Road bike France
Discover hidden roads, stunning gorges, and cols of Savoie, Dauphiné, and Provence—with Mont VentouxRef CR19
This Alpine road bike crossing is a true insider's tip. We start at the picturesque lake of Annecy in High Savoy and cross the little-known French Prealps which stretch like a string of pearls to the Côte d'Azur. Most of the mountain ranges we pass by are nature parks which protect the beauty of their landscapes and their authentic rural character. Their names may speak for themselves: Bauges, Chartreuse, Vercors, Diois, Baronnies, Monts de Vaucluse, Luberon, Verdon, Esterel. The main strength of this crossing is the peacefulness of the small mountain roads and their outstanding scenic character. A multitude of superb passes on a "human" scale with, in passing, the ascent of the mythical Mont Ventoux. Last stop: The Mediterranean Sea. Without doubt, this crossing is a must-do on your bucket list that will surprise you.
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Physical level :
Physical level :
Highlights
- Very typical mid-mountain ranges.
- Small mountain roads, most of them very quiet.
- The evolution from the alpine landscapes of the Northern Alps to the "Provencal Alps".
- The ascent of the "Giant of Provence" during this trip: the Ventoux...
Description
Day 1: Annecy – Saint-Pierre-d’Entremont
Itinerary start: We will meet you on day 1 at 9am next to the SNCF train station in Annecy (precise meeting point given in the travel documents). The driver of the support vehicle will welcome you at the main exit of the station, take care of your luggage and give you your lunch or food for the day so that you can leave directly by bike.
Passes of the day:
- Col de Leschaux, 897 m.
- Col de Plainpalais, 1173 m.
- Col du Granier, 1164 m.
Highlights:
- The tour of Lake Annecy, one of the most beautiful in the Alps
- The Bauges Regional Natural Park: authenticity, tranquillity...
- Between the Bauges and the Chartreuse, an itinerary in the heart of the Savoyard vineyards (Chignin, Apremont...).
- The ascent of the Granier pass
Distance and altitude gain:
- Level 2: approx. 105 km and 2400 m
- Level 3: approx. 110 km and 2500 m
Day 2: Saint-Pierre-d’Entremont – La-Chapelle-en-Vercors
Passes of the day:
- Col du Cucheron, 1139 m. (level 2)
- Col de Porte, 1326 m.
- Lans en Vercors, 1001 m.
Highlights:
- The superb crossing of the Chartreuse Regional Park, a small haven of peace suspended between forests, mountain pastures and authentic villages.
- A special day in the gorges! Guiers Vif and Guiers Mort, Bourne and Grands Goulets (level 3)
- The possible return trip to the Grande Chartreuse convent, where the famous liqueur is made...
- The Vercors plateau and its large forests of fir and spruce trees.
- The gigantic landslide on the Grands Goulets road.
Distance and altitude gain:
- Level 2: approx. 110 km and 2700 m.
- Level 3: approx. 120 km and 3200 m.
Day 3: La-Chapelle-en-Vercors – La Motte Chalancon
Passes of the day:
- Col de Carri, 1202 m. (level 3)
- Col de la Chau, 1337 m. (level 3)
- Col du Rousset, 1254 m.
- Col des Roustans, 1003 m.
Highlights:
- The north-south crossing of the Vercors plateau, one of the first French parks: superb coniferous forests, typical villages in the middle of pastures, valleys where it is good to ride and watch the landscapes go by...
- The Rousset pass: quite a symbol! It is here that the switch to "the south" seems to take place, with regard to the vegetation and the houses. A real plunge into the country of the famous Clairette de Die.
- The magnificent Roanne valley: a small road on a balcony overlooking the river.
- The small wild mountain roads of the Diois.
Distance and altitude gain:
- Level 2: approx. 100 km and 1500 m.
- Level 3: approx. 120 km and 2050 m.
Day 4: La Motte Chalancon – Bédoin
Passes of the day:
- Col de la Fromagère, 1081 m. (level 3)
- Col de Soubeyrand, 990 m.
- Col de Peyruergue, 794 m.
- Mont Ventoux, 1909 m. (ascent from Malaucène on level 2, ascent from Bédoin on level 3)
Highlights:
- The little secret passes of the Barronnies: a poetic mix between the Alps and Provence...
- Buis les Barronnies: a very pleasant village for a little break on a terrace !
- The Dentelles de Montmirail: perched limestone lacework overlooking the vineyards of Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Beaumes-de-Venise...
- The Mont Ventoux, you've been waiting for it for so long!
Distance and altitude gain:
- Level 2: approx. 105 km and 2100 m.
- Level 3: approx. 110 km and 2600 m.
Day 5: Bédoin – Quinson
Passes of the day:
- No pass planned for today, but a succession of "bumps" in the Luberon and Monts du Vaucluse, ideal to recover after the Ventoux...
Highlights:
- The route through the Gorges de la Nesque
- The crossing of the Monts du Vaucluse, its gentle relief, its lavender fields, its stone villages
- The foothills of the Luberon, a region rich in heritage and famous for its ochre quarries.
- The crossing of the Durance and the Verdon Regional Nature Park
Distance and altitude gain:
- Level 2 and 3: approx. 150 km and 2500 m.
Day 6: Quinson – Castellane
Passes of the day:
- The Corniche Sublime, above the Verdon, 1002 m.
- Col de Clavel, 1063 m.
- Col de Valferrière, 1169 m.
Highlights:
- The Valensole plateau and its lavender fields
- The picturesque village of Moustiers Sainte Marie
- The lake of Sainte-Croix, from its shores, then from the ascent to Aiguines, a perched village overlooking it
- The panoramic views over the Grand Canyon du Verdon from the "Corniche Sublime"
Distance and altitude gain:
- Level 2: approx. 110 km and 2200 m.
- Level 3: approx. 155 km and 3600 m.
Day 7: Castellane – Fréjus
I spy with my little eye..... the sea! There is almost nothing left to do but to let yourself go down, unless you have the desire and the courage to go for a nice loop in the Esterel massif...
Highlights:
- Riding knowing that the sea is not far away, and realising where you started from... A very pleasant feeling! And finally, the arrival at the sea!
- The (optional) loop in the Esterel massif and then the seaside, between Agay and Saint-Raphaël.
Distance and altitude gain:
- Level 2 and 3: approx. 90 km and 1200 m.
Itinerary end: The trip ends at the Fréjus SNCF station from 12 noon. Usually, before the separation, we enjoy a small meal at the restaurant on the seafront (not included in the price). Extra night in Fréjus or return transfer to Annecy available with our support vehicle (leaves 2pm)
Distances and altitude gain are an indication only and may vary.
