Crossing the Alps by Bike - Bike Touring in France

Crossing the Alps

Scale, from Lake Léman to the Mediterranean, the legendary routes through the French Alps: Alpe d’Huez, Col d’Izoard, Col du Galibier… Mythic passes with epic pasts, paved with the colours of the greatest cycling champions, where you can pedal toward your dreams! Over 15,000 metres of climbs and descents, sometimes at altitudes of more than 2,000 metres, 25 linked passes: dizzying! At the summit, catch your breath as you look out over the alpine roofs. From top to bottom, the descent promises to be exhilarating. A total of 1,000 classic kilometres! It’s your turn to inscribe your name on the famous routes of the Tour de France. But if you plan to tackle these alpine giants, best make sure you’re in tiptop shape!

August 20 to September 3, 2010 • Price (taxes included) : $3,895
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The package includes:
- round-trip air transportation for passenger and bicycle with Air Transat;
- 13 nights in two- to four-star hotels (double occupancy);
- 13 breakfasts and 6 evening meals;
- bus trips.

From 12 to 25 cyclists, accompanied by our guide.

Start/Finish: Montréal-Trudeau/Lyon > Nice/Montréal-Trudeau.

From day to day

Short route: 843 km • Long route: 1181 km

Day 1 – Arrival in Lyon, trip to Thonon-les-Bains.
Day 2 - Thonon-les-Bains, Armoy, La Vernaz, Gorge du Pont du Diable, Col du Corbier, Le Biot, Saint-Jean-d'Aulps, Les Gets, Taninges, Col du Châtillon, Cluses (86 ou 96 km).
Day 3 - Cluses, Romme, Le Reposoir, Col de la Colombière, Le Grand Bornand, La Clusaz, Col des Aravis, Flumet, Les Saisies (77 km).
Day 4 - Les Saisies, Beaufort, Col du Meraillet, Bourg-Saint-Maurice, Séez, Sainte-Foy Tarentaise, Val d'Isère (87 ou 147 km).
Day 5 – Free day or looped route via Tignes (31 km).
Day 6 - Val d'Isère, Col d'Iseran, Bonneval, Col de la Madeleine, Lanslebourg, Sollière, Modane, Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne, Valloire. Optional route: Col du Mont Cénis, Col du Galibier (106 or 140 km).
Day 7 - Valloire, Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, Albiez, Col du Mollard, Saint-Jean d'Arves, Saint-Sorlin, Col de la Croix de Fer, Allemont, Bourg d'Oisans, Alpe d'Huez (130 km).
Day 8 - Free day or looped route via Bourg d'Oisans (43 ou 56 km).
Day 9 - Alpe d'Huez, Bourg d'Oisans, La Grave, Col du Lautaret, Le Monêtier-les-Bains, Chantemerle, Briançon, Col d'Izoard, Guillestre (132 or 148 km).
Day 10 - Guillestre, Vars, Col de Vars, La Condamine, Jausiers, Barcelonnette, Col de la Cayolle, Guillaumes, Valberg (128 km).
Day 11 – Free day or looped route via Guillaumes, Châteauneuf d'Entraunes, Péone (51 km).
Day 12 - Valberg, Beuil, Col de la Couillole, Roubion, Saint-Sauveur, Saint-Dalmas, Saint-Martin-Vésubie (58, 70 ou 82 km).
Day 13 - Saint-Martin-Vésubie, La Bollène, Col de Turini, Sospel, Col de Braus, l'Escarène, Drap, Nice (76 or 95 km).
Day 14 – Trip to Nice airport and return trip to Montreal.

Itinerary subject to change.

FULL-COMFORT PACKAGE

By selecting the Vélo Québec Voyages full-comfort package, you are opting to alternate between pleasures: the perfect balance between effort during the day and well-deserved rest in a hotel, no matter what your destination. And since we take care of everything—reservations, baggage transportation, mechanical assistance, route planning—all you have to do is make the most of your trip, at your own pace, by combining the pleasures of bicycle tourism with occasional revelations, interesting encounters, boundless enthusiasm and sheer delight.

You can also count at all times on the discreet but highly effective presence of our guides. They have all received first-aid training and have acquired useful bicycle-tourism expertise. More than mere guides, they are genuine travel enthusiasts—curious, passionate teachers with great respect for the host countries. Better yet, our guides put their personal imprint on their routes and know how to make your trip an unforgettable journey. So with us, you will receive all the assistance you need while remaining as free as a bird. Now that’s peace of mind!

More details

ON THE ROAD
The routes are not marked, but you will be provided with a detailed map each day. Optional routes will allow you to extend certain segments. Our guides will also be on hand to help you find the many hidden treasures in each region. They will also be able to assist you and get you back on the road if you run into minor problems (adjustments, flat tires, etc.). And if you are unable to complete your day of cycling, due to fatigue, sickness or a major mechanical problem, the relief vehicle will take you and your bicycle to the next stopover town.

THE COMFORTS PROVIDED
You will stay in double rooms at two-, three- or four-star hotels. Day in and day out, your baggage will transported to your hotel, so you don’t have to worry about a thing. All you have to do is carry a bag containing the personal items you need for the day. Our packages include all breakfasts as well as some evening meals at restaurants or hotels. You are free to eat lunch where you please. Vegetarian menus (which may include fish) will also be offered to those who specify their preference for such meals when they reserve their trip.

The full-comfort packages include:

for certain destinations, air transportation for passengers and their bicycles (if available);
bus, train, ferry trip and domestic flight (if necessary);
accommodations in two-, three- or four-star hotels, double occupancy;
all breakfasts;
some evening meals (excluding all beverages, alcoholic or not);
baggage transportation (one bag per person, 15-kg maximum);
mechanical assistance and access to a relief vehicle;
daily route plans;
the presence of one or two experienced guides.

The prices include taxes and the $3.50 contribution per $1,000 of services purchased to the Compensation Fund for Customers of Travel Agents.
Equipment (e.g., bicycle) is not included.
You are responsible for getting to the starting point on your own, to the airport in the case of trips including air transportation or to the appointed meeting place for North American destinations. In the latter case, we encourage you to take advantage of our carpool matching service by posting a ride-offered or -wanted notice on our Web site.
Individual travellers may be paired with a person of the same sex. Single-occupancy accommodations can be purchased at an additional cost.

CONSULTANTS AT YOUR SERVICE
Our consultants can meet all of your travel needs (trip extensions, car rentals, children’s rates, etc.). Please note that you can choose the land-only portion of the package, which excludes air transportation for participants and their bicycles, as well as the trips between the airport and the hotel at the destination. For certain destinations, the number of packages including air transportation for passengers and their bicycles is limited. Ask our consultants for more information.

CYCLE OVERSEAS WITH VÉLO QUÉBEC VOYAGES
Choosing to travel overseas is to opt for the biggest possible change of scenery. Culture, language, cuisine, geography—absolutely everything can be different. And to ensure that all these changes remain pleasurable, our entire team works hard to make things easy for you and help you adapt. With us, there’s zero stress! We are very familiar with the regions visited and the routes taken, and we offer you exceptionally well-planned vacations. So you will be very well taken care of while remaining as free as a bird.

Everyone is obviously not looking for the same thing. So we have created two different types of overseas routes: one for contemplative travellers, who like to take time to explore and experience the many charms of landscapes; and another designed to please high-performance cyclists, who are eager to tackle challenges they have heard so much about.
So, bucolic or energetic?

Liens utiles

Crossing the Alps

August 20 to September 3, 2010

Trip length: 14 days / 13 nights

Price (taxes included): $3,895

Route rating: 6

Destination

Itinerary and map

Package

Full-comfort package

General Conditions

Contact one of our cycling travel advisors