Cycling in the French Alps
The French Alps region is located in the east of the country and border both Switzerland and Italy. There are so many amazing climbs to be found in this region. These include the infamous climbs of Alpe d’Huez, the Col du Galibier and the Col d’Izoard to name just a few. We have split the French Alps into five areas for the purpose of grouping rides and places to stay. For each of the five regions we have compiled a list of cycling routes and towns to stay in to help you plan out your trip.
Our map of the French Alps below shows you where the towns and climbs are located in relation to each other. This will also help to guide you in where to base yourself on your French Alps cycling holiday, in order to tackle each of the famous climbs.
Annecy Region
Visit here to ride: Semnoz, Col de la Columbiere, Col de la Forclaz, Col des Aravis, Mont du Chat and the Lake Annecy loops
Stay in: Annecy
Get here by: air, rail, bus or car
Local transport hub: Annecy
Closest international airport: Lyon or Geneva
Le Bourg d’Oisans Region
Visit here to ride: Alpe d’Huez, Col du Galibier, Les Deux Alpes, Col de la Croix de Fer, Col du Glandon and the Col du Lautaret.
Stay in: Bourg-d’Oisans, Allemond or Venosc
Get here by: air, rail, bus or car
Local transport hub: Grenoble
Closest international airport: Lyon
Maurienne Valley
Visit here to ride: Col de la Madeleine, Col du Glandon, Col de la Croix de Fer, Col du Telegraph and the Col du Galibier.
Stay in: Saint Jean de Maurienne, Saint Jean de Michel
Get here by: air, rail, bus or car
Local transport hub: Saint Jean de Maurienne
Closest international airport: Lyon, and Turin.
Serre Chevalier Valley
Visit here to ride: Col d’Izoard, Col du Galibier, Col du Lautaret and the Col du Granon.
Stay in: Briançon or Monetier les Bains
Get here by: Air, rail or car
Local transport hub: Briançon
Closest international airport: Lyon and Geneva
Chamonix Valley
Visit here to ride: Col des Montets, Plaine Joux, Col des Aravis, Col de la Forclaz, Col de la Colombiere and Lac d’Emosson.
Stay in: Chamonix, Les Houches or Argentière
Get here by: Air, rail, bus or car
Local transport hub: Chamonix
Closest international airport: Geneva