Wide-Angle View of the Alps

Breakfast. Meet on the esplanade in front of the town hall, the official starting point of the Route des Grandes Alpes (RGA), for the Km Zero photo. Ride toward Chablais. The first pass of the trip, Col du Corbier (1,237 m), is just an appetizer compared to what awaits. 

Then head to Morzine and on to Samoëns in the Giffre Valley. On the way you'll have the rather incongruous pleasure of riding a small road that becomes a ski slope in winter on the Morzine and Les Gets domains. 

Short transit via Cluses in the Arve Valley, then up to the Col de la Colombière, well known among cyclists. Along the way, admire the beautiful Chartreuse du Reposoir. After passing through Le Grand Bornand and La Clusaz in the heart of the Aravis massif, climb to Col de la Croix-Fry, then ride toward Manigod and the lovely Sulens Valley. The descent continues to the shores of Lake Annecy. 

Check-in at the hotel. Dinner not included. Overnight by the lake, in Talloires or nearby. 

Leave the shores of Lake Annecy toward Ugine, then cross the Arly Valley and climb to Col des Saisies (1,633 m). After Hauteluce, descend to Beaufort then Arêches. Things get serious with about a dozen tight hairpins leading to Col du Pré (1,703 m). A postcard stop to admire mountain reflections in the turquoise waters of Lake Roselend, before crossing the dam. Lunch on the lake shore (many options). Then on to the Cormet de Roselend at 1,967 m. 

Descend toward Bourg-Saint-Maurice at the gateway to Tarentaise, then head for the Col du Petit Saint-Bernard via a series of very enjoyable switchbacks. The views over Tarentaise are magnificent... Base in La Rosière, a small alpine ski resort 7 km before the pass. That said, nothing stops you from riding up to the pass (2,188 m) to roll into Italy for the first time...

Check-in at the hotel. Dinner not included. Overnight in La Rosière.

Although the stage is not very long, it gives you the chance to fully enjoy its highlights. Descend into the Tarentaise Valley via Sainte-Foy and its hamlets, then head for Val d'Isère at the foot of your first legendary pass: the Iseran! The climb is impressive, with back views over Val d'Isère and Lake Chevril. You'll spot your first 'pass photographers' posted near a bend close to the summit to capture a great action shot of you!

You are in the heart of Vanoise National Park. Once over the pass, descend into Haute Maurienne. Recommended stop in Bonneval-sur-Arc, a beautiful listed village with stone houses and slate roofs. Head for Val Cenis, from where you may push up to Col du Mont-Cenis at 2,085 m. Then follow the Arc River before climbing to Valloire, today's stop. It's a very pleasant village at the gateway to the Galibier. 

Check-in at the hotel. Dinner not included. Overnight in Valloire

Today's stage is not long, but beware: the mileage is deceiving when you're carving bends and visiting! Your first feat will be crossing the legendary Col du Galibier at 2,642 m. It's a bogeyman for cyclists and the summit will be busy with people taking photos in front of the sign... 

Descend to Col du Lautaret (2,058 m) and then to Briançon at the foot of the Serre-Chevalier ski area in Écrins National Park. This former garrison town is worth a stop for its fortress and old town fortified by Vauban. A great atmosphere that recalls nearby Provence. Leave Briançon to cross the last pass of the day—another big one—Col de l'Izoard (2,362 m). Stop for a drink at Refuge Napoléon, one of the must-see points of the 'RGA'... Enter the Queyras Regional Natural Park for a final stretch to Saint-Véran, also listed among the Most Beautiful Villages of France. 

Check-in at the hotel. Dinner not included. Overnight in St-Véran.

A day where you control your schedule, as you stay a second night in St-Véran. 

Ideal for visiting and enjoying this adorable listed village with incomparable charm. Or for roaming the wild spaces of Queyras, one of our fellow countrymen's favorite regions! 

And those who can't sit still can always hop back on the bikes and ride toward Col Agnel, Italy's 2nd highest pass (2,744 m!) after Stelvio, and discover the beautiful listed village of Chianale in Piedmont. 

This 55 km out-and-back is a must. And the icing on the cake: the hairpins down to Chianale are particularly demanding. 

Dinner not included. Overnight in St-Véran.

Leave Queyras heading south and begin a climb to Col de Vars. At 2,108 m, it marks the boundary between Hautes-Alpes and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, and between Queyras and the Ubaye Valley. You're getting closer to the Mediterranean, but the biggest challenge is still to come... 

The Cime de la Bonette will be the highest point of the trip at 2,860 m! If the sign proudly claims 'The highest road in Europe', it is actually the highest road... in France. At the top the view is incredible, stretching over Ubaye to the north and Tinée to the south. You are in the Alpes-Maritimes, and Nice is only a little over 100 km to the south...

After Camp des Fourches, the route continues south through Mercantour National Park via Saint-Etienne-de-Tinée and St-Sauveur-Sur-Tinée, where you turn west. After some beautiful hairpins and the lovely perched villages of Roure and Roubion, reach today's stop: Beuil. 

Check-in at the hotel. Dinner not included. Overnight in Beuil.

Leave the RGA for a plunge into southern scents. After an unmissable stroll through the adorable medieval village of Péone (our favorite!), follow the glowing red Daluis Gorge, then detour via Entrevaux. While this small town is known for its citadel overlooking the Var, its small Motorcycle Museum is especially interesting: 75 bikes in perfect working order, including (among other wonders) a 1925 750 FN 4-cylinder, a 1950 Gillet Herstal 98cc, a 1917 vintage Harley, as well as Triumphs, BSAs, Terrots, Puchs...

Then head toward Castellane via tiny backroads... Stop in Rougon for a break facing the Verdon peaks, before descending to the final highlight of the day: the Route des Crêtes along the southern rim of the Verdon. 24 km of pure bliss! Arrival at your base late in the day in Moustiers-Ste-Marie, a beautiful listed village on the edge of Lake Sainte-Croix. 

Check-in at the hotel. Dinner not included. Overnight in Moustiers or very nearby.

Set off for a stage scented with lavender, taking you into Vaucluse. After crossing fields of blooming lavender, head to Forcalquier, the ideal spot for a lunch break in the shade of plane trees. Then you'll reach the mythical Mont Ventoux, the last 'giant' of the journey, at 1,909 m. 

A true landmark for miles around, you'll leave it via the west or south side to descend to the lovely villages bordering the Dentelles de Montmirail, amid the Côtes du Rhône vineyards with thirst-inducing names: Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Rasteau, Sablet... 

Spend the evening to the sound of cicadas in the heart of this beautiful region! 

Check-in at the hotel. Dinner not included. Overnight in Séguret or nearby.

Leave the Dentelles de Montmirail for a first stop in Vaison-la-Romaine to soak up its lovely medieval district on the south bank of the Ouvèze. A short passage via the Toulourenc Gorge and you arrive in Buis-les-Baronnies, in the heart of the Baronnies Provençales Regional Natural Park, also renowned for its lavender fields.

Then climb toward the magnificent Vercors massif south of Grenoble. Small detour via Pont-en-Royans after enjoying the bends along the superb cliffside road of Combe Laval. With its houses built into the mountainside, narrow streets, and famous suspended houses over the Bourne riverbanks, it's an unmissable stop! A final segment in the heart of Vercors brings you to today's stop near Villard-de-Lans or Corrençon-en-Vercors, two charming towns with winter skiing. 

Check-in at your hotel. Dinner and evening at leisure. Overnight in Villard-de-Lans or Corrençon.

Follow the ridge lines of Vercors Regional Natural Park before descending to Grenoble, one of the largest Alpine metropolises. No need to linger—better to quickly climb back up toward Chartreuse. Famous for its deep-white limestone cliffs and green slopes, the massif is also known for its liqueur, produced since the early 17th century by the monks of Grande-Chartreuse. You can visit the museum, but not the monastery, which is still active.

Leave Chartreuse and descend to Chambéry in the Combe de Savoie. For wine lovers, this is where you find Savoie's finest crus made from Jacquère, Altesse, Roussanne, or Mondeuse grapes. Leave Chambéry to climb due north toward the Bauges massif, then reach the shores of Lake Annecy, the final point of this beautiful journey. 

Check-in at the hotel. Dinner and evening at leisure. Overnight in Annecy.

For those who rented a motorcycle departing from Annemasse: ride to the rental company (50 km), transfer to Annemasse train station or Geneva airport. Depending on train/flight schedules, it is possible to plan an overnight stay in Annemasse or Geneva, as well as transfers (contact us). For others: end of guiding in Annecy.
Contact us for any extension or combined stay request.