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The Upper French Alps: Geneva to Geneva

Au cours de ce séjour à vélo, vous aurez de magnifiques vues sur le lac de Genève 7
On this cycling tour, you'll experience amazing views over Lake Geneva. Col de la Croix Fry, unknown but not less challenging col near the Grand Bornand, the land of Reblochon Between Annecy and Switzerland, get the most of the climbs on your racing bike Cycling the Upper French Alps: Enjoy a break and the scenic French Alps This cycling tour is ideal for avid riders, through the French Alps, close to Switzerland Climb up Col de Joux Plane to reach Morzine and ride down to your guesthouse in Onnion Climbing up la Colombière, a mythic climb in the French Alps near Mont Blanc
Au cours de ce séjour à vélo, vous aurez de magnifiques vues sur le lac de Genève

The Upper French Alps: Geneva to Geneva

  • Level
  • PriceFrom 995 euros
  • DAY6 nights / 7 days

More info: Receive detailed hotel list, bike specs, and route description

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Description

This tour is a real ode to what we affectionately call "our playground," since we cycle these roads regularly and believe us, you will be mesmerized by the scenery! From the banks of Lake Geneva and Lake Annecy, stunning panoramas from the tops of these challenging climbs, and beautiful Alpine towns and villages along the way, this tour has everything a serious cyclist could want!

The route includes many legendary Tour de France climbs such as the Col de la Biche, Col du Grand Colombier, Montée du Semnoz, Col de la Croix Fry, Col des Aravis, Col de Joux-Plan. Some of these climbs are optional and can be included on your route, and some are unavoidable!

We have also planned the route to be as flexible as possible, so riders who are short on time can also begin riding from Seyssel and Annecy, or ride directly from Geneva to Annecy.

Itinerary

D1Arrival in Geneva or Gaillard

 

Arrive into Geneva or Gaillard (depending on the hotel option that you choose) at your leisure. Take the time to explore this international city, with its charming “old town”, where you will find many authentic Swiss restaurants and, of course, it’s magnificent lake. Make sure to stock up on Swiss chocolate to stuff into your pockets for the days riding ahead, as tomorrow you will begin your tour!

D2Geneva/Gaillard to Seyssel From Gaillard: 98 km / 60 miles; 1,950 m / 6,385 ft of climbing; From Geneva: 90 km/56 mi; 1,900m/6,235 ft of climbing; Grand Colombier loop from Seyssel: 60 km / 37 miles; 1,480 m / 4,855 ft of climbing

 

Today’s ride can be viewed as a warm-up for the next few days! Our standard route will take you out through the Swiss countryside surrounding Geneva and across the French border before you pedal up your first cols of the tour. You can opt to ride over the Col de Richemond and the Col de la Biche, both of which are beautiful climbs and feel very remote (you are likely to see more cows than cars on these climbs!) If you prefer, you can skip these two climbs and choose to ride the Col du Grand Colombier, which has been featured 5 times in the Tour de France. You will be staying overnight in the charming town of Seyssel, with beautiful views over the Rhône River which bisects the town.

 

D3Seyssel to Annecy 53 km / 33 miles; 1,300 m / 4,265 ft of climbing

 

Enjoy a beautiful start to the day by riding to the Château de Clermont, a remarkable castle built in the 16th century. From here the route plunges into the scenic Gorges du Fier and continues on towards the village of Quintal. At Quintal you can choose to continue to climb all the way to the Montée du Semnoz, which featured as the finish of the 20th stage of the 2013 Tour de France, before enjoying a great descent down into Annecy. Take some time to visit this picture-perfect town and your home for tonight, known as the “Venice of the Alps” for its numerous canals.

D4Annecy to Le Grand Bornand 65km / 41 miles; 1,420 m / 4,660 ft of climbing

 

The ride today is magical! You begin by riding along the banks of the turquoise-coloured Lake Annecy, before you tackle the first col of the day, the Col des Marais. Up next is a Tour de France classic, the Col de la Croix-Fry, featured 5 times in the Tour and last ridden by the peloton in 2018. You can choose whether you would like to roll down into Le Grand Bornand from here, or, if you have a little bit left in the tank, then a short 5km climb will take you to the Col des Aravis. This extra effort will be rewarded by breathtaking views across to Mont Blanc! Either way, enjoy some well-deserved relaxation at your hotel in Le Grand Bornand!

D5Le Grand Bornand to Morzine 74 km / 46 miles; 2,210 m / 7,250 ft of climbing

 

“Le Grand Bornand to Morzine” sounds like a Tour de France stage, and today’s route could well be! Col de la Colombière and Col de Joux-Plane are probably the two most revered climbs in this part of the Alps and you will ride both today. You will begin with the Col de la Colombière (the easier side), before descending down into the town of Cluses. Awaiting you beyond Cluses is the Col de Joux-Plane. With its 9% average gradient, Joux-Plane has often been one of the decisive climbs in Tour de France and Dauphiné Libéré races. From the top of the col you will descend down the last 10km or so into Morzine, where you will stay tonight. If you still have some legs at the end of the day, you can ride up the climb to Avoriaz!

D6Morzine to Yvoire 84 km / 52 miles; 1,840 m / 6,035 ft of climbing

 

After all of those daunting Tour de France climbs, one deserves a reward… and today is that reward. You will be riding on beautiful, quiet roads, winding your way through the Chablais mountains towards Lake Geneva. Along the way you will enjoy spectacular views over valleys and farmlands before some grandiose views open up over the lake and across to the Jura mountains in the distance. As if that weren’t enough, you’ll be staying in one of the jewels of the Savoy region this evening, the medieval village of Yvoire. Enjoy magical views across the lake in the evening as you reflect on an epic week of cycling the Upper French Alps!

D7Departure

 

After breakfast we will transfer you back to Geneva airport or train station.

Booking & Prices

  • Option A
  • 2 nights in 2-star hotels and 4 nights in 3-star hotels

  • 995 euros per person in May, June and September. Single supplement is 375 euros
  • 1,015 euros per person in July and August. Single supplement is 395 euros
  • Option A+
  • 1 night in a 4‐star hotel, 4 nights in 3‐star hotels and 1 night in a 2‐star hotel (in Seyssel)

     
  • 1,175 euros per person in May, June and September. Single supplement is 495 euros
  • 1,195 euros per person in July and August. Single supplement is 525 euros

These prices include:

  • 6 nights' accommodation as described above
  • Daily breakfast
  • 3 dinners (drinks are not included)
  • Meeting with our local representative
  • Luggage transfers
  • Transfers between Yvoire and Geneva on Day 7
  • Marked maps and/or roadbook (paper and/or app)
  • Pre-loaded GPS unit (subject to availability) or navigation app
  • Assistance if necessary (you will be provided with our local rep’s mobile number)
  • All tax and service charges

These prices do not include:

  • Expenses of a personal nature.
  • Travel insurance.
  • Bicycle rentals. Full-carbon racing bikes are available at the price of 210 euros per bike. This price includes the drop-off fee for the bike’s return to Geneva.

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