Geneva to Annecy: famous mountain passes in Savoie

About

Created with experienced cyclists in mind, this tour takes in 3 of the most beautiful lakes in Europe: Lake Geneva, Lac d'Annecy and Lac du Bourget. Following the route of the Tour de France, you will discover stunning panoramic views and ride through typical Savoyard villages.

Day 1 (Friday or Sunday): Arrival in Geneva
Arrive in Geneva at your leisure. Take time to discover this international city and its alluring lake on your own. In the beautiful old town, you’ll find authentic Swiss restaurants; for international fare, plenty of restaurants are located in the Paquis district. Depending on the option you choose, you will lodge in downtown Geneva or across the border in a quiet French suburb.

Day 2 (Saturday or Monday): Geneva -Seyssel (via Le Col de Richemond and Le Col de La Biche)
In the morning, our staff will meet you at the hotel and provide you with all the necessary materials (our kit includes marked maps, detailed route notes, tourist information, and a pre-loaded GPS or a phone App) for the next few days’ adventure. Start your cycling tour by riding through pretty Swiss villages such as Avully, Cartigny, Russin, and Chancy before entering France through the Usses valley. Ride upward through the Jura Mountains and the passes of Col de Richemond – included in the 2012 Tour de France - and Col de la Biche. The stage ends in the charming town of Seyssel, which straddles the Rhône River.

Day 3 (Sunday or Tuesday): Seyssel - Aix-Les-Bains (via Le Grand Colombier)
From Seyssel, you cycle through the wine-growing region of Chautagne before riding through Culoz at the foot of the Col du Grand Colombier, one of France's most challenging mountain passes. Making its Tour de France début in 2012, Colombier's steepest section has a punishing gradient of 10.2% — but all that effort will be rewarded with spectacular views of the region. After visiting the pretty village of Chanaz, the route takes you to the shores of Lake Bourget, whose brilliant blue waters are home to more than 30 species of fish and various rare birds. As France's largest lake, it’s also a top destination for windsurfing, kayaking, water-skiing, diving, and a range of other sports. The ride ends at the foot of the Alps in Aix-les-Bains, Bourget's most important town and a popular spa resort. Investigate Roman ruins or amble through lush gardens before heading to the town's historic center, where bustling cafés and first-rate restaurants exude Belle Époque charm.

Day 4 (Monday or Wednesday): Aix-Les-Bains - Sainte-Hélène-sur-Isère or Coise-Saint-Jean-Pied-Gauthier (via Les Bauges)
Today’s ride will take you out of Aix-les-Bains and towards Sainte-Hélène-sur-Isère on some of the region’s best-kept secret cycling routes. Passing on small roads, you will truly feel like a local after today’s ride. With nearly 2,080m (9,185 ft) of total climbing, this ride takes you by Mont Revard, which is part of the Bauges mountain range. While not as well-known like some of the other mountain ranges in the area, the Bauges mountain range will not disappoint! The Tour de France has climbed it 5 times, passing most recently in 2013. In 1972, the stage between Aix-les-Bains and Mont Revard was, by its distance of 28km/17 miles, one of the shortest stages of the history of the Tour de France. Your ride will end in either in the picturesque towns of Sainte-Hélène-sur-Isère or Coise, depending on your hotel preference.

Day 5 (Tuesday or Thursday): Sainte-Hélène-sur-Isère/Coise - Annecy (via Col des Saisies and Col des Aravis)
The final ride of the tour first takes you to Annecy via the Olympic town of Albertville, home of the 1992 Winter Games. On your way, you will ride two famous mountain passes. First up is the more challenging Col des Saisies, a regular part of the Tour, with a climb of around 15km/9 miles and an average gradient of 6.4%. Next up is the Col des Aravis, also featured in the Tour almost 40 times, with an ascent of around 19km/11 miles and a gradient of 4.6%. The ride ends by Lake Annecy, which hosted a time trial in the 2009 Tour and was featured in the 2013 Tour de France. Canals crisscross the medieval town center – hence its “Venice of the Savoy” nom de plume — and a medieval castle dominates. For a truly relaxing end to your holiday, take a dip in Lake Annecy's turquoise waters or simply sunbathe on its shores.

Day 6 (Wednesday or Friday): Departure
After breakfast, you’re free to depart at the time of your choice. Before you do, consider strolling through the old part of Annecy, one of France’s prettiest towns.

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