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  • Alps 

The Great Crossing of the French Alps by bike

From Thonon-les-Bains to Nice

From
1310€/person

Presentation of your trip

The Great Crossing of the Alps by bike: From the banks of Lac Léman to the beaches of Nice, you cross the entirety of the French Alps, from north to south, by road bike. You will follow legendary Tour de France routes and pass over incredible mountain passes as you cross the most beautiful Alpine valleys.
With each turn of the wheel, you get a little closer to the Mediterranean, crossing an extraordinary variety of landscapes. You leave behind the lush, green slopes of the Savoie and Maurienne to tackle the Briançonnais peaks.
Then, on through the Queyras, taking in the Mercantour, before finally arriving at the beaches of the Mediterranean coast and the Promenade des Anglais.

  • DestinationAlps
  • TypeFree or Guided
  • Length of trip8 days and 7 nights
  • ActivitiesRoad bike
  • Physical level

Possible periods for this trip

  • Jan.
  • Feb.
  • March
  • Apr.
  • May
  • June
  • Jul.
  • August
  • Sep.
  • Oct.
  • Nov.
  • Dec.
Description of the tripProgramTravel conditionsDates and price

Trip details

Highlights

  • Fabled cols of the Tour de France
  • The most beautiful landscapes of the Alps: cols, forests, gorges, plateaus
  • The arrival at the Mediterranean, the ‘Grande Bleue’ !
  • Accommodation on a half-board basis

Complementary informations

  • 8 days 7 nights including 7 days of cycling
  • In hotels and double bedrooms

Program

  • Day 1

    From Thonon les Bains to La Clusaz

    • Distance : 90 km
    • Elevation gain : 2200 m
    • Type of accommodation : Hotel

    It’s the Great Departure for the South!
    Col de Jambaz, 1027m (level 3)
    Col de Joux Plane, 1712m (level 5)
    Col de la Colombière, 1613 m

    Level 3: 90km, elevation +2200m
    Level 5: 120km, elevation +3300m

    Night at La Clusaz.  

  • Day 2

    From La Clusaz to Bourg Saint Maurice

    • Distance : 90 km
    • Elevation gain : 2600 m
    • Type of accommodation : Hotel

    Col des Aravis, 1486 m
    Col des Saisies, 1650 m
    Col du Joly, 1989m (level 5, optional ; 28km, elevation +900m)
    Col du Pré, 1703m (level 5)
    Cormet de Roselend, 1967 m

    Level 3: 90km, elevation +2600m
    Level 5: 100km, elevation +2800m

    Night in Bourg Saint Maurice. 
     

  • Day 3

    From Bourg Saint Maurice to Val Cenis

    • Distance : 80 km
    • Elevation gain : 2200 m
    • Type of accommodation : Hotel

    Col de l’Iseran, 2 762m
    Col du Mont Cenis, 2083m (optional ; 30km, elevation + 760m)

    Level 2: 80km, elevation +2200m
    Level 3 : 90km, elevation +2600m

    Night in Val Cenis.

  • Day 4

    From Val Cenis to Monêtier les Bains

    • Distance : 100 km
    • Elevation gain : 2500 m
    • Type of accommodation : Hotel

    Col du Télégraphe, 1566m (level 3)
    Col de la Croix de Fer, 2067m (level 5)
    Col du Glandon, 1924m (level 5)
    Col du Galibier, 2645m (level 3) 
    Col du Lautaret, 2058 m

    Level 3: 100km, elevation + 2500m
    Level 5: 175km, elevation + 4300m

    Night in Monêtier les Bains.

  • Day 5

    From Monêtier les Bains to Barcelonnette (Le Sauze)

    • Distance : 100 km
    • Elevation gain : 2000 m
    • Type of accommodation : Hotel

    Col de l’Izoard, 2360 m (level 5)
    Col de Vars, 2109 m
    Col de la Bonnette, 2715m (level 5, optional)

    Level 3: 110km, elevation +2000m
    Level 5: 120km, elevation +2800m
    Night in Barcelonnette (Le Sauze).

  • Day 6

    From Barcelonnette (Le Sauze) to Beuil

    • Distance : 85 km
    • Elevation gain : 2200 m
    • Type of accommodation : Hotel

    Col de la Cayolle, 2326m (level 3)
    Col d’Allos, 2250m (level 5)
    Col des Champs, 2087m (level 5)
    Col de Valberg, 1650m

    Level 3: 85km, elevation +2200m
    Level 5: 110km, elevation +2900m

    Night in Beuil.

  • Day 7

    From Beuil to Nice

    • Distance : 130 km
    • Elevation gain : 2700 m
    • Type of accommodation : Hotel

    Col de la Couillole, 1678m
    Col de Saint-Martin, 1500 m 
    Col de Turini, 1604 m
    Col de St Roch, 990 m

    Level 2: 130km, elevation 2700m
    Level 3: 145km, elevation 3200m

    Night in Nice.

  • Day 8

    Nice

      The trip ends in Nice after breakfast. Individual departure or optional transfer with the support vehicle back to Thonon-les-Bains by Lake Geneva (arrival in Thonon between 3 and 4 pm depending on traffic). Please note: the seats are limited.

    • End of trip

    Travel conditions

    • Luggage

      You only carry the business of the day and the picnic. Luggage is carried by vehicle (or assistance vehicle). 1 piece/person and limited to 15kg/piece.

    • Formalities

      • A valid official ID
      • We recommend travel insurance with repatriation included
    • DEPARTURE AND MEETING POINT

      The first day at Thonon les Bains (74).

      How to get there:
      By car: N5 or D903.
      By train: Thonon les Bains SNCF Train Station.
      By plane: Geneva Airport then taxi or shuttle bus/assistance vehicle.

    • Accommodation

      7 nights on a full pension

      Double bedroom option: You will sleep in a comfortable hotel, B&B or, sometimes, ‘gite’ in a bedroom for 2 people. Sheets and towels are provided. (Single room option available - see prices on our site).
       

    • Food

      Your trip might not be the best time to diet, as it's an occasion to taste the local cooking. We place great importance to the quality of the food we provide: well-balanced and nutritious, providing lots of energy with the specialties of the region incorporated into each meal.

      • Your accommodations provides Continental breakfasts.
      • We distribute simple cereal/muesli bars and dried fruit in the morning before the start of the stage.
      • Hearty dinners (3 to 4 courses, with local dishes)
      • You must bring your own specific energy bars and isodrinks.
      At lunch, there is 3 options based on what you prefer:

      • A picnic to carry along in a small backpack. It contains an individual salad (carbohydrate and vegetable based salad), cold meats, cheese and fruit. This picnic can be carried in a small backpack or a handlebar bag. 
      • "Racing food" for those "allergic" to backpacks: energy bars, dried fruit.
      • No lunch organised by us, leaving you free to stop and eat when and where you want (restaurant, bakery, grocery store...).

    • Attendees

      Individual registration:
      1-5 people- You can register for the dates already planned by La Rébenne with the option with assistance vehicle double bedroom.

      Group registration:
      You are in an organised group of at least 6 people- You can register for the dates planned by La Rébenne or your own dates (contact us).

    • Difficulty level

      You are in good physical condition and go cycling on roads, over long distances, at least once a week.
      Stages vary from 80 to 130km per day with positive altitude differences of 2000 to 2700m per day.

    • Options

      • Physiotherapy: recovery session with a physiotherapist at the end of the stage,
      • Leader: a qualified instructor guides the group (+ sports advice),
      • Mechanic: a mechanic cycles is responsible for repairs during the circuit and maintenance of the bikes at the end of the stages.

       

    • Options

      Extra nights :
      - Thonon les Bains in 3* hotel, double or twin room, including breakfast: 85€
      - Thonon les Bains in 3* hotel, single room, including breakfast: 135€
      - Nice in 3* hotel, double or twin room, including breakfast: 85€
      - Nice in 3* hotel, single room, including breakfast: 125€

      Massage :
      - In Briançon (4th day): 65€
      - In Beuil (6th day): 65€
      Road bike rental:

      - 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: 800€

      - 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: 325€

      - 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: 430€

      - 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: 565€
       

      For all rental bike models, we provide this equipment :
      - 2 bottle holders
      - Repair kit with 2 CO2 cartridges, patches, multi-tool, 1 inner-tube and tyre levers.
      Helmets and water bottles are not included.
      Pedals: Bikes are coming without pedals; you can bring your own of tell us which one you need, we have 3 different models: Look Keo easy, Shimano SPD-SL or Shimano SPD.
      If you want to rent us a bike, please tell us your height (also frame size and inseam, please) and your choice of bike and pedals.

      The tour leader will come with the rental bikes the 1st day. With you, he will carry out an inventory of the bike, as well as at the end of the tour.

      Other options :
      - Single room accommodation (7 nights): 395€
      - Transfer Nice - Thonon at the end of the trip, on day 8, around 9am: 135€
      - Transport of a rigid bike box during the trip (or semi rigid bike bags): 40€

       

    • Accompanying

      2 options to choose from:

      Self-guided cycling with luggage transfer. (For organised groups only):
      You set off alone, equipped with the orientation equipment provided by us: maps with marked routes and GPS tracks to discover the circuit which has been designed by our team. With the GPS fixed to your handlebars, you will be guided by the instructions we have carefully prepared with the highest level of precision.

      Self-guided cycling with assistance vehicle. (Only for individuals or organised groups):
      The assistance vehicle with bike trailer (or bike roof rack) will meet you at several points throughout the day’s stage, often at the top of the mountain passes (Cols) and will bring you your picnic, water, your extra clothes as well as a complete toolkit in case of any mechanical issues. As a result, you can fully enjoy your day with only a light bag or without needing to carry a bag at all. The driver will also give you advice for each stage, helping you to manage your ride and progress and will, most of the time, be able to answer any questions you may have about the local area.

    • Plane

      - Either you buy your plane ticket yourself, only when we have confirmed in writing the departure of your trip.

      - Either we book your plane tickets for you.

    Dates and price

    Information

    NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS AND REGISTRATION:

    Individual registration:
    1-5 people- You can register for the dates already planned by La Rébenne with the option with assistance vehicle in a ‘gite’ or double bedroom.

    Group registration:
    You are in an organised group of at least 6 people- You can register for the dates planned by La Rébenne or your own dates (contact us).

    Free departure from

    Price TTC per person

    Formula with assistance vehicle
    Individual registration1395
    Freedom package with luggage carrying by taxi - hotel double room
    Registration at 6 people1310

    Travel dates

    • From 15-06-2025 to 22-06-2025 Confirmed departure: you can register!
    • From 14-06-2025 to 21-06-2025 There is still availability!
    • From 21-06-2025 to 28-06-2025 Confirmed departure: you can register!
    • From 22-06-2025 to 29-06-2025 Confirmed departure: you can register!
    • From 05-07-2025 to 12-07-2025 There is still availability!
    • From 06-07-2025 to 13-07-2025 The trip is complete.
    • From 20-07-2025 to 27-07-2025 There is still availability!
    • From 27-07-2025 to 03-08-2025 There is still availability!
    • From 03-08-2025 to 10-08-2025 There is still availability!
    • From 10-08-2025 to 17-08-2025 There is still availability!
    • From 17-08-2025 to 24-08-2025 There is still availability!
    • From 24-08-2025 to 31-08-2025 There is still availability!
    • From 30-08-2025 to 06-09-2025 There is still availability!
    • From 31-08-2025 to 07-09-2025 There is still availability!
    • From 06-09-2025 to 13-09-2025 There is still availability!
    • From 07-09-2025 to 14-09-2025 There is still availability!
    • From 14-09-2025 to 21-09-2025 There is still availability!

    Options

    Single room option :  +395€/pers

    Package accommodation and navigation: we organize accommodation, meals, guidebooks, maps and GPS tracks and you make your own assistance and luggage transport, consult us.

    The price includes

    Accommodation and reservations
    Maps and GPS tracks
    Half-board starting at dinner on Day 1 until breakfast on Day 8.
    Picnics
    Transfer of 1 bag per person.
    For the ‘assistance vehicle option’: 1 vehicle with 9 places + driver for the duration of the trip.

    The price does not include

    • Drinks
    • Personal expenses 
    • Personal cycling equipment (helmet, gloves)
    • Bikes 
    • Transport of bike cases and bags with rigid bases
    • Transportation to the meeting point
    • Return transfer
    • Insurance

    The destination

    • Alps

      With a superb range of landscapes, ranging from alpine pastures, forests, and preserved valleys to high peaks and glaciers through wild gorges, this gigantic territory also offers a rich built heritage, that can be seen in its welcoming and typical villages where traditions, especially pastoral, are still alive.

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