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Etape 3. Savoy Haute Alpes
Tour de France

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9 days

Grenoble to Annecy 

11 July - 19 July

Distance: From 700-830km

Twin Share $4,400 AUD

Your own room + $670 AUD

Couple $6,550 AUD

The Northern Alpes from Grenoble to Annecy is not only offers the greatest climbs in Europe in such a tight area but is the hot spot for cycling tourism and the scenery is one of the reasons millions are glued to the TV in July to not only see the Tour de France but the amazing scenery and that is exactly what we are going to experience.

Our tour through Savoy will cross paths with the Tour de France at 2 iconic locations to give you a deep respect for the circus and pick up some souvenirs. From Grenoble, all the way up to Alsace we will enjoy more northern European influences, Fondu, Yodelling and green fields with blond girls called Heidi.  Putting aside all of that stuff we see in the movies aside, we are here for the steep rocky views and green mountain smooth roads, the Savoy cuisine and conquering famous mountains. If you have travelled with us from the south, you will notice the distinct difference in countryside, architecture, culture and food. It is hard to pick a favourite place to ride but we and many others hold the Savoy region as one of the best.

* We recommend that you arrive in Grenoble after lunch on the 10th. This will give you time to settle in and prepare for Alpe d'Huez. There is a sneaky option to also join us on the 9th for a ride into Les Deux Alpes.

•We recommend that you stay in Annecy for a few more days, there are 2 more rides before we head into Switzerland.

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     Highlights

  • Col du Lauteret / Col du Galibiere

  • Col de la Croix de Fer / Col du Glandon

  • Alpe d''Huez / Col du Searenne

  • Les Deux Alpes (and Telecabin)

  • The Balcony rides

  • Lacets of Montvernier

  • 2 Days on the Tour de France

  • Le Grand Colombier

  • Merebel and the new alpine cycle road

  • Courcheval airport

  • Col du Forclaz

  • Lac Annecy and Village

Accommodation

  • Carefully chosen 3-4* quality hotels

  • Twin-share or room to yourself *POA

  • See below day descriptions for hotels lis

Meals and snacks

  • Breakfast Included

  • Some Dinners included on some trips *TBA

  • We provide during the day electrolytes,  drinks, fresh fruit, muesli bars

 

 Bike Hire

Specialized Tarmac disk low gear ration Carbon Road Bike / Ultegra; $65 AUD per day

Specialized Roubaix disk low gear ration Carbon Road Bike / Ultegra; $65 AUD per day

Specialized e-bike SL (superlight); $120 AUD per day

 

Payment details.

The initial deposit is $1000 120 days before travel, with free cancellation and a full refund. Full payment is required 60 days prior to departure.

 

*We suggest that you have comprehensive travel insurance in place before your payment to protect your trip

Our tours include

  • Small groups maximum of 12 guests travelling as a boutique tour

  • Qualified guide with you on the road

  • On-route vehicle support van

  • Ride options for beginners and advanced riders

  • Rider tracking, we know where you are on the road

  • Our mechanics maintain and make any repairs to your bike

  • bikeNOW bikes available (see below)

  • Airport / Rail station pick-up  included * conditions apply

  • GPS maps and mapping plus device management included

  • Non-rider activities, we have a fun program if you are not riding

  • Adapting the program to suit the conditions and group

  • Assembling and repacking your bike if you bring your own

  • A Flight bag is provided to borrow free and includes us preparing your bike for travel

 

The Tour Price Excludes

  • Airfares and extra accommodation

  • Travel Insurance – you must travel with insurance

  • Any Meals, or alcohol not indicated in the itinerary

 

Arrival Details

10am 11th July 2023

Fly into Paris (CDG) Nice (NCE), then train Grenoble via Lyon on TGV (fast train)

Departure Details

10am 19th July 2023

If not continuing, depart shuttle to Annecy then fly from GEN Geneva airport

Day 1    -          11/07/2023     

Hotel: Hotel Les Lutins, Les Deux Alpes.

2 Star.

Activity-Alpe d'Huez

80km    1800m LEVEL 7 – CHALLENGE 

85km    2660m LEVEL 10 - CHALLENGE

*Interactive route map below

 

Day 1, BANG, we are into it!  We start in the Alpes with Alpe d’Huez. It is okay if you are not ready for a big ride first day. Because we are leaving from Les Deux Alpes with a big downhill ride to Borg d’Osains, then we have all day to ride 13km of Alpe d’Huez. Then the end of the climb we could descend and then take the Venosc Telecabin back to the accommodation for an easy finish but, if you are keen for a big day out, our ‘Red’ ride offers the premium balcony ride and Cole du Searenne.

Our accommodation is not our usual 3+ star as it does not have a restaurant, elevator or pool but, we choose this hotel as one of our favourites! 8.8/10 approval, log cabin feel, mountain views, surrounded by great restaurants. 

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Day 2    -          12/07/2023

Hotel: Hotel le Marintan,

St Michael du Maurienne.

3 Star accommodation

  

Activity- Col du Galibier

Col du Glandon / Col de la Croix de fer

Galibiere - 80km           2197m LEVEL 8 - CHALLENGE

Glandon - 103km          2321m LEVEL 9 - CHALLENGE

 *interactive route maps below 

        

We are among the big stuff and we have a task to head into the next Valley of the Iseran River and there are 2 ways. We will discuss each ride the day before and choose the best on the day or offer both. We have Col du Galibier via Col du Lautaret or Col du Glandon / Croix de fer

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Day 3    -          13/07/2023    

Hotel: Kyriad Chambury Centre,

Chambury. (2 nights)

3 Star.

 

Activity Valley ride to Chambery

92km    732m   LEVEL 5 - INTERMEDIATE

109km 1938m LEVEL 8 - CHALLENGE

*interactive route maps below  Chambery

From St Michael du Maurienne, we will sense the Tour de France coming closer to the Savoy region. We head down the green Iseran valley to acquaint ourselves with Chambery for a few days. Yes, some nice descending before a red ride over a few hills on the way to Chambery. There is also the option to ride the famous Lacets of Montvernier.

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Day 4    -          14/07/2023     

Hotel: Kyriad Chambury Centre,

Chambury. (2 nights)

3 Star.

 

Activity-Tour de France

111km 2498m LEVEL 10 - CHALLENGE

From Chambery, we are in striking range to not only see the Tour but to be on Grand Colombier with views back to Lac du Bourget. This climb has the iconic lacets you see in the highlights of the Tour de France coverage and one of the most stunning views to Aix les Bains across the lake with a picnic lunch.

Although we have a big ride planned, there will be the option to take the support car to and from the town of Culoz at the base of the last climb. Today could also be a great rest day or ride as little or as much as you want.

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Day 5    -          15/07/2023

Hotel: La Tavern,

Meribel. 

Activity Chambery - Meribel

98km    2014m LEVEL 9 - CHALLENGE

*interactive route maps below

The Tour de France is coming again tomorrow but today we have a task of our own, making your holiday fantastic! We are heading back into the mountains to the famous ski town of Meribel for a bit of the good ol’ trusted ski resort altitude accommodation. We have a very green 80km ride on almost flat riding until we begin our climb up Merebel which we will call home for 2 nights.

The tavern is a party hotel in winter but in summer it is used as a mountain retreat. If you have not yet sampled the savoy cuisine, white wine fondu and other mountain specialities will be on the menu tonight. We are now again in range for seeing the tour for a second time and exploring the area.

Day 6    -          16/07/2023  

Hotel: La Tavern,

Meribel. 

Activity-Tourde France, Forclaz

31km    744m   LEVEL 2 - EASY

93km    1204m LEVEL 7 – CHALLENGE

*interactive route maps below

The Tour de France is passing earlier in the day over Col de Forclaz, we have the option to ride to the tour, or home from the tour with our support van available for the shuttle or, you can have a hero day and ride to the tour and back to Meribel if you have the legs. You can also leave the bike at home for a day to explore Albertville and see the tour on foot. If you want a day to relax we have a day at the lodge. There is yet another option to ride Col du Madelaine. Today we have it all for anybody.

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Day 7    -          17/07/2023    

Hotel: Brit Hotel Florimont,

Albertville/ Saint-Ferréol, France. .

3 Star Accomodation

 

Activity-Courcheval

68km    658m   LEVEL 4 - INTERMEDIATE

92km    1659m LEVEL 8 – CHALLENGE

*interactive route maps below

We have been following the development of Meribel and Courcheval resorts for cycling over the last few years. The mountains are moving to focus on cycling during summer. You may know Courcheval as the ski jump airport featured in the opening of a 007 Bond film and said to be one of the most difficult to fly in and out of. The cycle route between resorts is closed to vehicles and free for cyclists to traverse the high mountains and we must explore. There are some steep bits according to the report but it is designed for road cyclists and we have all day. Alternatively, you can shuttle by support car to Courcheval. After Courcheval, we have a big gentle descent then a long flat green valley to Saint Ferrol. Today once again we have an option for all but not all options are listed. We have a few tricks up our sleeve to keep everybody happy!

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Day 8    -          18/07/2023

Hotel: Best Western Hotel International,

Annecy.

3 Star.

 

Activity-Road to Annecy           

92km    1549m LEVEL 7 – CHALLENGE

30km    178m Level 2 - EASY

*interactive route maps below  

Some would say “nothing to see here”. Today we have nothing iconic, nothing from magazines or in the tour coverage but, each time we ride this route, it is a favourite. South of Annecy there is a mountain range like a big tooth molar, with green rural farmland and vineyards. But no tourists or cars, great views, smooth roads, and finally riding down to the lake and around to Annecy. Just one of the most beautiful days to be on a bike! Alternatively, you can ride a leisurely flat short ride direct along the the lake to Annecy.

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Day 9    -          19/07/2023

Today is a pack-up day because sadly, the Savoy Alpes tour is over however if you want a little more, you can stay with us a few more days to ride Forclaz and Semnos, or better still, stay with us for the next tour all the way through to Lake Como after riding Switzerland.

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Below is your complete interactive guide to each ride day by day.

You can change the type of map in the top right-hand corner.

You can zoom in or out with the +/- button bottom right,

Drag the little yellow man to see the street view (depending type on the map selected)

Navigate the selection along the bottom to find the day you want to review.

You can open or download the interactive map to view all info including climbs.

 

*You may need to wait for the interactive map to load depending on the speed of your connection or device.

*If the interactive map below does not load, please try a different browser or visit bikenoweurope.com on desktop, we suggest for best compatibility use Chrome, Safari, Edge ect.

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