Private Tour

Your group. Your dates.

From 3990€/pers

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FROM LAKE GENEVA TO THE SHORES OF THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA, RIDE LA “ROUTE DES GRANDES ALPES”.

Starting from Thonon-les-Bains on the shores of Lake Geneva to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea and the city of Nice, the Route des Grandes Alpes is a tourist route of more than 700 kilometers that crosses the French Alps from north to south through 17 mountain passes, 6 of which are over 2,000 meters above sea level. The Touring Club de France, an association whose aim was to develop tourism, initiated the project in 1909. The itinerary of this historic route was created in 1911 linking all the major passes. It was in 1937, with the opening of the Iseran pass that the work was completed.
Every summer, the Tour de France participates in the legend of these now world-famous passes: Galibier, Izoard, Cormet de Roselend. or the Iseran, the highest road pass in the Alps. Taking this route by bike is therefore to enter yourself into the Legend, it is to measure yourself against the grandeur of nature, it is to cross a nuance of climates, it is also the opportunity to cross 3 national parks: the Vanoise Park, the Ecrins Park and the Mercantour Park.

Day 1 : Welcome to the Alps - Evian

We will meet you at the Geneva airport at a predetermined time before transferring you to your hotel in Evian. We will take advantage of this first day to adjust our bikes, discuss our stay and explore the town. Evian is famous for its thermal waters but also for its mineral water.

Meals: Dinner

Accomodation: Hilton Hotel & Spa 4* – Évian

Today we cross the Haute-Savoie, a territory that has preserved its authenticity: its old winter sports resorts, its mountain pastures dotted with chalets, but also Abondance, a local cheese created in the 12th century. We leave Thonon and Lake Geneva in the direction of the first alpine pass of this adventure: the Col de Joux Plane (1691m) before continuing to the Col de Romme (1297m) and then the Col de la Colombière (1613m). In 2018, Julian Alaphilippe rode alone to the top before winning his first Tour de France stage in Le Grand-Bornand.

Meals: Breakfast · Picnic / Lunch · Dinner

Route: 115 km / 3300 m D+

Accomodation: St-Alban Hotel & Spa 4* – La Clusaz

A few kilometers after the departure, at the top of the Aravis pass we enter the department of Savoie, the Mont Blanc massif stands in front of you. We continue towards the Col des Saisies and then the village of Beaufort known for its PDO cheese. From there starts the last ascent of the day to the Cormet de Roselend (1968m) and its high altitude lake. A second itinerary via the Col du Pré is possible for the more adventurous.

Meals: Breakfast · Picnic / Lunch · Dinner

Route: 95 km / 2800 m D+

Accomodation: Hotel Le Monal 3* – Sainte Foy Tarentaise

Today, you will climb the Iseran pass which culminates at 2770m of altitude, the highest road pass in the Alps. The weather conditions are often capricious, even in summer! During the 2019 edition of the Tour de France, it was on the descent to Val d’Isère that the race organization had neutralized the stage due to a mudslide. If you wish, you can test yourself on the Mont Cenis pass before reaching your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast · Picnic / Lunch · Dinner

Route: 80 km / 2200 m D+

Accomodation: Saint Charles Hotel & Spa 4* – Val Cenis

From the hotel, we descend into the valley towards Saint Michel de Maurienne and the first ramps of a Tour de France legend, the Col du Galibier at 2642m.
After passing the Col du Télégraphe and the beautiful village of Valloire, the slope becomes steeper until the summit. From there, a panoramic view is offered to you, allowing you to see the Mont Blanc on one side, the glaciers and the eternal snows of the Écrins massif on the other. The long descent leads us to Serre Chevalier by the Col du Lautaret.

Meals: Breakfast · Picnic / Lunch · Dinner

Route: 100 km / 2300 m D+

Accomodation: Le Grand Aigle Hotel & Spa 4* – La Salle Les Alpes

First ascent of the day, the col de l’Izoard (2361 m) in the Queyras massif. It is here that we can best measure the differences in atmosphere between the Northern and Southern Alps. The Casse Déserte, a lunar landscape made of rock, is the witness of the history of the Tour and the Giro d’Italia, a stele pays tribute to Fausto Copi and Louison Bobet. We then continue towards the gorges of the Guil before climbing to the Col de Vars (2109m). The descent will lead us to Jausiers for a well-deserved rest. For the most courageous among you, the Col de la Bonette (2715m) and its 24 kms will offer an exceptional landscape on Provence and Italy very close.

Meals: Breakfast · Picnic / Lunch · Dinner

Route: Option 1 : 100 km / 2500 m D+ – Option 2 : 125 km / 4100 m D+

Accomodation: Hotel Spa Azteca 3* – Barcelonnette

It is after a warm-up of about fifteen kms in false flat descending that the Col de la Cayolle (2326m) makes its appearance. Opened at the end of the 19th century by the army, the Cayolle road offers passages carved in the rock. The 30 km descent leads to a succession of 4 passes at an average altitude of 1600m: Col de Valberg, Col du Quartier, Col de Sainte-Anne and finally the Col de la Couillole.

Meals: Breakfast · Picnic / Lunch · Dinner

Route: 100 km / 2500 m D+

Accomodation: Auberge Lo Robur – Roure

The day begins with the ascent of the Col Saint Martin (1503 m) before continuing towards the Col de Turini (1604m), regularly used on Paris-Nice and the Tour de France. The descent to Menton and the Mediterranean Sea gives a foretaste of the finish. The hinterland of Nice is a training ground that professional riders love, maybe you will have the pleasure to ride with one of them in the Col de la Madone de Gorbio before going back down to Nice.

Meals: Breakfast · Picnic / Lunch · Dinner

Route: Option 1 : 110 km / 2600 m D+ – Option 2 : 150 km / 3700 m D+

Accomodation: Hôtel Suisse 4* – Nice

It’s the end of this Across the Alps bike tour with Veymont Travel. After breakfast your guide will take you to Nice airport.

Meals: Breakfast

Inclus
Non Inclus

Accomodation

  • 5 nights in 4* hotels in double occupancy
  • 3 nights in 3* hotel in double occupancy

Meals

  • 8 breakfasts
  • 7 picnics / lunches
  • 8 dinners
  • Sport nutrition for every day of cycling

Guiding

  • 1 guide-driver with van who supports the group all along the tour

Activities

  • 7 bike rides

Equipment

  • Garmin GPS rental : 1 for 4 pers.
  • 2 bottles
  • 1 Veymont Travel cycling jersey

Support & Transfer

  • Transfer of people
  • Transfer of luggages
  • Transfer of bikes
  • Mechanical assistance
  • Pick up and drop off at predeterminated places
Non Inclus Séjour Liberté
  • Travel and repatriation insurance
  • Plane/train tickets and transportation to/from predetermined pick up/drop off locations
  • Accomodation before and after the stay
  • Personnal effetcs purchased during the stay
  • Activities not planned by Veymont Travel
  • Meals not mentionned in the “meals” section
  • Wine and dinks in bars, hotels and restaurants
  • Bike rental
  • Cycling guide

Guaranteed departure from 4 participants. Less than 4? More than 8? Contact-us !

In option:

  • Bike rental and equipment
  • Room in Single occupation
  • Cycling guide